video model comparison
Grok Imagine Video 1.5 vs Veo 3.1 Preview
Grok Imagine Video 1.5 and Veo 3.1 Preview are both current video models, from xAI and Google. Grok Imagine Video 1.5 lists $0.08 and Veo 3.1 Preview $0.40 (720p or 1080p, with audio) per video second, at different tiers, so the prices are not like for like. On Arena Image-to-Video, Grok Imagine Video 1.5 scores 1456 Elo and Veo 3.1 Preview 1398 Elo (Arena, measured September 22, 2026).
Data verified November 3, 2026 · Dataset 2026-11-03
Side by side
Grok Imagine Video 1.5 and Veo 3.1 Preview, line by line
Prices in effect today, compared at the same tier wherever both list one. The better value in each row is highlighted.
| Fact | Grok Imagine Video 1.5 | Veo 3.1 Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Price per video second | $0.08 | $0.40 (720p or 1080p, with audio) |
| Independent benchmarks | ||
| Arena Image-to-Video | 1456 Elo (#3 of 5) (better) | 1398 Elo (#5 of 5) |
| Artificial Analysis Video Arena (image to video) | 1051 Elo (#2 of 4) | Not measured |
| Artificial Analysis Video Arena (text to video) | 1058 Elo (#3 of 4) | Not measured |
| Arena Text-to-Video | Not measured | 1364 Elo (#3 of 5) |
| Specs | ||
| Provider | xAI | |
| Release date | Not reported | October 15, 2025 |
| Access | API only | API only |
| Context window | Not reported | Not reported |
| Max output | Not reported | Not reported |
| Input | text, image | text, image |
| Output | video | video, audio |
The two list prices for different tiers, shown in brackets, so neither is marked cheaper.
Scores:Arena · 2026-11-03Artificial Analysis · 2026-11-03Artificial Analysis · 2026-11-03
Charts
Against every current video model
Where Grok Imagine Video 1.5 and Veo 3.1 Preview land among the current models of their task, on every independent benchmark, on price and on context.
Where each stands
On Arena Image-to-Video, Grok Imagine Video 1.5 ranks #3 and Veo 3.1 Preview #5 of 5 current models. Each bar is the share of current models it beats: on score, price and context.
Independent benchmarks
Arena Image-to-Video
Grok Imagine Video 1.5:#3of 5
1,456 Elo · ahead of 50%
Veo 3.1 Preview:#5of 5
1,398 Elo · ahead of 0%
Arena Text-to-Video
Grok Imagine Video 1.5: Not scored
Veo 3.1 Preview:#3of 5
1,364 Elo · ahead of 50%
Artificial Analysis Video Arena (image to video)
Grok Imagine Video 1.5:#2of 4
1,051 Elo · ahead of 67%
Veo 3.1 Preview: Not scored
Artificial Analysis Video Arena (text to video)
Grok Imagine Video 1.5:#3of 4
1,058 Elo · ahead of 33%
Veo 3.1 Preview: Not scored
Price and context
Price per video second
Grok Imagine Video 1.5:#4of 8
$0.08 · cheaper than 57%
Veo 3.1 Preview:#8of 8
$0.40 · cheaper than 0%
Quality against price
Grok Imagine Video 1.5 scores 1,456 at $0.08; Veo 3.1 Preview scores 1,398 at $0.4 (price per video second). The line joins the current models no other beats on both price and Arena Image-to-Video score; hover any point to name it.
Quality against price: the data
| Model | Provider | Price per video second | Arena Image-to-Video (Elo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini Omni Flash 1.1 | $0.10 | 1,488 | |
| Dreamina Seedance 2.5 | ByteDance Seed | $0.23 | 1,477 |
| Grok Imagine Video 1.5 | xAI | $0.080 | 1,456 |
| grok-imagine-video | xAI | $0.050 | 1,415 |
| Veo 3.1 Preview | $0.40 | 1,398 |
Cost
What each costs
Example workloads at each provider's listed rates, then every other rate either one lists. The cheaper figure in each row is highlighted.
| Workload or rate | Grok Imagine Video 1.5 | Veo 3.1 Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Example workloads | ||
| One minute of video | $4.80 | $24 (720p or 1080p, with audio) |
Your own bill will differ. These figures use list prices and example workloads. The AI Model Cost Audit reviews your real usage, shortlists models that score as well for each task for less, and estimates the savings.
Launch price $100, regular price $150
Verdict
When to choose each
Grok Imagine Video 1.5
Where it leads
- Higher Arena Image-to-Video score, 1456 Elo vs 1398 Elo
Best for
- Short 1080p clips with sound
Watch out for
- Editing and extending videos still use the older grok-imagine-video model
- xAI lists one $0.080 per second price with no breakdown by resolution
- xAI has not published a release date
Veo 3.1 Preview
Where it leads
- Also outputs audio
- Supports sound generation
Best for
- Gemini API video generation with audio
Watch out for
- Preview models may change and have stricter rate limits
From benchmark to production
Building on Grok Imagine Video 1.5 or Veo 3.1 Preview?
Public scores rarely hold on your own data. We test both models on your real tasks, then build the agent or pipeline around the one that wins.
AI Model Cost AuditLaunch price $100, regular price $150What the audit includes
FAQ
Grok Imagine Video 1.5 vs Veo 3.1 Preview FAQ
Which is cheaper, Grok Imagine Video 1.5 or Veo 3.1 Preview?
Grok Imagine Video 1.5 lists $0.08 and Veo 3.1 Preview $0.40 (720p or 1080p, with audio) per video second, at different tiers, so the prices are not like for like.
Which scores higher on independent benchmarks, Grok Imagine Video 1.5 or Veo 3.1 Preview?
Grok Imagine Video 1.5 leads on Arena Image-to-Video, 1456 Elo to 1398 Elo. Scores are independent evaluations, not either vendor's launch figures.
How do Grok Imagine Video 1.5 and Veo 3.1 Preview differ in features?
Grok Imagine Video 1.5 produces video; Veo 3.1 Preview produces video and audio. Only Veo 3.1 Preview supports sound generation.
Further reading
More on Grok Imagine Video 1.5 and Veo 3.1 Preview
Related comparisons
- Gemini Omni Flash 1.1 vs Grok Imagine Video 1.5
- Gemini Omni Flash 1.1 vs Veo 3.1 Preview
- Dreamina Seedance 2.5 vs Grok Imagine Video 1.5
- Dreamina Seedance 2.5 vs Veo 3.1 Preview
- Grok Imagine Video 1.5 vs Grok Imagine Video 1.5 Lite
- grok-imagine-video vs Veo 3.1 Preview
- grok-imagine-video vs Grok Imagine Video 1.5
- Gen-4.5 vs Veo 3.1 Preview
- Grok Imagine Video 1.5 vs Wan 3.0 Video
- Veo 3.1 Preview vs Wan 3.0 Video
- Grok Imagine Video 1.5 vs Veo 3.1 Lite Preview
- Veo 3.1 Lite Preview vs Veo 3.1 Preview
Production evaluation
Choosing between Grok Imagine Video 1.5 and Veo 3.1 Preview?
Public benchmarks narrow the shortlist. We run both on your own tasks, data and cost limits, then build the routing and review controls to run the winner in production.
- A head-to-head evaluation on your real workload
- Routing between models by cost and difficulty