What is the best AI video generator for consistent characters?
For one recurring character, pick a model that takes several reference images per generation: Seedance 2.5 (up to 30 images)[2] and Kling 4.0 (up to 15 reference assets)[7] lead on paper, with Seedance 2.0 Fast a much cheaper way to get 9 reference images per clip[5]. Veo 3.1 takes up to three reference images[8] and Midjourney video only animates a single first frame[13], so they suit one-off shots better than a recurring cast.
What decides consistency
Every current video model can make a pretty face once. Consistency is about getting the same face back in the next generation, and the one after that. Four things decide it, in this order:
- Reference inputs. Can you attach pictures of the character, and how many? More references per character (front, side, outfit) give the model less to guess. Text-only generation invents a new face each time.
- Several characters at once. Can each character get their own references in the same generation, or do faces have to share one image?
- Clip length. A longer single take means fewer joins, and every join is a chance for the face to change.
- Price per usable clip. Consistency work means re-rendering takes that drifted, so a cheap model you can afford to re-run often beats an expensive one you render once.
A character library (a saved character you pick instead of re-uploading files) is a convenience on top, not a substitute for reference inputs.
The options, side by side (as of 2026-10-18)
| Model | Reference inputs | Max clip | Audio | List price | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedance 2.0 / 2.0 Fast (ByteDance)[1] | Up to 9 images, 3 videos, 3 audio clips | 15 s | Native audio | Fast: $0.60 per 5 s at 720p on BytePlus[5] | [1] [5] |
| Seedance 2.5 (ByteDance)[2] | Up to 30 images, 10 videos, 10 audio clips | 30 s | Native audio, 11 languages | $1.156 per 5 s at 720p, $2.843 at 1080p on BytePlus[5] | [2] [4] [5] |
| Kling 4.0[7] | Omni Reference: up to 15 assets, incl. multiple views of a character | 30 s | Native audio, lip sync, 9 languages | We could not verify Kling's prices on its site | [7] |
| Veo 3.1 (Google)[8] | Up to 3 reference images (not on Lite); references need 8 s clips | 8 s, extendable by 7 s | Google Cloud lists a Video + Audio price | $0.40 per second on the Gemini API, $0.10 on Fast[9] | [8] [9] [10] |
| MiniMax H3 (Hailuo)[11] | Omni Reference (count not published on the page we read) | Not verified | Not verified | $0.08 per second at 768P on MiniMax's API[12] | [11] [12] |
| Midjourney video | One starting image as the first frame | 21 s with extensions | Not stated on the page we read | Subscription from $10 a month | [13] [14] |
OpenAI shut down the Sora 2 models and its Videos API on 2026-09-24[15], so Sora is not in this comparison.
How each one does on the criteria
Seedance 2.5 has the most reference room by a wide margin: up to 30 images, 10 videos and 10 audio clips in one pass[2], and up to 30 seconds per generation[2]. That means three characters can each have several pictures and the whole scene can play in one take. The cost is price: BytePlus estimates $2.843 for 5 seconds at 1080p[5]. We use it when we need a continuous 30-second take with dialogue, for example Hate mail.
Seedance 2.0 Fast keeps the 9-image limit of the 2.0 series[4] at a fraction of the price: about $0.60 for a 5-second 720p clip on BytePlus[5]. In our renders it held three recurring faces through a 30-second dance made as two chained 15-second halves (Own It). Its limits are 15 seconds per clip and 720p output on the official API[3].
Kling 4.0 is Kling's newest model[6]. On paper it is the closest rival to Seedance 2.5: Omni Reference combines up to 15 reference assets, including multiple views of a character, and clips run 3 to 30 seconds[7]. It also takes a start frame, an end frame and up to 10 keyframes[7], which helps pin a face at known points. We have not rendered with Kling ourselves, and we could not verify its plan or API prices on its own pages as of 2026-10-18[6], so we cannot say how it compares per clip.
Veo 3.1 accepts up to three reference images, and only on 8-second clips[8]. That is enough for one character with a couple of views, tight for a group. Clips are 4, 6 or 8 seconds and can be extended by 7 seconds at a time up to 20 times[8]. Full Veo 3.1 lists at $0.40 a second at 720p or 1080p on the Gemini API[9]. We have no first-hand Veo renders.
