Vidu
Vidu turns text and images into video with its new Q3 model adding native audio and 16-second multi-shot scenes. Plans start free, Standard is $8/month.
About Vidu
What is Vidu (2026 update)
Vidu, made by ShengShu Technology, is an AI video generation platform that converts text prompts and reference images into short video clips, including reference-to-video generation that keeps a specific character or subject visually consistent across shots. It is aimed at creators, marketers, and short-form content producers who want cinematic or motion-heavy video without filming or animating by hand.
What is new in 2026
Vidu released its Q3 model on January 30, 2026, its biggest jump in capability, adding native synchronized audio generation (dialogue, voiceover, sound effects, and music) inside a single render, along with 16-second multi-shot sequences that unify lip-synced dialogue, dynamic camera movement, and multi-shot storytelling into one pass. On April 13, 2026, Vidu followed up with Q3 Reference-to-Video, extending story-driven generation with six types of cinematic visual effects and five categories of sound capability, and the model reportedly ranked first on SuperCLUE’s global Reference-to-Video leaderboard. Vidu also expanded its image generation stack (Q2 series) earlier in the year with unlimited free access to challenge established image models, alongside enhanced reference-to-image and full image editing tools.
Key features
- Vidu Q3 model with native audio generation and 16-second multi-shot video in one render
- Reference-to-video generation using 1 to 7 reference images to keep a subject visually consistent
- Turbo, Pro, and Pro-fast generation modes trading speed for cinematic quality
- Text-to-image, reference-to-image, and image editing tools
- Support for 540p up to 1080p output resolution
- Commercial usage rights on paid plans and batch/multi-video generation
Pricing in 2026
Vidu uses a credit-based subscription model with a free tier, and yearly billing works out cheaper than monthly (reports cite up to 20% savings on annual plans).
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 80 free credits (about 20 standard clips), plus unlimited off-peak generation, no credit card required |
| Standard | $8/month (billed yearly) | 800 credits per month, around 200 video generations, commercial use |
| Premium | $28/month (billed yearly) | 4,000 credits per month, around 1,000 video generations, higher reference limits |
| Ultimate | $79/month (billed yearly) | 8,000 credits per month, highest generation volume and reference limits on the consumer plans |
| Enterprise | Up to about $1,399/month | Highest volume and priority support for teams and businesses |
Actual per-second cost depends on quality setting, one estimate puts 60 seconds of Cinema-quality video on the Pro-tier plan at roughly $2.03, and Standard quality at roughly $0.90, check the official site for current credit costs per model.
Who should use it
Vidu suits social media creators, marketers, and small studios who need fast turnaround on short video clips with consistent characters across shots, especially anyone who wants built-in dialogue or sound rather than adding audio in a separate tool. The free tier and low-cost Standard plan make it accessible for creators just testing AI video, while Premium and Ultimate fit agencies producing higher volumes of content.
Limitations and alternatives
Clip length is still capped well below full-scene film production (16 seconds on the newest multi-shot mode), so longer-form video needs stitching multiple generations together. Cinema-quality output costs meaningfully more per second than Standard quality, so budget-conscious users may need to manage credit usage carefully. If Vidu is not the right fit, alternatives include Runway for more established professional video editing and generation tools, Kling AI for a comparable Chinese-market video model with strong motion quality, and Luma Dream Machine for another consistent-character, text-to-video option.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vidu free to use?
Yes, Vidu offers 80 free credits (about 20 standard clips) plus unlimited off-peak generation with no credit card required, though paid plans unlock more monthly credits and commercial use.
What is new in Vidu Q3?
Released January 30, 2026, Vidu Q3 added native synchronized audio (dialogue, voiceover, sound effects, music) and 16-second multi-shot video generation in a single render, followed by a Q3 Reference-to-Video update in April 2026.
How much does Vidu cost per video?
Cost depends on quality tier, one estimate puts 60 seconds of Cinema-quality video around $2.03 and Standard quality around $0.90 on the Pro plan, check the official pricing page for current credit costs.
Who is Vidu best for?
Social media creators, marketers, and small studios who need fast, consistent-character short video clips with built-in audio, from casual free-tier users up to agencies on the Premium or Ultimate plans.
Information last verified: September 2026.
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