The best AI video models in 2026, compared

By the ShortsMachine team · Updated

There are now dozens of AI video models, and new ones arrive every month. We test them for one job — making narrated short-form and long-form videos — and keep the ones that are reliable, fast enough and fairly priced. These are the 15 models available in ShortsMachine today.

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All models at a glance

ModelMakerResolutionClip lengthFormatsSoundPlan
Wan 2.2 FastAlibaba480p5s16:9, 9:16Voiceover onlyStarter
HeyGen Video 1HeyGen768p5–15s16:9, 9:16Voiceover + model audioStarter
Pruna P-VideoPruna AI720p1–10s16:9, 9:16, 1:1Voiceover onlyCreator
Grok Imagine 1.5 LitexAI720p1–15s16:9, 9:16, 1:1Voiceover onlyCreator
MiniMax H3MiniMax768p5s16:9Voiceover + model audioPro
Wan 3.0Alibaba720p5s16:9, 9:16, 1:1Voiceover + model audioPro
Grok Video ProxAI720p1–15s16:9, 9:16Voiceover onlyPro
FLUX 3 MaxBlack Forest Labs720p5–20s16:9, 9:16, 1:1Voiceover + model audioPro
Kling 3.0Kuaishou720p3–15s16:9, 9:16, 1:1Voiceover + model audioPremium
Seedance 2.0 MiniByteDance720p4–10s16:9, 9:16, 1:1Voiceover + model audioPremium
Wan 2.7Alibaba720p2–15s16:9, 9:16, 1:1Voiceover + model audioPremium
Veo 3.1 FastGoogle1080p4/6/8s16:9, 9:16Voiceover + model audioClip pack
Gemini Omni FlashGoogle1080p3–10s16:9, 9:16Voiceover + model audioClip pack
Seedance 2.0ByteDance720p4–15s16:9, 9:16, 1:1Voiceover + model audioClip pack
Seedance 2.5ByteDance720p4s16:9, 9:16Voiceover + model audioClip pack

Specs as offered in ShortsMachine (October 2026). Clips are stitched, so any model can make videos up to 5 minutes.

Best budget models

Wan 2.2 Fast (Alibaba) and HeyGen Video 1 are the cheapest models we offer, at about one credit per second. Wan Fast makes 5-second 480p clips; HeyGen makes 5–15 second clips at 768p with its own ambience and sound effects. Both are ideal for daily faceless content and for testing ideas before spending more.

Best mid-range models

Pruna P-Video and Grok Imagine 1.5 Lite give clean 720p motion at two to three credits per second. FLUX 3 Max from Black Forest Labs is the standout here: up to 20-second clips with audio for about four credits per second. Grok Video Pro and Wan 3.0 offer more polish for Pro-plan users, and MiniMax H3 adds stereo audio for landscape videos.

Best premium models

Kling 3.0, Seedance 2.0 Mini and Wan 2.7 are the premium models included in the Premium plan, with up to 10–15 second clips. Veo 3.1 Fast, Gemini Omni Flash, Seedance 2.0 and Seedance 2.5 are available through clip packs for the highest-quality work.

Cost per finished minute

ModelCredits per second of clipCredits per finished minuteMinutes on Starter (200)Minutes on Premium (2,000)
HeyGen Video 11~722.827.8
Wan 2.2 Fast1~842.423.8
Pruna P-Video2~1321.515.2
Grok Imagine 1.5 Lite3~1921.010.4
FLUX 3 Max4~2520.87.9
Grok Video Pro5~3120.66.4
MiniMax H36~3840.55.2
Kling 3.08~4920.44.1
Seedance 2.0 Mini9~5520.43.6
Wan 2.710~6120.33.3
Wan 3.014~8640.22.3

Per-minute figures include the scene images and voiceover (Flux images). Estimates; you are charged for what is actually generated.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free AI video model?

There is no truly free high-quality video model; all of them cost compute. Every ShortsMachine plan starts with a 3-day free trial, and Wan 2.2 Fast and HeyGen Video 1 are the cheapest to run afterwards.

Which AI video model has the best sound?

HeyGen Video 1, Wan 2.7, MiniMax H3 and Gemini Omni always generate audio; Seedance, Wan 3.0 and FLUX 3 Max generate it by default. In ShortsMachine that audio is mixed under the narration.

Put this guide into practice

Type an idea and ShortsMachine writes the script, generates every scene, adds a voiceover and captions, and stitches it into one video — up to 5 minutes long.

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Best AI Video Models in 2026: 15 Models Compared