Hailuo AI (MiniMax)
#23 in Video Generators
« An AI video generator backed by tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent. It works entirely with a prompt, and the results are of the highest quality »
Similar AI Tools
Deevid AI 
Kling 3.0 
MiniMax H3 
Hailuo AI: MiniMax's 2K video generator with native stereo audio and per-second API pricing
Updated on November 6, 2026
Hailuo AI is a video generation platform developed by MiniMax, a Shanghai-based company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since January 2026. Its flagship model, MiniMax H3, shipped on July 31, 2026 and produces clips of up to 15 seconds at 2K resolution with stereo audio generated in the same pass. The iOS Standard plan costs $9.99/month; API calls start at $0.025 per second for the H3-Lite 480P tier. Marketers, solo filmmakers and developers integrating video into their products all find a competitive cost-per-clip here.
Pros
- Native stereo audio generated alongside each clip
- Strong physics simulation (liquids, fabric, collisions)
- API billed per second from $0.025
- Cheaper fast API variants (H3-Highspeed, H3-Lite)
- Multimodal inputs: text, images, video and audio
Cons
- Web pricing page not readable; only iOS and API prices are published clearly
- Clips capped at 15 seconds per generation
- Post-generation editing trails behind Runway
From prompt to finished clip with Hailuo AI
Hailuo AI takes a text description, a still image or both, then returns a short video clip. With MiniMax H3 the model accepts up to 12 reference files (9 images, 3 videos, 3 audio tracks) and outputs 2K footage at 24 fps with synchronized sound. No separate audio pipeline needed: ambient noise, dialogue and effects come out in one file.
Subject Reference keeps a character consistent across shots. Upload a portrait, describe the new scene, and the same face reappears under different angles and lighting. Physics-heavy prompts (splashing water, falling objects, cloth in motion) are among the features users praise most.
For developers, the MiniMax API exposes an asynchronous task endpoint. Faster variants like H3-Highspeed and H3-Lite cut both cost and wait time, letting batch pipelines scale without ballooning the budget.
Hands-on test of MiniMax H3 against rival models
H3 review covering 2K generation and audio quality
Verified pricing: iOS app and MiniMax API
Two billing systems run side by side. On the App Store, credit packs go from $4.99 (500 credits) to $49.99 (5,000 credits), alongside three monthly subscriptions. The API charges per second of generated video, varying by resolution.
- First five reference images per API task are free
- Legacy models (Hailuo 02, 2.3) remain available, billed per video from $0.10 per 512P clip
| Channel | Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|
| iOS app | Standard | $9.99/mo |
| iOS app | Pro | $34.99/mo |
| iOS app | Max | $199.99/mo |
| API | H3 2K | $0.13/s |
| API | H3 768P | $0.08/s |
| API | H3-Lite 480P | $0.025/s |
Kling, Seedance, Luma and the rest of the field
The text-to-video space moves fast. Kling 3.0 from Kuaishou reaches 4K with clips up to 15 seconds. Seedance 2.5 from ByteDance, announced in late June 2026, stretches to 30 seconds in a single pass and accepts up to 50 reference files. Luma Dream Machine added H3 inside its Luma Agents product in August 2026.
Where Hailuo AI stands out is price per clip and physics-driven motion. Where it falls short is fine-grained editing after generation, a territory where Runway still leads. The right pick depends on the workflow: high-volume short clips versus frame-level post-production control. Prices listed here may change; check the official site for current rates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hailuo AI free?
The website does not display a readable pricing grid. Verified prices come from the iOS app (Standard at $9.99/month, credit packs from $4.99) and the API (H3-Lite from $0.025/s at 480P). Limited testing appears possible without payment, but no permanent free tier has been confirmed through an official source.
How much does Hailuo AI cost?
On iOS, subscriptions run $9.99/month (Standard), $34.99/month (Pro) and $199.99/month (Max), with credit packs from $4.99 to $49.99. The API bills per second: $0.13/s at 2K for H3, $0.08/s at 768P, and $0.025/s for H3-Lite at 480P. Legacy models like Hailuo 2.3 charge per video, starting at $0.28 for a 768P 6-second clip.
Does Hailuo AI generate sound with the video?
With MiniMax H3, yes. The model produces native stereo audio alongside the video in a single generation pass. Ambient sounds, speech-like audio and effects are included automatically. This native audio generation is specific to the H3 model family.
What is the difference between Hailuo AI and MiniMax?
MiniMax is the parent company, founded in Shanghai in December 2021 and listed on the HKEX since January 9, 2026. Hailuo AI is its consumer-facing video and image platform, launched in March 2024. MiniMax H3, released July 31, 2026, is the current flagship video model available through both the Hailuo app and the MiniMax API.
Verdict: At roughly thirteen cents per second for a 2K clip with sound, Hailuo AI earns its spot in the toolkit of anyone producing short-form video at scale, from social ads to product showcases, while studios needing shot-level editing will still pair it with a post-production platform.
★ Featured AI Tools ★
★ Featured
« An all-in-one creative platform that brings together more than 30 image and video models in a single interface. It includes camera controls that let you direct like a real filmmaker, characters that remain consistent from scene to scene, and ready-to-use tools for ads and short-form content »
AI Alternatives for
Hailuo AI (MiniMax)
Freemium
Freemium
Paid
Freemium
Free
Freemium
Paid
