Veo 3.1 vs SeeDance 2.0: API Comparison and Pricing (2026)

Veo 3.1 and SeeDance 2.0 are the two video models worth shortlisting in May 2026. Veo 3.1 is Google's October 2025 release with native synchronized audio, 4K upscaling, and the cleanest production tooling of any video API. SeeDance 2.0 is ByteDance's February 2026 release with multimodal omni-reference, native audio in the same pass, and multi-shot storytelling that holds character consistency across scenes. They overlap on the obvious things (text-to-video, native audio, image references) and split sharply on the rest.

TL;DR: Pick Veo 3.1 for short cinematic clips that need 4K, frame-mode control, and a polished tier ladder ($0.075–$0.60 per video on Unifically). Pick SeeDance 2.0 for longer narratives (up to 15 seconds), multimodal references (nine images, three videos, three audio clips per call), and multi-shot output with character consistency. SeeDance 2.0 lists at $0.08 per second on Unifically; Veo 3.1 is per-video flat from Lite Relaxed ($0.075) through Quality ($0.60).

Veo 3.1 vs SeeDance 2.0 at a glance

Spec	Veo 3.1	SeeDance 2.0
Provider	Google	ByteDance
Release	October 2025 (extended early 2026)	February 2026, public API April 2026
Max single-clip duration	8 seconds (then Extend)	15 seconds
Resolution	720p, 1080p, 4K (preview)	720p on Unifically (Pro and Fast tiers)
Frame rate	24 FPS	24 FPS
Native audio in same call	Yes (≤120 ms lip-sync)	Yes (multi-language lip-sync)
Reference inputs	Up to 3 images (Fast tier) or start + end frame	Up to 9 images, 3 videos, 3 audio clips per call
Multi-shot in one call	No (use Extend to chain)	Yes (multi-shot narrative output)
Aspect ratios	16:9, 9:16	16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3
Tiers on Unifically	Lite, Lite Relaxed, Fast, Fast Relaxed, Quality + Extend + Upscale 1080p/4K	Pro, Fast
List price (Unifically)	$0.075 – $0.60 per video	$0.08 per second

What Veo 3.1 is

Veo 3.1 is Google's flagship video model. Each generation returns a 4-, 6-, or 8-second MP4 at 24 FPS in 16:9 or 9:16, with synchronized 48 kHz audio (dialogue, ambience, effects) baked into the same file. The model ships with a deep tier ladder — five generation variants plus Extend and two Upscale endpoints — designed for an iterate-cheap, finalise-expensive workflow.

The 4K output is the standout. Most other video models cap at 1080p; Veo 3.1 exposes a true 4K render path through the Quality tier and a dedicated Upscale 4K endpoint that takes any finished task ID and returns an upscaled MP4 at $0.50 per call.

What SeeDance 2.0 is

SeeDance 2.0 is ByteDance's February 2026 video model and the version that introduces multimodal omni-reference to the SeeDance line. A single generate call accepts a prompt plus up to nine reference images, three reference video clips, and three reference audio clips, all addressable in the prompt with placeholders like @Image1, @Video1, and @Audio1. The model also generates synchronized audio in the same pass, with millisecond lip-sync precision across multiple languages.

The other big shift is multi-shot storytelling. SeeDance 2.0 can render multiple shots in one call while keeping the same character recognisable across them, which previously required four separate generations and manual stitching. Combined with the 15-second max single-clip duration, that makes SeeDance 2.0 the better default for short narrative arcs.

Where each model wins

Veo 3.1 wins on

Resolution. True 4K via Quality + Upscale 4K. SeeDance 2.0 caps at 720p on Unifically.
Tier ladder. Lite Relaxed at $0.075 per video lets you brute-force prompt variations before committing to Quality at $0.60. SeeDance 2.0's per-second pricing makes draft iteration more expensive.
Frame-mode control. Lite and Quality accept a start frame and an optional end frame. Useful for ad cutdowns where the open and close frames are non-negotiable.
Polished production tooling. Dedicated Extend and Upscale 1080p / Upscale 4K endpoints. Continue any finished task with a different base model; upscale only the takes that survive review.
Audio fidelity. 48 kHz native audio with sub-120 ms lip-sync alignment.

