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Guides to AI video costs and APIs

What each model costs per second and per episode, how app credits compare with API prices, and how to set up keys without surprise bills. Prices are checked every month.

10 guides · updated 1 Nov 2026

Start here, in this order

  1. AI video API pricing in 2026 and a sample 46-shot budgetCompare selected Veo, Runway, Kling and Seedance rates checked on 6 November 2026.
  2. How to budget for a 46-shot AI episodeSee the estimated video charges by shot group, with a 15% reserve for retries.
  3. Connect your own API key and check the first billConfirm the endpoint, review the provider’s billing settings and run a test shot.
AI video costs and API pricing — 1 AI video costs and API pricing — 2
Production workflow visual from Scena Studio: AI video costs and API pricing

Model prices

Per-second prices by model and tier, with the date checked.

Budgets and keys

Episode budgets, credits versus API, and key setup.

All verified guides in this topic shown above · Tested on Scena Studio v1.1.0 Browse all 9 blog topics →

Questions people ask

How much does AI video cost per second?

Rates depend on the provider, endpoint, resolution and audio mode. The table gives examples and the date checked.

Read the answer: AI video API pricing in 2026 and a sample 46-shot budget

How much does a 46-shot AI episode cost?

The sample budget comes to $21.88 for generation, or $25.16 with a 15% retry reserve. Add stills, audio and editing separately.

Read the answer: How to budget for a 46-shot AI episode

Is the API cheaper than an app subscription?

Compare the price per usable shot on each plan. Include the subscription fee, used allowance and any billed rerenders.

Read the answer: How to compare app credits with API costs

About this topic

AI video prices change often and are quoted in different units: credits, seconds, tokens. A fair comparison needs one unit, the cost of a usable second, and a date.

The guides here give dated prices, episode budgets and the setup for each service’s keys and billing.

Model guides and prompts Prompting Kling, Veo, Seedance, Hailuo, Wan, Vidu, Runway, Luma and LTX, version by version. Comparisons and alternatives Same shot list, same characters, different tools: comparisons with real costs. Script to screen Shot lists, storyboards and overnight queues: the production line between a script and an episode.