Grok Imagine Video vs Sora 2, Veo 3.1, Seedance 1.5, WAN 2.5/2.6, and Vidu Q3: Complete Comparison

xAI has entered the AI video generation space with Grok Imagine Video, challenging established players like OpenAI’s Sora 2 and Google’s Veo 3.1. This comparison examines how Grok Imagine Video stacks up against six leading image-to-video models—covering technical specifications, pricing, strengths, and ideal use cases.

Quick Comparison

Model	Developer	Max Duration	Max Resolution	Audio	Price (5s, 720p)
Grok Imagine Video	xAI	15s	720p	Yes	$0.25
Sora 2	OpenAI	12s	1080p	Yes	~$0.50
Veo 3.1	Google	8s	1080p	Yes	$1.00-$2.00
Seedance 1.5 Pro	ByteDance	12s	720p	Yes	$0.13-$0.26
WAN 2.5	Alibaba	10s	1080p	Yes	$0.50
WAN 2.6 Flash	Alibaba	15s	1080p	Yes	$0.125-$0.25
Vidu Q3	Shengshu	16s	1080p	Yes	$0.75

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Grok Imagine Video: xAI’s Entry into Video Generation

Grok Imagine Video marks xAI’s expansion from language and image models into video generation. Built on the same foundation as Grok’s image capabilities, it brings competitive specifications at aggressive pricing.

Key Specifications

• Max Duration: 15 seconds (1-second increments)
• Resolutions: 720p (default), 480p
• Aspect Ratios: 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, 3:4, 3:2, 2:3, auto-detect
• Audio: Synchronized audio generation
• Pricing: $0.05 per second

Strengths

• Granular duration control: 1-second increments allow precise output length
• Simple pricing: Linear $0.05/second makes cost calculation straightforward
• Multiple aspect ratios: Seven presets plus auto-detection from source image
• Built-in prompt enhancer: Optimizes motion descriptions automatically
• No cold starts: API designed for production reliability

Limitations

• 720p maximum resolution: Lower ceiling than competitors offering 1080p
• New entrant: Less community knowledge and prompt optimization resources
• Limited fine-grained controls: Fewer motion parameters than some alternatives

API Example

import wavespeed

output = wavespeed.run(
    "x-ai/grok-imagine-video/image-to-video",
    {"prompt": "Camera slowly pushes in as leaves fall gently around the subject", "image": "https://example.com/portrait.jpg", "duration": 8},
)

print(output["outputs"][0])  # Output URL

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Sora 2: The Quality Benchmark

OpenAI’s Sora 2 remains the reference standard for physics-aware video generation. While more expensive, it delivers the highest quality motion and temporal consistency.

Key Specifications

• Max Duration: 12 seconds (4s, 8s, or 12s options)
• Resolution: Up to 1080p
• Audio: Comprehensive—dialogue, foley, ambient
• Pricing: $0.10 per second

Strengths

• Physics accuracy: Objects move with realistic weight, momentum, and collision
• Temporal consistency: Minimal flicker, stable identities across frames
• Comprehensive audio: Lip-sync, sound effects, and ambient in one pass
• Parallax and depth: Infers 3D structure from 2D images
• Cinematic camera literacy: Natural pans, push-ins, dolly movements

Limitations

• Premium pricing: 2x the cost of Grok Imagine Video per second
• Fixed duration tiers: Only 4s, 8s, or 12s—no granular control
• Slower iteration: Higher cost discourages rapid experimentation

API Example

import wavespeed

output = wavespeed.run(
    "openai/sora-2/image-to-video",
    {"prompt": "Subject turns toward camera with natural movement, shallow depth of field", "image": "https://example.com/portrait.jpg"},
)

print(output["outputs"][0])

---

Veo 3.1: Google’s Cinematic Engine

Google’s Veo 3.1 excels at cinematic motion with native audio support. Its 1080p output at 24fps delivers broadcast-quality results, though at the highest price point.

Key Specifications

• Max Duration: 8 seconds (4s, 6s, or 8s)
• Resolution: 1080p native, 720p available
• Frame Rate: 24fps (fixed)
• Audio: Native support for ambient, dialogue, music
• Pricing: $0.20/second (video only), $0.40/second (with audio)

Strengths

• 1080p native: True high-definition output
• Fixed 24fps: Cinema-standard frame rate
• Frame interpolation: Two-frame transitions for controlled motion
• Strong contextual understanding: Interprets both image content and prompt intent
• High-fidelity output: Realistic lighting and movement

Limitations

• Highest cost: $0.40/second with audio is 8x Grok’s pricing
• Shortest maximum duration: 8 seconds caps longer sequences
• Longer generation time: 2-3 minutes for 8s at 1080p
• Limited duration options: Only 4, 6, or 8 seconds

API Example

import wavespeed

output = wavespeed.run(
    "google/veo3.1/image-to-video",
    {"prompt": "Gentle motion, natural lighting transitions", "image": "https://example.com/scene.jpg", "duration": 6},
)

print(output["outputs"][0])

---

Seedance 1.5 Pro: Dialogue and Expression Leader

ByteDance’s Seedance 1.5 Pro was purpose-built for audio-visual synchronization, excelling at multilingual dialogue and emotional performance.