SeeDance 2.0 wins on

Single-clip length. Up to 15 seconds in one call, vs. 8 seconds on Veo 3.1. For 12-second TikTok or Reels cuts you save an Extend call.
Multimodal references. Nine reference images, three video clips, three audio clips per call, addressable via prompt placeholders. Veo 3.1 caps at three reference images on the Fast tier.
Multi-shot output. Multiple shots in a single generate call with consistent characters across them. Veo 3.1 needs Extend chaining to do this.
Aspect ratio flexibility. 1:1 and 4:3 in addition to 16:9 and 9:16. Useful for square Instagram or product shots that don't fit a widescreen frame.
Audio + video fused at training time. ByteDance trained the model with audio jointly, not as a post-process — useful when the prompt mentions specific sound design.

Pricing math: side-by-side

The two models price differently, so the right comparison is per-clip cost at the duration you actually need.

Use case	Veo 3.1 path	SeeDance 2.0 path	Veo cost	SeeDance cost
6-second draft	Lite Relaxed	Fast (6s)	$0.075	$0.48
8-second cinematic	Quality (8s)	Pro (8s)	$0.60	$0.64
12-second narrative	Quality 8s + Extend ~4s	Pro (12s, single call)	$0.60 + $0.30 = $0.90	$0.96
15-second multi-shot ad	Quality 8s + Extend 7s	Pro (15s, single call, multi-shot)	$0.60 + $0.45 = $1.05	$1.20
4K hero shot	Quality + Upscale 4K	n/a — caps at 720p	$1.10	not supported

Read: Veo 3.1 wins outright on short drafts and on anything that needs 4K. SeeDance 2.0 is competitive on long single-call narratives where the multi-shot output and 15-second ceiling save you separate Extend calls and stitch passes.

Direct-from-provider rates for context: Google's Vertex AI / Gemini API charges Veo 3.1 at roughly $0.15/s (Fast) to $0.40/s (Standard), so an 8-second Quality clip lands around $3.20 direct vs. $0.60 on Unifically. Third-party SeeDance 2.0 providers (FAL, WaveSpeed, Replicate, PiAPI) range from $0.10 to ~$0.30 per second for SeeDance 2.0 Standard and Fast tiers.

When to pick Veo 3.1

You need 4K output. Hero campaign images, premium delivery, large-display work.
You want frame-mode control with explicit start and end frames.
You're iterating a lot. Lite Relaxed at $0.075 is unbeatable for prompt and framing iteration.
Your project is short cinematic clips, ≤ 8 seconds per beat, with audio.
You want a clean, well-tooled tier ladder with predictable per-video billing.

When to pick SeeDance 2.0

You need single-clip output longer than 8 seconds without an Extend chain.
Your prompt is reference-heavy — multiple images, source clips, or specific audio you want the model to match.
You're producing multi-shot narratives with a recurring character.
You need 1:1 or 4:3 framing as a first-class option.
You're building a content series and want character consistency held across shots in a single call.

Code: calling each model on Unifically

Both models use the same async pattern — POST a generation, poll the task endpoint, fetch the MP4.

Veo 3.1 (Fast tier, with reference image)

const API = 'https://api.unifically.com';
const headers = {
  Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.UNIFICALLY_API_KEY}`,
  'Content-Type': 'application/json',
};

const start = await fetch(`${API}/v1/tasks`, {
  method: 'POST',
  headers,
  body: JSON.stringify({
    model: 'google/veo-3.1-fast',
    input: {
      prompt: 'Aerial shot of a coastal cliff at golden hour, gulls circling overhead, waves crashing below',
      aspect_ratio: '16:9',
      duration: 8,
      reference_image_urls: ['https://example.com/style-reference.jpg'],
    },
  }),
}).then((r) => r.json());

while (true) {
  await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 3000));
  const task = await fetch(`${API}/v1/tasks/${start.data.task_id}`, { headers }).then((r) => r.json());
  if (task.data.status === 'completed') {
    console.log(task.data.output.video_url);
    break;
  }
  if (task.data.status === 'failed') throw new Error(task.data.error?.message);
}

