How Much Does an AI Video Cost? Free vs Subscription vs Per Video
An AI video costs nothing if a free CapCut template already does what you want, a monthly plan or a credit pack if you use a general AI video app, and a fixed price per video on a pay-per-video site: on Try a Trend a trend video is $4.99 for your first video, then $5.99 each, some trends have their own price, and you see a free preview before paying anything.
Dime Dime Baby AI Video Generator
$4.99 for your first video, then $5.99 each, free preview first
Make yours
Mom & Dad in Heaven AI Video Generator
$7.99 per video, free preview first
Make yours
Add Loved One to Photo AI Generator
$9.99 per photo, free preview first
Make yours
The three ways to pay for an AI video
| How you pay | Typical tools | What it costs | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free templates | CapCut | Nothing for many templates | Some templates and effects need a Pro plan; templates disappear |
| Subscription or credits | Kling, Runway, Pika, Higgsfield | A few free credits, then a monthly plan or credit packs | Every attempt uses credits, including the ones you throw away |
| Pay per video | Try a Trend | $4.99 for your first video, then $5.99 each | Only the trends that are set up; one scene per trend |
Prices for subscription apps change often and depend on the plan, the video length and the resolution, so check each tool's own pricing page before you buy.
Is CapCut AI free?
Mostly, for trend videos. The CapCut editor and many of its templates are free to use. Some templates, effects and AI features are marked Pro and need a paid plan, and which ones changes often, so look for the Pro label before you start. Free exports can also include an ending card.
The catch with templates isn't the price, it's availability. A template has to exist for the trend you want, it has to still be online, and it has to put your face into the scene rather than just your photo into a frame.
What actually drives the cost of an AI video
With subscription tools, the price per video isn't fixed. It depends on:
- Length and resolution. Video models charge more for longer and sharper clips. A 10-second 720p clip costs much less to make than a 30-second 1080p one.
- Retries. This is the hidden cost. Copying a specific viral video, with its cuts and timing, often takes several attempts, and you pay for each one.
- Faces and motion. Two people hugging, fast dancing and close-ups are where faces drift, which means more retries.
- Motion copying. Copying the exact moves from a reference clip is usually a premium feature.
So "a few credits per video" on paper can become many more in practice. That's fine if you enjoy experimenting, and frustrating if you just want one video for tonight.
AI video without a subscription
If you only want a video now and then, a one-time payment is simpler than a plan you have to remember to cancel. That's how Try a Trend works:
- Free preview first. You upload a photo and see a still of yourself in the scene before paying. Up to five previews a day, no account.
- Pay per video, no subscription. A standard trend video is $4.99 for your first video, then $5.99 each. Some trends have their own price, like the hug in heaven video at $7.99 per video, or a printable photo with a loved one at $9.99 per photo.
- What's included. A 720p video with no watermark, ready to post. If a video fails, the credit comes back automatically, and you can redo a video once for free within 72 hours.
Try a Trend is an independent tool, not affiliated with CapCut, TikTok or any app mentioned here.
Which option is cheapest for you?
- You'll make one or two videos: a free template if one exists for your trend; otherwise pay per video. A subscription you use once is the most expensive option.
- You'll make a few videos a month for different trends: pay per video still adds up to less than most plans, as long as the trends you want are available.
- You'll make AI videos every day, or need custom scenes: a subscription app makes sense. You'll get the most out of the credits once you've learned to write good prompts.
- It's a tribute to someone you've lost: whatever you choose, pick a tool that shows you the face before you pay. Getting it right matters more than saving a little.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to make one AI video?
From nothing with a free template, to the price of a monthly plan with a general AI video app, to a fixed price per video with a trend site. On Try a Trend one trend video is $4.99 for your first video, then $5.99 each.
Why do some AI videos cost more than others?
Longer, sharper and more complex videos use more computing power. Videos that copy exact dance moves or keep two faces through a hug take more work, so they cost more to make on any tool.
Are AI video generators free?
Most have a free tier with a few credits, a watermark or lower resolution. For a finished video you'll want to post, expect to pay something, either per video or per month.
Want to see what yours would look like first? Upload one photo to the Dime Dime Baby trend and check the free preview before you decide.