AI video model comparison: Kling 3.0, Seedance 2.0, Hailuo, and LTX Video
I tested 4 AI video models side by side with the same prompts. Here's exactly when to use Kling, Seedance, Hailuo, or LTX — and what each one actually costs.
I spent a week running the same prompts through four AI video models on MakeClipAI. Same text, same scene descriptions. The goal: figure out which model to use for which scenario.
Here's the guide I wish I had when I started.
The models I tested
MakeClipAI gives you access to multiple models under one account. The four I tested are:
- Kling 3.0 — Kwai's video model. Known for cinematic motion and polished commercial looks.
- Seedance 2.0 — A Japanese model from Marvelous. Strong on character animation and expressive motion.
- Hailuo — Minimax's video model. Good for stylized, artistic visuals with a softer natural look.
- LTX Video — Focused on speed. Lower quality ceiling but much faster generation.
Test 1: Product reveal — "a luxury watch on a wooden surface, slow camera orbit, soft studio lighting"
| Model | Quality | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kling 3.0 | ★★★★★ | ~3 min | Best result. Watch texture was sharp, lighting felt premium. The orbit motion was smooth — looked like an actual commercial. |
| Seedance 2.0 | ★★★★☆ | ~4 min | Good quality but the motion felt slightly different from what I described. More "alive" than polished. |
| Hailuo | ★★★☆☆ | ~4 min | Softer look, less sharp. The lighting was nice but the watch lost some detail. |
| LTX Video | ★★☆☆☆ | ~1 min | Fastest by far. Quality is noticeably lower — usable for testing concepts, not for final output. |
Verdict for product reveals: Use Kling. It's built for this.
Test 2: Character animation — "a dancer in a flowing dress, expressive movement, warm sunset lighting"
| Model | Quality | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seedance 2.0 | ★★★★★ | ~4 min | Clear winner. The motion was more natural and expressive. The dress movement looked organic. |
| Kling 3.0 | ★★★★☆ | ~3 min | Good but the motion was more rigid. Better for a fashion commercial than artistic expression. |
| Hailuo | ★★★★☆ | ~4 min | Interesting stylized look. The colors were warmer, more painterly. Good for artistic projects. |
| LTX Video | ★★☆☆☆ | ~1 min | Motion was choppy. Skip this for character work. |
Verdict for character animation: Seedance 2.0 handles expressive motion best. Hailuo is a nice alternative if you want a stylized look.
Test 3: Fast turnaround — "a social media ad for a coffee shop, 5-second clip"
| Model | Quality | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTX Video | ★★★☆☆ | ~45 sec | Good enough for social media. The quality won't win awards but the speed is unmatched. |
| Kling 3.0 | ★★★★★ | ~3 min | Beautiful but do you need it for a coffee shop clip that's gone in 24 hours? |
| Seedance 2.0 | ★★★★☆ | ~4 min | Better quality than LTX but takes longer. Tradeoff depends on your deadline. |
| Hailuo | ★★★☆☆ | ~4 min | Stylized look can work for artistic brands. Not great for generic coffee shop content. |
Verdict for speed: LTX Video when you need something fast. Kling when you need it to look great.
Credit costs compared
| Model | Cost per generation |
|---|---|
| LTX Video | Lowest credits |
| Hailuo | Low credits |
| Seedance 2.0 | Medium credits |
| Kling 3.0 | Higher credits |
The expensive models aren't always the right choice. I've saved a lot of credits by using LTX for early drafts and switching to Kling or Seedance for the final version.
My decision framework
I use this mental model now:
Kling → Product demos, commercial ads, anything that needs to look premium Seedance → Character animation, dance, expressive scenes, lifestyle content Hailuo → Artistic projects, stylized visuals, creative concepts LTX → First drafts, social media throwaways, testing prompt ideas before using the expensive models
Bottom line
The best model isn't the most expensive one. It's the one that matches what you're trying to make.
If you're making a product video for your Shopify store, don't use Seedance — use Kling. If you're animating a character dance, don't use LTX — use Seedance.
Get specific about what you need, then pick the model that's built for it. Your videos (and your credit balance) will thank you.
For multi-scene projects, AI Director mode automatically selects the best model for each scene and handles the breakdown — no manual model switching needed.
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