| Feature | Veo 3 | Grok Imagine |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | xAI | |
| Rate on UGESI | 51 credits per second | 11 credits per second |
| Clip lengths | 8 s | 4 s, 6 s, 8 s, 10 s, 12 s |
| Resolutions | model default | 480p, 720p |
| Best for | Teams with prompts written for Veo 3. | Short video clips of up to 12 seconds. |
| Watch out for | Veo 3.1 is sharper, at almost twice the rate. | No 1080p; 480p and 720p only. |
Both run on Ugesi. Grok Imagine has a much lower rate and more length choices. Veo 3 costs more but returns every clip with native audio.
Where each one runs
Grok Imagine runs in the AI Video Generator, with the exact cost shown before you generate. Veo 3 is live too.
Veo 3 has its own quirk. It is not attached to any creation tool on Ugesi at the moment. It also reads only a text prompt. Check its model page for how to start a run.
How the two differ in what they make
Veo 3 makes one thing: an 8-second clip with native audio. You cannot set the length, resolution or a starting image. It is the previous Veo generation, and its stated best use is teams with prompts already written for it.
Grok Imagine is set up for flexibility. On Ugesi it reads a prompt, a duration and a resolution. It offers clips of 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 seconds at 480p or 720p. Audio is not among its listed strengths, so if sound matters, do not assume you will get it.
The same 8 seconds, priced
An 8-second clip on Veo 3 costs 408 credits, about $4.34. On Grok Imagine 8 seconds at 720p cost 88 credits, about $0.94. Grok Imagine's shortest run, 4 seconds, costs 44 credits ($0.47), and its longest, 12 seconds, 132 credits ($1.40).
In the group of 31 per-second video models, Veo 3 ranks 29th from the cheapest and Grok Imagine 11th.
Other options for cheap short clips
Seedance 2.0 Fast (legacy) is 18 credits per second and suits quick iteration. Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash is 18. It adds native audio on every clip, can start from your image and has a 360p draft mode. But it caps runs at 10 seconds and adds a SynthID watermark. Wan 3.0 is 21 and is listed as strong on camera movement.
A fair test
Write one silent-friendly prompt so audio does not skew the verdict: "Paper boat drifts down a rain-filled gutter. Camera follows at water level, streetlights blur overhead." Run Veo 3 at its fixed 8 seconds and Grok Imagine at 8 seconds and 720p. Compare motion and detail on mute. Then decide whether Veo 3's audio is worth the extra on the shots you actually make.
Questions about Veo 3 and Grok Imagine
Can I run Grok Imagine on Ugesi right now?
Yes, in the AI Video Generator at 11 credits per second (720p). Veo 3 can run now too.
Which is cheaper for an 8-second clip?
Grok Imagine costs 88 credits for 8 seconds at 720p, about $0.94. Veo 3 costs 408 credits, about $4.34, for the same length.
Does Veo 3 let me pick a different clip length?
No. Veo 3 outputs 8-second clips only and reads just your text prompt. Grok Imagine offers 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 seconds.
What else is there for cheap short clips?
Seedance 2.0 Fast (legacy) at 18 credits per second, Wan 3.0 at 21 and Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash at 18 all run now. Gemini Omni adds native audio.