SeeDance 2.0 Pro (omni-reference, multi-shot, 15s)

const start = await fetch(`${API}/v1/tasks`, {
  method: 'POST',
  headers,
  body: JSON.stringify({
    model: 'bytedance/seedance-2.0-pro',
    input: {
      prompt:
        'Shot 1: a chef in @Image1 plates the dish in @Image2. Shot 2: she walks to the dining room. Shot 3: she serves the guest. Soundtrack matches the mood of @Audio1.',
      aspect_ratio: '16:9',
      duration: 15,
      images: ['https://example.com/chef.jpg', 'https://example.com/dish.jpg'],
      audio: ['https://example.com/jazz-mood.mp3'],
    },
  }),
}).then((r) => r.json());

Polling is identical — the same /v1/tasks/{task_id} endpoint serves every Unifically model.

Common mistakes when comparing them

Comparing per-video Veo 3.1 to per-second SeeDance 2.0 without normalising duration. Always run the math against your target clip length before deciding.
Asking SeeDance 2.0 for 4K. It's not a supported tier on Unifically. If you need 4K, generate on Veo 3.1 Quality and run Upscale 4K.
Stuffing the SeeDance 2.0 omni-reference with all 15 slots. References compete for influence. Three to five well-chosen images plus one source clip beats fifteen mixed references.
Treating Veo 3.1 Extend like a multi-shot generator. Extend continues a clip; it doesn't generate a new shot with a different character pose. For multi-shot output with character continuity, SeeDance 2.0 is the right pick.
Defaulting to Quality / Pro on every iteration. Veo 3.1 Lite Relaxed and SeeDance 2.0 Fast are explicitly there to draft cheaply. Promote to the high tier only after the take survives creative review.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Veo 3.1 and SeeDance 2.0?

Veo 3.1 wins on resolution (4K), frame-mode control, and a deep tier ladder with cheap drafting. SeeDance 2.0 wins on single-clip length (15 seconds), multimodal omni-reference (nine images, three videos, three audio clips per call), and multi-shot output with character consistency.

Which is cheaper, Veo 3.1 or SeeDance 2.0?

For short drafts (≤ 6 seconds), Veo 3.1 Lite Relaxed at $0.075 per video is dramatically cheaper. For 8-second Quality clips, the two land within a few cents of each other. Above 8 seconds in a single call, SeeDance 2.0's per-second rate ($0.08/s) is the only single-call option — Veo 3.1 needs Extend chaining.

Does SeeDance 2.0 support 4K?

Not on Unifically. SeeDance 2.0 Pro and Fast both output at 720p through the Unifically API. For 4K video output, use Veo 3.1 Quality with the dedicated Upscale 4K endpoint.

Can SeeDance 2.0 generate audio like Veo 3.1?

Yes. SeeDance 2.0 generates synchronized audio in the same pass as the video, with millisecond lip-sync across multiple languages. Veo 3.1 ships native 48 kHz audio with sub-120 ms lip-sync. Both treat audio as a first-class output, not a post-process.

Which model should I pick for a 15-second product ad with three shots?

SeeDance 2.0 Pro. It generates the full 15 seconds in a single call as a multi-shot narrative, with character consistency held across shots. Veo 3.1 can do it via 8s Quality + 7s Extend, but you pay for two generations and lose the single-call multi-shot continuity SeeDance 2.0 provides.

Veo 3.1 deep dive — full pricing, tiers, and code samples
Veo 3.1 model page — live playground and parameter reference
SeeDance 2.0 model page — live Pro and Fast playgrounds
Kling 2.6 and MiniMax Hailuo — alternative video APIs
Nano Banana 2 — pair with either video model for image-to-video pipelines

Veo 3.1 vs SeeDance 2.0: API Comparison and Pricing (2026)

Veo 3.1 vs SeeDance 2.0 at a glance

What Veo 3.1 is

What SeeDance 2.0 is