Hailuo AI vs Vidu AI vs Pika
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Hailuo AI | Vidu AI | Pika |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Freemium (daily free credits) | Freemium (unlimited free off-peak) | — |
| Core Video Features | Start/end frame control, themed creative packs, AI Agent | Text/Image/Reference to video, multi-character consistency, Story Grid | — |
| Audio Generation | Audio generation from text prompts | AI Sound Effect Generator (auto audio from video) | — |
| Image Features | AI image generation, Light Studio image editing | AI Image Generator (text-to-image), Image to Video with frame control | — |
| Best For | Social media creators, artists, marketers, students | Content creators, anime artists, marketers, storyboard artists | — |
| Not For | High-resolution output (no 4K), API access, transparent pricing, detailed docs | Hyper-realistic live-action, unlimited free anytime, long-form video | — |
If you need consistent character-driven videos, anime transformation, or fast multi-shot productions with audio, Vidu AI is the stronger pick with unlimited free off-peak generation. For casual social media content with themed packs and simple frame control, Hailuo AI is adequate but limited by daily credits and lower resolution. Choose Vidu for reliability and features; choose Hailuo only if you want quick, themed fun without commitment.
Feature-by-feature
Vidu AI excels with multi-reference support (up to 7 images) for consistent characters, a Story Grid for coherent multi-shot scenes, and an AI Sound Effect Generator that auto-generates audio from video. It also offers Templates for viral content and an API platform. Hailuo AI focuses on themed creative packs (LoveFrame, PetPal, etc.) and an AI Agent for workflow assistance, plus start/end frame control for video transitions. However, Hailuo lacks the multi-reference consistency and Story Grid of Vidu, and its output is capped at short durations (6-10 seconds) without 4K. Vidu's generation speed is 10 seconds, and it provides unlimited free use during off-peak hours, whereas Hailuo operates on daily free credits. For image features, Vidu offers a dedicated AI Image Generator and Image to Video with first/last frame control, while Hailuo includes a Light Studio for editing and basic text-to-image. Both support text-to-video, but Vidu's Reference to Video and anime capabilities give it an edge for creators needing consistency.
Pricing compared
Both tools follow a freemium model, but Vidu AI offers unlimited free generation during Off-Peak Mode, while Hailuo AI provides daily free credits. Neither lists explicit paid tiers on the data provided, making it unclear what premium unlocks (if any) exist. For heavy users, Vidu's unlimited off-peak free plan is more generous, as Hailuo's daily credits cap usage without clear upgrade paths. Vidu also mentions an API platform for enterprises, though pricing is likely custom. Hailuo has a Creator Partnership Program and Affiliate Program, but details on payouts are absent. If you need predictable free usage, Vidu wins; if you prefer themed packs and don't mind daily limits, Hailuo may suffice.
Who should pick which
- Anime artistPick: Vidu AI
Vidu AI offers superior anime art to video with fluid motion and multi-character consistency, which Hailuo lacks.
- Social media casual creatorPick: Hailuo AI
The themed creative packs and AI Agent make it easy to produce quick, fun videos without deep complexity.
- Marketer needing rapid adsPick: Vidu AI
Vidu's templates, Story Grid, and fast generation with audio enable efficient viral content creation.
- Student with limited budgetPick: Vidu AI
Unlimited free off-peak generation provides more value than Hailuo's daily credits for school projects.
- Storyboard artistPick: Vidu AI
Multi-shot consistency and multi-reference support are key for prototyping scenes, which Hailuo doesn't offer.
Benchmarks
| Metric | Hailuo AI | Vidu AI | Pika |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max output resolution | 1080p nativeHailuo 02 Pro tier | 1080p nativevidu.com Premium and Ultimate | 1080p nativePika Pro and Fancy tiers (free capped at 480p) |
| Max video length per generation | 10 secondsHailuo 02 generation cap | 8 secondsper Vidu pricing FAQ | 10 secondsPikascenes extension |
| Free tier monthly videos | ~90-150 videos/mo (3-5/day, 720p, watermarked)daily bonus credits | 3 watermarked 8s clips80 credits/mo free plan | ~10-15 480p clips80 credits/mo Basic plan |
| API price per 6-second 1080p clip | $0.48 USDfal.ai Hailuo 02 Pro $0.08/sec | ~$0.40 USDplatform.vidu.com docs | N/A limited public APIpartner access only |
| Video Arena Elo (artificialanalysis.ai) | ~1,208 Elo, rank #6Video Arena Apr 2026 | top 5 image-to-video arenaImage-to-Video Arena Feb 2026 | mid-tier EloVideo Arena leaderboard |
| Typical generation queue time | 30-90 seconds (paid tier)observed Apr 2026 | 40-120 seconds (Premium)observed Apr 2026 | 15-60 seconds (Turbo)observed Apr 2026 |
| Reference-video / style transfer | No image-to-video onlyHailuo product docs | Yes up to 7 referencesVidu reference-to-video product page | Partial Pikascenes accepts image refsPika 2.5 docs |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I generate audio from video with Hailuo AI?
No, Hailuo generates audio from text prompts, not from video. Vidu AI has an AI Sound Effect Generator that auto-creates audio from video.
Does either tool offer an API?
Vidu AI mentions an API platform for enterprises; Hailuo AI does not mention API access in the provided data.
Which one is better for anime-style videos?
Vidu AI is specifically noted for superior anime generation with fluid motion, while Hailuo AI lacks specific anime features.
How long can videos be?
The data does not specify maximum duration for Vidu AI, but Hailuo AI outputs are limited to 6-10 seconds. Vidu may support longer clips via Story Grid.
Is there a free trial for paid plans?
Both tools operate on freemium models; no paid plan details are provided, so free usage is as described (unlimited off-peak vs daily credits).
Can I control the start and end frames of a video?
Both support start/end frame control: Vidu via Image to Video with first/last frame, Hailuo as a core video feature.
Which tool has better image editing?
Hailuo AI includes a Light Studio for image editing; Vidu AI focuses on AI Image Generation and Image to Video, not editing.
Are there community programs?
Hailuo AI has a Creator Partnership Program and Affiliate Program (with $1000 relighting challenge). Vidu AI does not mention such programs.
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Last reviewed: July 30, 2026