Key Specifications

• Max Duration: 12 seconds
• Resolutions: 720p, 480p
• Aspect Ratios: 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, 3:4, 21:9, auto
• Audio: Native generation with optional disable
• Pricing: Base $0.026/second (480p), scaling with resolution and audio

Strengths

• Multilingual dialogue: Strong Chinese and dialect support
• Multi-speaker handling: Distinct voices for multiple characters
• Emotional performance: Greater amplitude and tempo variation
• Lowest cost tier: 480p without audio starts at $0.06/5s
• Last-frame steering: Guide composition with end-frame image
• Camera-fixed mode: Lock camera for subject-focused motion

Limitations

• 720p maximum: No 1080p option
• Complex pricing: Multiple variables affect final cost
• Specialized focus: Optimized for dialogue over general motion

API Example

import wavespeed

output = wavespeed.run(
    "bytedance/seedance-v1.5-pro/image-to-video",
    {"prompt": "Subject speaks with natural expression, slight head movement", "image": "https://example.com/portrait.jpg", "duration": 8},
)

print(output["outputs"][0])

---

WAN 2.5: Balanced All-Rounder

Alibaba’s WAN 2.5 offers a well-rounded feature set with one-pass audio-visual sync and flexible resolution options up to 1080p.

Key Specifications

• Max Duration: 10 seconds
• Resolutions: 480p, 720p, 1080p
• Audio: One-pass A/V sync with lip-sync
• Custom Audio: Upload WAV/MP3 (3-30s, max 15MB)
• Pricing: $0.05/second (480p), $0.10/second (720p), $0.15/second (1080p)

Strengths

• 1080p support: Full HD output available
• Custom audio upload: Sync video to your own voiceover
• Six aspect ratios: Flexible publishing options
• Multilingual prompts: Strong Chinese language support
• Model variants: Same ecosystem includes T2V, I2V, editing, extension

Limitations

• 10-second maximum: Shorter than Grok, WAN 2.6, or Vidu
• No granular duration: Fixed tier options
• Audio file constraints: 15MB limit, excess trimmed

API Example

import wavespeed

output = wavespeed.run(
    "alibaba/wan-2.5/image-to-video",
    {"prompt": "Smooth camera pan across the scene, natural lighting", "image": "https://example.com/landscape.jpg"},
)

print(output["outputs"][0])

---

WAN 2.6 Flash: Speed and Duration Leader

WAN 2.6 Flash optimizes for longer content and faster generation, supporting up to 15 seconds with optional multi-shot storytelling.

Key Specifications

• Max Duration: 15 seconds
• Resolutions: 720p, 1080p
• Shot Types: Single (continuous) or Multi (scene transitions)
• Audio: Optional (toggle on/off)
• Pricing: $0.125/5s (720p, no audio), $0.375/5s (1080p, with audio)

Strengths

• 15-second maximum: Tied with Grok for longest duration
• Multi-shot mode: Automatic scene transitions for storytelling
• 1080p with audio: Full capability at the high end
• Prompt enhancement: Built-in optimizer
• Flexible audio toggle: Pay for audio only when needed

Limitations

• 5-second pricing increments: Less granular than Grok’s per-second
• Resolution/audio trade-off: High resolution + audio gets expensive
• Newer model: Less established than WAN 2.5

API Example

import wavespeed

output = wavespeed.run(
    "alibaba/wan-2.6/image-to-video-flash",
    {"prompt": "Multi-shot sequence: establishing shot, close-up, wide angle", "image": "https://example.com/scene.jpg", "duration": 15, "shot_type": "multi"},
)

print(output["outputs"][0])

---

Vidu Q3: Maximum Duration Champion

Shengshu’s Vidu Q3 pushes duration limits to 16 seconds with integrated background music and motion amplitude controls.

Key Specifications

• Max Duration: 16 seconds
• Resolutions: 540p, 720p, 1080p
• Audio: Voice, ambient, and background music
• Movement Control: Auto, small, medium, large amplitude
• Pricing: $0.07/s (540p), $0.15/s (720p), $0.16/s (1080p)

Strengths

• Longest duration: 16 seconds beats all competitors
• 1080p support: Full HD available
• Background music: Integrated music generation
• Motion amplitude control: Fine-tune movement intensity
• Competitive 1080p pricing: $0.16/second undercuts most alternatives

Limitations

• 540p tier: Lowest resolution option among competitors
• Less established: Smaller community and fewer resources
• Variable quality: Newer model with less consistent output

API Example

import wavespeed

output = wavespeed.run(
    "vidu/q3/image-to-video",
    {"prompt": "Dynamic scene with moderate camera movement", "image": "https://example.com/action.jpg", "duration": 12, "movement_amplitude": "medium"},
)

print(output["outputs"][0])

---

Head-to-Head Comparisons

Resolution and Quality

Model	Max Resolution	Quality Tier
Veo 3.1	1080p	Highest
Sora 2	1080p	Highest
WAN 2.6 Flash	1080p	High
WAN 2.5	1080p	High
Vidu Q3	1080p	High
Grok Imagine Video	720p	Medium
Seedance 1.5 Pro	720p	Medium

For projects requiring true 1080p output, Grok Imagine Video and Seedance 1.5 Pro are not suitable choices. Veo 3.1 and Sora 2 deliver the highest quality at 1080p.

