Hailuo AI vs Vidu
Hailuo AI vs Vidu: score breakdown
Hailuo AI and Vidu both score 72/100. Hailuo AI is ahead on Delivery (18 vs 15); Vidu is ahead on Value (18 vs 15); they tie on Capability (21) and Ease of use (18). Each sub-score is out of 25.
Features and platforms
| Feature | Hailuo AI | Vidu |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac | Web, Android, API |
| Best for | Social creators and developers wanting MiniMax H3 model access at consumer prices | Consistent characters across clips with reference-to-video, up to 16 seconds and 4K |
| Skip if | Teams needing timeline editing, avatar presenters, or high-volume 1080p output on a tight budget | Users who need monthly billing or an unwatermarked free tier |
Cost and usage limits
Hailuo AI has a free plan; paid plans start at $14.99/mo (Standard). Vidu has a free plan; paid plans start at $8.25/mo billed yearly (Standard). Vidu's entry plan is cheaper by $6.74 a month ($8.25 vs $14.99).
Prices from each vendor's pricing page. Hailuo AI checked October 2026 · Vidu checked October 2026
Pros and cons
Hailuo AI
- MiniMax H3 generates clips up to 15 seconds at 2K resolution with native stereo audio, a spec combination not common at this price tier.
- Reference input budget of up to 9 images, 3 videos, and 3 audio clips per generation gives strong subject and style consistency for character-driven work.
- Single subscription bundles access to multiple models including Hailuo 2.0/2.3, H3, Sora 2, and Veo 3.1, reducing the need for separate accounts.
- Free exports are watermarked, capped at 768p and sit at the lowest queue priority.
- Standard costs $14.99 a month once the $7.99 promotional rate ends, more than Pika's $10 Starter for a similar credit pool.
- Several look-alike apps use the Hailuo name on both app stores, so finding the real app takes care.
Vidu
- Reference to Video accepts several angles of a character or object and keeps it consistent across clips.
- Q4 generates 3 to 16 second clips at up to 4K, longer and sharper than Flow, Firefly or Hailuo.
- Standard costs $8.25 a month on yearly billing for 800 credits, and the API publishes a per-second credit table for every model.
- Consumer plans are sold yearly only, from $99 up front, with no monthly option shown.
- Free output is capped at 720p with a visible watermark, and subscription credits expire after 30 days.
- Three creation modes and four model families (Q4, Q3, Q2, S) each with their own credit rates take time to learn.
Our verdict
Hailuo AI verdict
Hailuo AI is the best fit for social creators and indie developers who want access to MiniMax's H3 model, including 2K clips, native stereo audio, and up to 9 reference images, without paying enterprise rates. The credit system is punishing at higher resolutions: a single 1080p six-second clip can consume 80 credits, meaning the $14.99 Standard plan yields roughly 12 such clips per month. Runway beats it on editing tools and timeline control; teams that need avatar-driven or talking-head video should go straight to HeyGen.
Read full Hailuo AI review →Vidu verdict
Best for animators and creators who need one character to look the same across many clips, and who want 16 second, 4K output at a low yearly price. The trade-off is a pricing page that contradicts itself on the top tier and plans sold yearly only, where Pika and Luma bill monthly with clear tables. Skip it if you need monthly billing, a watermark-free free tier, or a verified iPhone app.
Read full Vidu review →