Quick verdict: Hailuo AI (from China’s MiniMax) and Kling AI (from Kuaishou) are the two Chinese AI video generators most creators compare — and both are genuinely good at realistic human motion. Kling is the cheaper way in and the more flexible studio tool: paid plans start at $6.99 for the first month, reach up to 4K, and its newest models push clips to 30 seconds. Hailuo counters with strong prompt adherence, expressive faces, and a free plan that hands out fresh credits daily, though its list prices run higher — Standard lists at $14.99/month. Pick Kling for value, resolution and longer clips; pick Hailuo if its look and daily free credits fit how you create.
Both tools do text-to-video and image-to-video, both watermark free output, and both sell monthly credit pools that expire. This comparison uses each platform’s published pricing — research-based, with no hands-on testing claims.
Hailuo AI vs Kling AI at a glance
| Feature | Hailuo AI (MiniMax) | Kling AI (Kuaishou) |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes — daily bonus credits; lower resolution (768p/720p) | Yes — monthly free credits; 720p, watermark, no commercial use |
| Cheapest paid plan | Standard: $14.99/month list, 1,000 credits/month | Standard: $6.99 first month, then $8.80/month, 660 credits/month |
| Mid tier | Pro: $54.99/month list, 4,500 credits | Pro: $25.99 first month, then $32.56/month, 3,000 credits |
| Top tiers | Master: $119.99/month list, 10,500 credits; Max above that | Premier: 8,000 credits; Ultra: 26,000 credits |
| Max resolution | 1080p | Up to 4K on paid plans |
| Clip length | 6 seconds at 1080p, 10 seconds at 768p (Hailuo 2.3) | 5–10 seconds on standard models; Kling 4.0 raises this to 30 seconds |
| Watermark | On free plan; removed on paid plans | On free plan; removed on paid plans |
| Commercial use | Included on paid plans | Included on paid plans |
| Known strengths | Prompt adherence, expressive human faces and motion | Camera control, 4K output, cheaper entry, longer clips |
| Best for | Short, polished character clips and daily free experimentation | Creators who want resolution, control and volume per dollar |
Credits: the number that actually decides your bill
Do not compare these two by counting credits. A Hailuo credit and a Kling credit buy different amounts of video, because each platform charges per clip according to its own model, resolution and duration settings. On Hailuo 2.3, a 6-second clip costs 25 credits at 768p and 50 credits at 1080p — so Standard’s 1,000 credits are roughly 40 short clips at the lower resolution or 20 at 1080p. Kling’s Standard pool of 660 credits stretches across its own rate card, and every paid tier on both platforms expires unused subscription credits at the end of the cycle. The honest comparison is finished clips per month at the settings you actually use — run that math on your own typical clip before choosing a tier. Intro pricing needs the same care: Kling discounts the first month on every tier, so the renewal price, not the headline price, is your real cost.
Quality and control
Hailuo built its reputation on following prompts closely and rendering people convincingly — faces, expressions and physical motion are its calling card, and its subject-reference tools help keep a character consistent from a reference image. Its ceiling is 1080p and its clips are short: 6 seconds at full resolution, 10 seconds at 768p on the current 2.3 model. Kling plays a broader game: up to 4K on paid plans, video extension, multiple variations per prompt, and camera-movement controls that suit planned shots rather than single moments. With Kling 4.0 pushing generation to 30 seconds with keyframes, Kling is also the pick when a single short clip is not enough. Neither tool gives you native dialogue the way some rivals now do — plan on adding sound in an editor if your clip needs speech.
What does each one cost, in plain terms?
Kling is cheaper to start and cheaper to scale. Standard begins at $6.99 for the first month (then $8.80), Pro at $25.99 first month (then $32.56), with Premier and Ultra above for 8,000 and 26,000 credits. Hailuo’s list prices sit higher — Standard $14.99, Pro $54.99, Master $119.99 — although its pricing page frequently shows standing discounts off those list prices, so check the live figure before judging. Hailuo’s friendliest feature is its free tier’s daily bonus credits, which let you keep experimenting every day without paying; Kling’s free plan now runs on a monthly credit allowance at 720p with a watermark. For context on each free tier, see our Hailuo AI review and Kling review.
Which should you pick?
Pick Kling AI if you want the lowest entry price, 4K output, camera control, video extension, or clips longer than 10 seconds. It is the better default for working creators.
Pick Hailuo AI if your clips are short character moments where prompt fidelity and facial expression matter most, or you want daily free credits to develop ideas before spending anything.
Bottom line: Kling wins on value, resolution and flexibility; Hailuo wins on human realism in short clips and on free daily experimentation. Both beat their free tiers quickly — budget by finished clips, not credits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hailuo AI free?
Yes. Hailuo’s free plan includes daily bonus credits at lower resolutions. Paid plans start at a $14.99/month list price for Standard with 1,000 credits, remove the watermark and add commercial use.
How much does Kling AI cost?
Kling’s Standard plan is $6.99 for the first month, then $8.80/month, with 660 credits. Pro is $25.99 for the first month, then $32.56/month, with 3,000 credits. The free plan is watermarked and not for commercial use.
Which makes longer videos, Hailuo or Kling?
Kling. Hailuo 2.3 tops out at 6 seconds at 1080p (10 seconds at 768p), while Kling’s standard models run 5–10 seconds and Kling 4.0 extends generation to 30 seconds.
Can I use Hailuo or Kling videos commercially?
Yes, on paid plans on both platforms. Free-plan output on both is watermarked and not licensed for commercial use.