Google Veo 3 vs MiniMax Hailuo 02

A new showdown is taking shape in the world of AI video generation. MiniMax’s Hailuo 02 is directly challenging Google’s Veo 3—and when it comes to silent video, Hailuo is pulling ahead.

Creators applaud Hailuo for its stunningly cinematic results, and right now, it’s offered free of charge.

With a freemium model granting 500 credits at signup plus 100 daily, users can dive into video creation immediately without spending a dime.

This approach has sparked rapid growth and put significant pressure on competitors. In response, Google has cut the price of Veo.

While Hailuo excels in visual realism, Veo focuses on storytelling and integrating sound. One prioritizes precision and control; the other emphasizes rich, audio-driven experiences. For content creators, the decision is becoming increasingly clear.

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Specifications and technical details

Hailuo is quickly gaining popularity among VFX artists, motion designers, and creators focused on silent, visually rich storytelling.

Veo, on the other hand, is designed for storytellers who need integrated audio, precise pacing, and strong narrative structure. To understand which model best fits different creative needs, let’s break down their technical specifications and capabilities.

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VEO 3 Demo: Google’s All-in-One Video Storytelling Tool

Veo 3 is part of Google’s Flow platform, combining video generation with image tools (Imagen) and prompt understanding (Gemini) in a single creative workspace. This integration streamlines the entire content creation process—from concept to final video.

Launched in May 2025, Veo 3 supports 4K+ resolution and generates synchronized audio, including dialogue, music, and sound effects, directly from prompts. Each video can run up to 8 seconds, with strong multimodal support.

Flow also includes tools like SceneBuilder, camera controls, and visual reference “ingredients” to help creators maintain consistency and pacing. While Veo may occasionally miss on physics or prompt interpretation, its audio-visual synergy makes it ideal for narrative-driven content.

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Hailuo 2 Demo: Silent Video, Sharpened Focus

MiniMax (Xiyu Technology) takes a targeted approach with Hailuo 02, specializing in high-quality silent video. Launched during MiniMax Week alongside a new language model, it’s already powered over 3.7 billion creations.

Hailuo 02 runs on Noise-aware Compute Redistribution (NCR), which reallocates processing during training for cleaner, smoother results. With increased parameters and training data, it delivers strong prompt alignment and fluid motion.

The model generates up to 10-second clips in 768p and 1080p, excelling at motion-heavy scenes. Its Director Control Toolkit supports cinematic commands like “zoom in” or “pan left,” ideal for VFX and animation prototyping.

However, it lacks native audio—no sound, dialogue, or music—and generation can slow under high demand.

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Pricing

MiniMax provides a range of subscription options tailored for professional users:

• Standard: $9.99 per month, includes 1,000 credits
• Pro: $34.99 per month, with 4,500 credits
• Master: Between $79.99 and $94.99 per month, offering 10,000 credits
• Ultra: $124.99 per month, grants 12,000 credits plus unlimited access to Hailuo 01
• Pay-as-you-go: $1 for every 70 credits purchased

Veo launched with a $249/month Ultra plan but quickly introduced a $20/month Pro option offering Flow, Veo 3 Fast, and 100 video generations. The Ultra tier ($125–$250/month) includes full features and cloud storage. Enterprises can use Vertex AI’s API, billed $0.35–$0.50 per second of video.

Creating a 6-second HD video with Hailuo costs under 50 cents, compared to up to $3 per clip with Veo, making Hailuo a much more budget-friendly option. Its $9.99 monthly plan allows for about 40 videos—four times more than Veo’s $20 Pro plan.

Combined with a generous free tier that regularly adds credits, Hailuo offers great accessibility and value, especially for indie creators and small businesses looking to experiment without high costs.

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Finding the Best Fit for Your Video Projects

Both MiniMax’s Hailuo 02 and Google’s Veo 3 represent major leaps in AI video generation, but they’re built with different priorities.

Hailuo 02 specializes in producing crisp, highly detailed silent videos, making it a great choice for creators who prioritize visual precision—whether for artistic work, detailed animations, or action-heavy scenes.

In contrast, Veo 3 integrates advanced audio capabilities and smooth scene transitions, making it ideal for storytellers who want a seamless blend of sound, motion, and narrative flow.

As these technologies evolve, they open new doors for creative professionals by automating complex production tasks. Understanding the distinct strengths of each platform allows users to select the right tool for their specific creative goals, whether that’s flawless visuals or rich, immersive storytelling.

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