We tested 8 AI video models on the same photo and prompt
We generated all eight clips through Dora. Seedance 2.5, Kling 4.0 and Wan 3.0 are newly added and still rolling out to the app and the web, so you may not see them yet.
Short answer: with one photo and one prompt, the cheapest clip that held up was Seedance 2 Mini (16 coins for 4 seconds). Kling 4.0 (143 coins for 5 seconds) was the steadiest and sharpest, at about nine times the price. Paying more bought sharpness and stability, not a better idea. This is one first take per model, so treat it as a look, not a benchmark.
All eight, same photo and prompt, without sound. Shorter clips hold their last frame. Each clip with its own sound is below.
The results
| Model | Length and size in this test | Coins | Coins per second | What we saw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grok Imagine | 6 s, 416×752 | 15 | 2.5 | Cheapest and lowest resolution; paw up, but the camera pushes in hard |
| Veo 3.1 Lite | 8 s, 720×1280 | 30 | 3.8 | Longest clip for the money, but the empty helmet changes shape from the first frame |
| Seedance 2 Mini | 4 s, 496×864 | 16 | 4 | Lively for its price; paw up and face close to the photo |
| MiniMax H3 | 6.6 s, 768×1344 | 48 | 7.3 | Most expressive mouth; softer detail |
| Veo 3.1 Fast | 8 s, 720×1280 | 60 | 7.5 | Far more than the slow push-in we asked for; ends in a tight close-up |
| Wan 3.0 | 5 s, 480×854 | 40 | 8 | Calm camera, but the paw goes to the helmet, not the window |
| Seedance 2.5 | 5 s, 478×856 | 140 | 28 | Smooth push-in as asked, faithful to the photo; low resolution in this run |
| Kling 4.0 | 5 s, 716×1280 | 143 | 28.6 | Steadiest and sharpest; little movement until the last second |
Coins are what Dora charged on October 31, 2026, for that length and quality. Prices can change: see the models page.
Not a fair race, and why
Lengths run from 4 to 8 seconds and sizes from 480p to 720p, because each model ran at the settings shown. Compare coins per second for price, and don't read the sharper clips as better models at equal settings: Seedance 2.5 at 480p is not Seedance 2.5 at its best.
Which one to pick
- Trying ideas cheaply: Seedance 2 Mini or Grok Imagine.
- A long clip on a budget: Veo 3.1 Lite, but check the objects in the scene.
- A clip you will post: Kling 4.0, if the budget allows.
Each clip
Seedance 2 Mini
Grok Imagine
Veo 3.1 Lite
Wan 3.0
MiniMax H3
Veo 3.1 Fast
Seedance 2.5
Kling 4.0
How we tested
One photo, one prompt, first take only, no retries or editing, generated through Dora on October 31, 2026.
Photo prompt (Nano Banana 2.1): A small orange kitten wearing a tiny white astronaut suit, sitting on a wooden windowsill at golden hour, soft light, realistic photo, vertical
Video prompt: The kitten looks up, meows and reaches one paw toward the window while the camera slowly pushes in. Soft room sound.
Frequently asked questions
Which AI video model was cheapest per second?
In this test, Grok Imagine at 2.5 coins per second, at the lowest resolution of the eight.
Is the most expensive model the best?
Kling 4.0 was the steadiest and sharpest here, but this was one take at mixed settings. Try a cheap model first.