Hailuo AI (MiniMax) vs Pika
A spec-by-spec comparison of Hailuo AI (MiniMax) and Pika: pricing, free tier, clip length, resolution, watermark, commercial use and API access.
Key differences
- Pika is cheaper to start: $10/month vs $14.99/month for Hailuo AI.
- Pika's free exports have no watermark; Hailuo AI's free exports are watermarked.
- Free tier: Hailuo AI — Free credits for new users; Pika — Free account with no monthly credits; pay-as-you-go credit packs only.
| Hailuo AI (MiniMax) | Pika | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan · from $14.99/mo | Free plan · from $10/mo |
| Free tier | Free credits for new users | Free account with no monthly credits; pay-as-you-go credit packs only |
| Max clip length | 15s per generation (MiniMax H3) | |
| Max resolution | 2K (MiniMax H3) | |
| Watermark on free plan | Yes | No |
| Commercial use | Paid plans | Paid plans |
| Developer API | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
Hailuo AI is MiniMax's consumer app for generating video and images, now built around the MiniMax H3 and H3 Max models with multi-reference inputs. It also offers an agent mode and audio tools. It targets social creators and marketers, while developers can reach the same models through the MiniMax API platform.
- H3 model supports 4 to 15 second clips and up to 2K output
- Higher tiers (Ultra, Max) include unlimited use of older Hailuo models
- Same models available to developers via the MiniMax API
- Watermark-free downloads and commercial rights require a paid plan
- Buying credit packs alone does not remove watermarks
- Standard list price is $14.99/month; lower prices are temporary promotions
Pika is a consumer-focused AI video platform that combines its own Pika 2.5 and Pikaframes models with third-party video, image and audio models. It leans toward quick social content through apps like Swap Anything, Motion Transfer and Product Ad. It is aimed at creators and marketers who want fun, fast results, and it also runs a paid API membership for developers.
- Free plan downloads are not watermarked
- Access to all models on every plan, including Seedance 2.5 and Wan 3.0
- Top-up credit packs work on the Free plan and last 365 days
- Free plan includes zero monthly credits, so any generation requires buying credits
- Commercial license only on paid plans
- Plan credits do not roll over and payments are non-refundable
Specs last verified 2026-10-23 (Hailuo AI (MiniMax)) and 2026-10-23 (Pika). See each tool page for sources.