Duration Capabilities

Model	Max Duration	Duration Control
Vidu Q3	16s	1-second increments
Grok Imagine Video	15s	1-second increments
WAN 2.6 Flash	15s	5-second blocks
Sora 2	12s	Fixed tiers (4/8/12s)
Seedance 1.5 Pro	12s	Flexible
WAN 2.5	10s	3-10s range
Veo 3.1	8s	Fixed tiers (4/6/8s)

For longer content, Vidu Q3, Grok Imagine Video, and WAN 2.6 Flash lead. Grok’s 1-second granularity offers the most precise duration control.

Cost Comparison (10-second 720p video with audio)

Model	Approximate Cost
Seedance 1.5 Pro	$0.52
Grok Imagine Video	$0.50
WAN 2.6 Flash	$0.50
Sora 2	$1.00
WAN 2.5	$1.00
Vidu Q3	$1.50
Veo 3.1	$4.00

Seedance 1.5 Pro and Grok Imagine Video offer the best value for audio-enabled video generation. Veo 3.1’s premium pricing makes it suitable only for projects where quality justifies the 8x cost difference.

Audio Capabilities

Model	Audio Type	Strength
Sora 2	Dialogue + foley + ambient	Comprehensive
Seedance 1.5 Pro	Multilingual dialogue	Best for speech
Vidu Q3	Voice + ambient + music	Music integration
Veo 3.1	Ambient + dialogue + music	High fidelity
Grok Imagine Video	Synchronized audio	General purpose
WAN 2.6 Flash	Optional audio	Flexible
WAN 2.5	Custom audio upload	User-controlled

For dialogue-heavy content, Seedance 1.5 Pro leads. For comprehensive audio (speech, effects, ambient), Sora 2 is unmatched. Vidu Q3 uniquely offers integrated background music.

---

Use Case Recommendations

Choose Grok Imagine Video if:

• Budget efficiency is a priority
• You need flexible duration control (1-second increments)
• 720p resolution is acceptable
• You prefer simple, predictable pricing
• API reliability with no cold starts matters

Choose Sora 2 if:

• Maximum quality is non-negotiable
• Physics accuracy is critical (sports, action, products)
• You need comprehensive audio (dialogue + effects + ambient)
• Professional/commercial production justifies the cost

Choose Veo 3.1 if:

• 1080p cinematic quality is required
• Budget is not the primary constraint
• Shorter clips (under 8s) fit your workflow
• You need Google ecosystem integration

Choose Seedance 1.5 Pro if:

• Dialogue and lip-sync are the focus
• Multilingual content (especially Chinese) is needed
• Multiple speakers need distinct voices
• Cost efficiency is important for voice content

Choose WAN 2.5 if:

• Custom audio upload is required
• You need 1080p at moderate cost
• Multilingual prompts work better for your content
• The WAN ecosystem’s versatility appeals to you

Choose WAN 2.6 Flash if:

• Longer videos (10-15s) are needed
• Multi-shot storytelling fits your content
• You want to toggle audio on/off per project
• Speed of generation is important

Choose Vidu Q3 if:

• Maximum duration (16s) is required
• Integrated background music is valuable
• Motion amplitude control matters
• You’re exploring newer alternatives

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The Verdict: Where Grok Imagine Video Fits

Grok Imagine Video enters a competitive market with a compelling value proposition: 15-second duration, flexible aspect ratios, and $0.05/second pricing. Its main trade-off is the 720p resolution cap—a significant limitation for professional productions requiring 1080p.

Grok Imagine Video is best positioned for:

• Social media content where 720p is acceptable
• Rapid prototyping and iteration
• Budget-conscious production workflows
• Projects prioritizing duration over resolution

For 1080p requirements, WAN 2.5, WAN 2.6 Flash, Sora 2, Veo 3.1, or Vidu Q3 are better choices.

For dialogue-heavy content, Seedance 1.5 Pro’s multilingual strength makes it the specialist pick.

For maximum quality, Sora 2 remains the benchmark despite its premium pricing.

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Try These Models on WaveSpeedAI

All seven models are available through the WaveSpeedAI API:

• Grok Imagine Video
• Sora 2
• Veo 3.1
• Seedance 1.5 Pro
• WAN 2.5
• WAN 2.6 Flash
• Vidu Q3

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