A fierce new rivalry is reshaping AI video. MiniMax’s Hailuo 02 is challenging Google’s Veo 3, and in one key area—silent video—it’s winning.
Creators praise Hailuo for delivering remarkably cinematic output. And for now, it’s available at no cost.
The model’s freemium approach gives users 500 credits at signup and 100 more daily. That’s enough to start creating right away, without opening your wallet.
The result has been explosive adoption and growing pressure on competitors. In response, Google slashed Veo’s price.
Hailuo leads on visual realism, while Veo pushes forward with storytelling and sound. One model focuses on precision and control, the other on immersive, audio-driven narratives. For creators, the choice has never been clearer.
MiniMax Hailuo 02: Precision Visuals Meet Strategic Guerrilla Tactics
MiniMax’s Targeted Play
MiniMax, known formally as Xiyu Technology, has carved a niche by zeroing in on high-quality silent video. Rather than match every feature from tech giants, it built a model that excels in one area—and priced it to win.
During its MiniMax Week launch, the company introduced not only Hailuo 02 but also a new language model, showing broad AI capabilities. Since then, users have created over 3.7 billion videos, confirming the platform’s rapid momentum.
Under the Hood
Hailuo 02 runs on Noise-aware Compute Redistribution (NCR), an architecture that adjusts compute during training. It compresses data early on and sharpens focus later as noise is reduced. This enables efficient learning and smoother video quality.
With three times more parameters and four times the training data than its predecessor, Hailuo 02 can follow prompts closely while maintaining coherent frame transitions. It likely relies on a mix of transformers, diffusion networks, and temporal layers to keep motion fluid and realistic.
High-Fidelity Output
Hailuo 02 excels in rendering motion, physics, and detail. It supports 768p and 1080p resolutions, with clip lengths up to 10 seconds—enough to convey full action beats. It handles dynamic sequences like gymnastics, fights, and falls with fluid accuracy.
Its Director Control Toolkit lets users guide shots using terms like “pan down” or “zoom in.” This feature is ideal for prototyping scenes or testing VFX ideas with cinematic structure and intention.
However, Hailuo lacks native audio generation. There’s no dialogue, music, or ambient sound, which limits its use in storytelling. Generation speed can also lag, especially under heavy demand.
Freemium Growth Engine
Hailuo’s credit-based model is a key driver of its growth. New users start with 500 credits, and daily logins add 100 more. A single video costs 25–30 credits, allowing new users to create about 20 videos initially, and 3–4 more every day for free.
This setup powers both user engagement and data collection. Each generation improves the model through feedback. A growing community across Reddit and Discord contributes tutorials, feedback, and buzz—helping Hailuo spread organically.
For professional users, MiniMax offers several plans:
- Standard: $9.99/month for 1,000 credits
- Pro: $34.99/month for 4,500 credits
- Master: $79.99–$94.99/month for 10,000 credits
- Ultra: $124.99/month for 12,000 credits and unlimited use of Hailuo 01
- Pay-as-you-go: $1 per 70 credits
Google Veo 3: Multimodal Mastery Inside the ‘Flow’ Filmmaking Suite
Google’s Veo 3 sits at the center of Flow, an integrated creative environment. It combines video (Veo), image generation (Imagen), and prompt understanding (Gemini) under one interface, streamlining content production from start to finish.
This ecosystem gives creators a unified space to build, edit, and manage assets. Veo doesn’t stand alone—it connects seamlessly with other AI tools, forming a cohesive production pipeline.
Native Audio and Multimodal Output
The defining feature of Veo 3 is audio generation. From a single prompt, it produces synchronized dialogue, sound effects, and music, allowing creators to build rich, narrative scenes without third-party tools.
Launched in May 2025, Veo 3 also includes 4K video capabilities, adding visual polish to its already impressive sound. Each clip runs up to 8 seconds and includes support for complex prompts across media types.
Google embeds all content with SynthID, a digital watermark, and applies strict filtering to block inappropriate prompts—prioritizing safety and trust.
Tools for Storytelling
Within Flow, creators use features like:
- SceneBuilder: Link clips into continuous scenes.
- Camera Controls: Adjust framing and movement directly.
- Ingredients: Upload references for consistent characters or styles.
Together, these tools make Flow a full storytelling suite. While Veo sometimes misinterprets prompts or stumbles on physics, its audio + visual combo opens new creative possibilities.
Access and Pricing Evolution
Veo started with a steep entry cost—$249/month for Google AI Ultra. That changed quickly. In response to market shifts, Google introduced Google AI Pro at $20/month, which includes access to Flow, Veo 3 Fast, and 100 generations per month.
The Ultra tier (around $125–$250/month) still exists, offering full access to Veo 3 with premium features like 30TB of cloud storage and YouTube Premium. Businesses can also use Vertex AI’s API, paying $0.35–$0.50 per second of generated video.
Head-to-Head: Hailuo 02 vs. Veo 3
Here’s a quick comparison of the two AI video generators.