MiniMax H3 is promoted on the Hailuo site with an Omni Reference feature[11] and costs $0.08 a second at 768P on MiniMax's API[12]. We could not verify how many references it takes or its clip length on a page we could read.
Midjourney video is image-to-video: you give it a starting image as the first frame plus an optional prompt[13]. A face stays consistent only as far as your starting images are consistent, and there is no way to pass separate references for a second character. It is strong for making the reference images themselves.
Our verdict: what to pick when
- One character, many short videos, on a budget: Seedance 2.0 Fast. Enough references, about a fifth of Seedance 2.5's 720p list price per clip, and it held faces in our renders.
- Long single takes or a group of three with several pictures each: Seedance 2.5[2], or Kling 4.0 if you want to test keyframes[7]. Budget for 1080p.
- A short cinematic shot of one character at 4K: Veo 3.1, accepting the three-image limit[8].
- Designing the character's master pictures: an image model such as Midjourney, then animate those pictures with one of the video models above.
Whatever you pick, the method matters more than the model: one master picture, one fixed description, first-frame generation. Our character consistency guide and how to keep an AI character consistent cover the method.
Where Cast fits
- You want a character library on your phone without an API account: Cast saves characters you describe (four drawn looks, 15 credits) and sends the chosen look as the reference to Seedance 2.0 Fast or Seedance 2.5 in every video.
- You want up to three recurring characters in one vertical clip, each with their own numbered reference.
- You want to test before paying: the first 5-second video is free with no sign-up.
Where it does not:
- Using your own photo, drawing or existing character sheet: Cast characters are drawn from a text description, not uploaded.
- Clips longer than 15 seconds or 4K output.
- Choosing between Kling, Veo and Seedance: Cast only runs Seedance.
People also ask
- Which AI video models accept reference images?
- Seedance 2.0 and 2.5[1], Kling 4.0 through Omni Reference[7] and Veo 3.1 and Veo 3.1 Fast[8] all accept reference images. Midjourney video takes one image as the first frame instead[13].
- How many reference images can I use?
- Up to 30 on Seedance 2.5[4], 15 assets on Kling 4.0[7], 9 on Seedance 2.0[1] and 3 on Veo 3.1[8].
- Which is cheapest for consistent characters?
- BytePlus estimates $0.60 for 5 seconds at 720p on Seedance 2.0 Fast and $0.38 on 2.0 Mini[5], with up to 9 reference images in the 2.0 series[4]. Veo 3.1 Fast is $0.10 a second[9] but takes only 3 references, and only on 8-second clips[8]. We could not verify Kling's prices.
- Do any tools keep a character library?
- Kling's Omni Reference accepts "subjects" alongside images and videos[7]. Cast saves every character you make and reuses its picture automatically.
Sources
Claims about other companies come from their own pages, read on the date shown. Products and prices change; check the link for the current version.
- ByteDance Seed: Seedance 2.0 official launch (read )
- ByteDance Seed: Introducing Seedance 2.5 (read )
- BytePlus ModelArk: Seedance 2.0 (read )
- BytePlus ModelArk: Seedance 2.5 (read )
- BytePlus ModelArk: model pricing (read )
- Kling AI: home page (read )
- Kling AI: AI video generator (Kling 4.0) (read )
- Google: Veo on the Gemini API (read )
- Google: Gemini API pricing (read )
- Google Cloud: generative AI pricing (read )
- Hailuo AI: home page (read )
- MiniMax: API pricing (read )
- Midjourney docs: Video (read )
- Midjourney docs: comparing plans (read )
- OpenAI: Sora 2 model page (read )
Related answers
- How do I keep an AI character consistent across videos?
- Seedance 2.0 vs Kling 3: which is better for character videos?
- How do I keep two or three AI characters consistent in one video?
- Seedance vs Veo 3: which is better?
- Why does my AI character's face change between videos?
- What is the best AI video generator in 2026?
Part of the Cast answers library (Character consistency).
Updated