Apostle

Hailuo (MiniMax)

AI video at the lowest cost per second

By MiniMax

7.7
out of 10
Last verified: April 1, 2026

Our verdict

Hailuo is our go-to for volume testing and exploration where per-unit cost matters more than per-unit quality. At $0.017/second via fal.ai, we can generate hundreds of test clips for the cost of a single Runway generation. We use it heavily in the spec work pipeline where we are generating unsolicited samples for prospects. If the spec work converts, we reshoot the hero asset in Runway or Kling. Hailuo is not suitable for client deliverables at its default settings, but it is the most cost-effective tool for creative exploration and A/B testing visual directions.

Ratings

Quality
7/10
Speed
9/10
Value
9.5/10
Ease of Use
7.5/10
Camera Control
7/10
Consistency
6/10

Features

Max Resolution 1080p
Max Video Length 6s
Text to Video
Image to Video
Native Audio
API Available
Open Source
Commercial License

Pricing

Free Tier Limited daily credits
Starting Price $9.99/month
Pro Tier $29.99/month
API Cost/Second $0.017
Pricing Model pay-per-use

Cheapest API pricing at $0.017/sec for 512p. Higher tiers available. API via fal.ai.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Lowest API pricing in the market ($0.017/sec)
  • Fast generation speed
  • No watermark on free tier
  • Good for volume production
  • Batch processing supported
  • Available via fal.ai API

Cons

  • 6-second maximum clip length
  • No native audio
  • No lip sync capability
  • Weak character consistency
  • Quality a step below Runway and Kling
  • Limited camera control precision

How we use Hailuo at Apostle

Spec work generation pipeline, creative exploration, A/B testing visual directions, volume social content for cost-sensitive projects.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Hailuo free?
Yes, Hailuo offers a free tier: Limited daily credits.
Does Hailuo have an API?
Yes, Hailuo offers API access. API pricing starts at $0.017/second.
What is the maximum video length for Hailuo?
Hailuo supports videos up to 6 seconds per generation.

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