A credit is not a standard unit, which is the first thing to know before comparing any two platforms. On 8frame a credit is $0.01 in a top-up pack, so per-clip prices convert directly to dollars. On Runway a credit is also $0.01 and Gen-4.5 costs 12 credits per second. Elsewhere a credit can be worth several cents or fractions of one. Comparing credit counts between platforms without converting to currency first is how people conclude one tool is five times cheaper than another when it is not.
The table, in credits and dollars
8frame per-clip prices, a credit being $0.01 at pack rate:
| Model | Clip | Credits | Approx |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wan 3.0 (480p) | 5s | 24 | $0.24 |
| Wan 3.0 Prime | 5s, any resolution | 34 | $0.34 |
| Wan 3.0 (720p) | 5s | 48 | $0.48 |
| Wan 2.2 | 5s at 720p | 50 | $0.50 |
| Veo 3.1 Lite | 8s with audio | 54 | $0.54 |
| Kling v3 Standard | 5s silent | 57 | $0.57 |
| Kling v3 Standard | 5s with audio | 86 | $0.86 |
| Hailuo H3 | 5s at 2K | 88 | $0.88 |
| Kling 2.6 Pro | 5s with audio | 95 | $0.95 |
| Wan 2.5 | 5s at 1080p | 102 | $1.02 |
| Gemini Omni Flash | 8s with audio | 135 | $1.35 |
| Seedance 2.5 | 5s at 720p | 157 | $1.57 |
| Veo 3.1 Fast | 8s with audio | 168 | $1.68 |
| Veo 3.1 Standard | 8s with audio | 448 | $4.48 |
Images for comparison: Seedream 5 at 6 credits, Nano Banana 2 at 11, Nano Banana Pro at 21, Imagen 4 from 4.
What a real month costs
A creator posting daily. Twelve short video assets drafted on Veo 3.1 Lite silent (33 each) plus four finished on Kling v3 with audio: roughly 740 credits, about $7.40. Inside the $19 Starter plan's 1,000 credits.
A brand running paid social. Fifteen tested variants plus three premium finals: roughly 2,900 credits, about $29. Inside the $49 Creator plan's 3,000.
One premium brand film. Previz plus three Veo 3.1 Standard hero shots and supporting coverage: around 2,800 credits, about $28.
The pattern worth noticing across all three: the generation line is tens of dollars. Whatever dominates a creative budget in 2026, it is not the compute.
Why credits exist at all
Because generation costs the platform money per call, at different rates per model. A flat subscription covering unlimited generation has to be funded by throttling heavy users or by light users subsidising them, and both are invisible at purchase. See is unlimited AI video actually unlimited, which quotes one vendor's terms describing exactly that mechanism.
The trade is that credits require you to think about cost per clip, which most people find less pleasant than a flat fee and which at least tells you the truth.
How to compare platforms honestly
Convert to currency first. Credits per clip is meaningless across platforms.
Check expiry. Credits that reset monthly are worth less than credits that roll over, and most reset.
Check what the free tier grants. Ours grants an unlimited canvas and no generation credits; some grant generation and cap boards. Different products.
Add the attempt multiplier. Per-clip price times realistic attempts is your actual unit cost.
FAQ
How much is one credit worth? On 8frame, $0.01 in a top-up pack. Elsewhere it varies, so convert before comparing.
Do credits expire? Ours roll over while you are subscribed. Many platforms reset monthly, which makes a quiet month a loss.
What is the cheapest video clip I can generate? 24 credits, about $0.24, for a 5-second Wan 3.0 clip at 480p.
Convert to currency, then multiply by attempts. The 8frame canvas is free and unlimited, and generation is paid from $19/month.