Veo 3.1 vs MiniMax H3
Which one to choose
Pick Veo 3.1 for directed scenes where speech, ambience and effects should arrive in the same clip as the picture, and for sequences you lengthen by extending a finished clip. Pick MiniMax H3 (Hailuo H3) for storyboard-driven shots built from start and end frames or a mix of image, video and audio references, and when you want the highest output resolution. Both cover text, image and first-and-last-frame input.
Pricing comparison
| Veo 3.1 | MiniMax H3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Model maker | MiniMax | |
| Delivery availability | Available | Available |
| Context window | - | - |
| Max output | - | - |
| Official price | $0.40-$0.60per second | $0.08-$0.13per second |
| TokenLab price | $0.28-$0.42per second | $0.08-$0.13per second |
| Model performance | Collecting data | Collecting data |
| Capabilities | Image to VideoReference to VideoStart-end to videoText to VideoVideo extension | Image to VideoMultimodalReference to VideoStart-end to videoText to Video |
Choose Veo 3.1 when
- You want dialogue and sound effects generated with the picture instead of added afterwards
- You plan to continue a good clip into a longer sequence
- You need vertical and horizontal output from the same model
Choose MiniMax H3 when
- You hold a storyboard and want to fix how each shot begins and ends
- You guide a shot with several reference images, video clips or audio clips
- You deliver at the top resolution tier and care about sharpness over clip length
How they differ
| Aspect | Veo 3.1 | MiniMax H3 |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | Google presents Veo 3.1 as producing audio together with video, including speech and ambience. | MiniMax documents audio clips as references that guide a shot, rather than as a sound track the model writes for you. |
| Continuing a shot | Video extension lets a finished clip run on in a second generation. | No extension step is listed; longer pieces come from planning separate shots with matching frames. |
| Frame control | First and last frames can be fixed, and reference images hold a subject steady. | Start and end frames and reference material are separate modes, so you pick one per request. |
| Reference inputs | Reference images carry a character, product or setting between shots. | References can be images, short videos and audio clips, which gives more ways to steer motion and sound. |
| Output formats | Offers vertical and horizontal framing. | Offers widescreen or an adaptive ratio taken from the input. |
Summary
- Veo 3.1: $0.28-$0.42 per second; MiniMax H3: $0.08-$0.13 per second. Rates depend on the billing unit, specification, and usage. Compare matching conditions in the model's detailed pricing; a single rate does not determine the total cost.
FAQ
Which is better for ads with dialogue, Veo 3.1 or Hailuo H3?
Veo 3.1. Google builds spoken lines, ambience and effects into the generation, so a scene with a talking character needs fewer post steps. Hailuo H3 can take audio as a reference, but its documentation does not describe it writing dialogue itself.
Can I swap Hailuo H3 for Veo 3.1 without changing prompts?
Not directly. Hailuo H3 prompts lean on start and end frames and reference files, while Veo 3.1 prompts can also describe sound. Expect to rewrite shot descriptions and re-check framing options.
Which one suits storyboard work?
Hailuo H3. Fixing the first and last frame of a shot suits storyboards, and so does Veo 3.1's first-and-last-frame input; choose Hailuo H3 when you also need mixed references or the highest resolution tier.
Which is cheaper, Veo 3.1 or MiniMax H3?
Veo 3.1: $0.28-$0.42 per second; MiniMax H3: $0.08-$0.13 per second. Rates depend on the billing unit, specification, and usage. Compare matching conditions in the model's detailed pricing; a single rate does not determine the total cost.
What are the key differences between Veo 3.1 and MiniMax H3?
Veo 3.1: Video extension. MiniMax H3: Multimodal
Sources
Reviewed Oct 2, 2026