Google Veo 3 / Veo 3.1: What It Does, What It Costs, and What To Use Instead
Veo 3 (officially Veo 3.1) is Google DeepMind's video model, in Fast and Standard tiers, making 4 to 8 second clips up to native 4K with optional audio. Slates retired Veo on October 2, 2026. For one take up to 30 seconds with up to 30 reference images, Slates runs Seedance 2.5; for native 4K, Seedance 2.0 and Kling 3.0.
| Tier | Resolution | Per second, with audio |
|---|---|---|
| Veo 3.1 Lite | 720p | from $0.05/s |
| Veo 3.1 Fast | 720p | $0.10/s |
| Veo 3.1 Fast | 1080p | $0.12/s |
| Veo 3.1 Standard | 720p or 1080p | $0.40/s |
| Veo 3.1 Standard | 4K | $0.60/s |
Google's own Gemini API rates, which include audio on every clip, verified 2026-09-28. Not available in Slates since October 2, 2026.
What Veo 3.1 actually is
Veo 3.1 is Google's video generation model, built by Google DeepMind. The "3" and "3.1" naming gets confusing because Google released them close together. Most people search for "veo 3" and end up on the 3.1 release page.
There's no "Veo 3 base" anymore. The current model is Veo 3.1, with two quality tiers underneath it: Fast and Standard.
It makes short clips: four, six or eight seconds, and only eight at 1080p and 4K. It takes up to three reference images.
Real pricing for Veo 3.1 across every tier
Veo's pricing has more tiers than most models because of the resolution ladder. Here's Google's own Gemini API breakdown, which bills every Veo clip with audio.
Veo 3.1 Fast is $0.10 per second at 720p and $0.12 per second at 1080p.
Veo 3.1 Standard is $0.40 per second at 720p and 1080p, and $0.60 per second at 4K. Veo 3.1 Lite starts at $0.05 per second at 720p.
Why Slates retired Veo, and what to use instead
Slates retired Veo on October 2, 2026. So the question is which job you wanted Veo for, because the models beside it now do each one.
**Longer scenes in one take: Seedance 2.5.** Veo stops at eight seconds. Seedance 2.5, the Slates default, makes one take up to 30 seconds and holds up to 30 reference images, against Veo's three. You can time beats to the second inside the take.
**Native 4K: Seedance 2.0 or Kling 3.0.** Both reach 4K without an upscale step. Kling 3.0 does it at 21 credits a second in Slates, with audio included. Seedance 2.0 runs 4 to 15 seconds at 4K.
**Acting and start frames: Kling 3.0.** Kling holds a start frame and carries a performance, from 3 to 15 seconds.
How to access Veo 3.1 now
Veo 3.1 is still Google's model. You can reach it through Google Flow, Google's browser tool, or through Google's Gemini API.
Slates no longer runs it. If you want one place that writes the script, makes the shots and cuts them on a timeline, Slates does that with the models above, priced before anything spends.
Frequently asked questions
What is Google Veo 3?+
Veo 3 (currently Veo 3.1) is Google DeepMind's AI video generation model. It comes in Fast and Standard tiers, makes 4 to 8 second clips up to native 4K, and generates audio optionally. Slates retired it on October 2, 2026.
How much does Veo 3.1 cost per second?+
On Google's own Gemini API, which bills every clip with audio, Veo 3.1 Fast is $0.10 per second at 720p and $0.12 at 1080p. Standard is $0.40 per second at 720p and 1080p and $0.60 at 4K, and Veo 3.1 Lite starts at $0.05 at 720p.
Can Veo 3.1 actually output 4K video?+
Yes, native 4K (3840x2160) without any upscale step, on both the Fast and Standard tiers, and only at 8 seconds. In Slates, both reach native 4K: Seedance 2.0 runs 4 to 15 seconds and Kling 3.0 runs 3 to 15.
Is Veo 3.1 available in Slates?+
No. Slates retired Veo on October 2, 2026. Seedance 2.5 is the default video model, with one take up to 30 seconds and up to 30 reference images; Seedance 2.0 and Kling 3.0 cover native 4K.
What's the difference between Veo Fast and Veo Standard?+
Fast generates in roughly half the time and costs far less per second. Standard takes longer and costs more, with stronger motion and prompt adherence on complex scenes with several subjects.
Related
Make the whole video, not one 8 second clip
Slates runs Seedance 2.5, Seedance 2.0 and Kling 3.0 in one desktop studio: script, shots and timeline, with the price shown before anything spends.
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