Visuals and Prompt Accuracy: Hailuo Claims the Top Spot
According to creators across platforms, Hailuo 02 has taken the lead in silent video. One user on Reddit described it as the new “#1 AI video generator,” noting that it “beats Veo 3” in both prompt accuracy and visual fidelity. This opinion isn’t isolated. The Artificial Analysis Video Arena leaderboard, a community-run benchmark, ranked Hailuo 02 higher than Veo in the image-to-video category—further reinforcing the model’s visual dominance.
Many creators echo this view, highlighting Hailuo’s ability to follow prompts closely and produce videos that feel cinematically grounded. As one skeptical user put it: “I have to be honest here… I’m impressed.” Another comment compared Hailuo’s visual leap to “Sora is like the Nokia to Hailuo’s iPhone.”
Still, concerns persist. Multiple users called out slow generation speeds, with one noting, “You can generate 15 videos with Veo by the time Hailuo finishes one.”
Sound and Workflow: The Split in User Needs
Veo 3 continues to dominate in audio. For users working on dialogue-heavy or sound-reliant content, it’s the only viable option. Several Reddit users were blunt: “No audio, no deal.” Others acknowledged Hailuo’s strengths but pointed out the cost of its silence. One user summarized the tradeoff well: “Even without audio, if the video generation is better, it can be quite useful… but sometimes you need that full package.”
That divide is reflected in behavior. Veo is often chosen for its speed and audio-narrative integration, while Hailuo gets picked for visual prototyping and physics-heavy clips.
Pricing and Free Access: Hailuo Wins Big
A six-second HD clip costs under $0.50 with Hailuo, compared to up to $3 with Veo. Hailuo’s $9.99/month plan supports about 40 videos. Google’s $20/month Pro plan allows roughly 10. The free tier on Hailuo is unmatched, offering regular credit bonuses and access without commitment.
Speed and Workflow: Veo is Faster
Veo generates content more quickly, especially in paid tiers. Its Flow suite is polished, supporting longer, complex narratives. Hailuo is more lightweight—better for quick iterations, but less suited to extended, scene-linked projects.
The Reddit thread also reveals how creator communities are shaping these platforms’ reputations in real time. Hailuo has a growing fan base that praises its raw visual power, while others remain skeptical, pointing to its slowness or lack of sound as major deal-breakers. One user noted they were canceling their subscription after trying it, while another simply replied, “Just tried it out. It’s very impressive.”
This balance of praise and critique highlights a broader truth: these platforms aren’t trying to be all things to all people—at least not yet. Hailuo is winning over VFX artists, motion designers, and silent video creators. Veo appeals to storytellers who need sound, speed, and structure in one place.
| Feature | Hailuo 02 | Google Veo 3 | Analyst Note |
| Developer | MiniMax (Xiyu Technology) | Google DeepMind | A nimble startup challenging an established tech giant. |
| Core Architecture | Noise-aware Compute Redistribution (NCR) | Multimodal Transformer Architecture | Hailuo’s NCR is optimized for visual efficiency; Veo’s is built for audio-visual synthesis. |
| Max Resolution | 1080p | 4K | Veo 3 offers higher resolution, crucial for professional-grade output. |
| Max Clip Duration | 10 seconds | 8 seconds | Hailuo allows for slightly longer individual clips. |
| Native Audio/Dialogue | No | Yes, including dialogue and SFX | This is the single most critical differentiator between the two models. |
| Physics Simulation | Excellent; SOTA for complex motion | Good, but can exhibit artifacts/distortions | Hailuo is the clear leader for action sequences and realistic physical interactions. |
| Cinematic Controls | Yes, “Director Mode” with camera prompts | Yes, via ‘Flow’ interface camera controls | Both offer advanced control, but Hailuo’s direct prompting is unique. |
| Character Consistency | Yes, via “Subject Reference” feature | Yes, via ‘Flow’ “Ingredients” feature | Both models have robust features for maintaining consistency in narrative work. |
| Integrated Workflow | Standalone Generator (Web, App, API) | ‘Flow’ Creative Suite (Veo + Imagen + Gemini) | Google’s ecosystem approach offers a more comprehensive, end-to-end solution. |
| Watermarking | Yes, on free plan; removed on paid plans | Yes, invisible SynthID on all generations | Google’s approach is focused on traceability and responsible AI. |
Choose Based on Creative Needs
Hailuo 02 delivers stunning visuals, accurate physics, and fine-tuned control—ideal for VFX, animation, and concept work. Veo 3 excels in sound, structure, and full-scene storytelling.
- Need sound, music, or dialogue? Choose Veo 3.
- Want photo-realistic action clips or VFX pre-visuals? Go with Hailuo 02.
- Working on a budget or producing lots of clips? Hailuo’s free plan offers unmatched value.
- Building complex stories with multiple shots and synced audio? Veo’s Flow system is the better fit.
The Future of AI Video: Two Paths, One Destination
Hailuo 02 and Veo 3 mark a turning point in AI creativity. One model centers on precision visuals, the other on complete narrative production. Each offers distinct value to creators with different goals.
This new landscape gives developers, filmmakers, and marketers meaningful tools to work smarter and faster. Hailuo offers unmatched access to cinematic visuals. Veo delivers audio-ready content inside a pro-level workflow.
Both paths lead to richer, more powerful AI media. For now, the choice is yours—but soon, the best tools may do it all.
