Google Launches Veo 3.1 Lite AI Video Model

Google has launched Veo 3.1 Lite, its most affordable AI video generation model to date, alongside price reductions for its Veo 3.1 Fast tier, moves that come in the wake of OpenAI's recent shutdown of its Sora platform. The announcements, made through Google DeepMind and available immediately via the Gemini API and Google AI Studio, aim to broaden access for developers and businesses seeking scalable video tools.

Veo 3.1 Lite is designed for high-volume applications, offering generation speeds equivalent to the Veo 3.1 Fast model at less than half the cost. Pricing begins at $0.05 per second for 720p video, including synchronized audio such as ambient sounds and effects that align with the visuals, and $0.08 per second for 1080p. The model supports text-to-video and image-to-video workflows, with options for landscape 16:9 or portrait 9:16 aspect ratios, suitable for formats like social media clips. Users can generate videos in durations of four, six or eight seconds, though it does not support 4K resolution to maintain efficiency. Google positions this tier as a practical option for creating short animations or interface elements, rather than full-length productions.