Pika

★ 3.9/5Free tier

Fast AI video generation with creative effects and scene editing

Free + from $10/mo · Verified 2026-06-19

What is Pika?

Pika is a consumer-friendly AI video generator that creates short clips from text or images. It emphasizes creative effects like Pikaffects (inflate, melt, explode) and scene-level editing tools, making it popular for social media content and creative experimentation.

Pricing

Free tier (150 credits/mo). Standard $10/mo, Pro $30/mo, Unlimited $70/mo. As of June 2026.

Pricing changes often — verified 2026-06-19. Always confirm the current plans on Pika's site.

Pros

✓Lowest paid entry point in this category ($10/mo)
✓Fun creative effects (Pikaffects) unique to this tool
✓Simple interface with fast generation times
✓Free tier with 150 credits per month

Cons

–Output quality below Runway for professional use
–Clip length limited to a few seconds
–Limited control over complex scenes

Key features

Text-to-video and image-to-video
Pikaffects (inflate, crush, melt, explode, etc.)
Scene editing and re-prompting
Lip sync for character dialogue
Video extension and looping
Web-based — no download required

Best for

Social media short-form video contentCreative AI video effects and experimentsQuick text-to-video prototypingMeme and viral content creation

What models does Pika use?

Pika runs on Custom (Pika proprietary)-class models. Building on the API directly instead? Compare raw LLM pricing to see what those models cost per token.

Pika alternatives

Runway★ 4.5

Generative AI video from text, image, or video input

Descript★ 4.4

Edit video and podcasts by editing text — AI-powered post-production

Synthesia★ 4.3

AI avatar videos from text — no camera or studio needed

HeyGen★ 4.2

AI spokesperson videos with instant avatar and voice cloning

See the full AI Video ranking →

FAQ

How much does Pika cost?

Free tier (150 credits/mo). Standard $10/mo, Pro $30/mo, Unlimited $70/mo. As of June 2026.. Pika has a free tier you can start with. Pricing was verified 2026-06-19; check Pika's site for current plans.

Is Pika worth it?

Pika is best for Social media short-form video content, Creative AI video effects and experiments, Quick text-to-video prototyping. Its main strengths are lowest paid entry point in this category ($10/mo) and fun creative effects (pikaffects) unique to this tool. The main trade-offs are output quality below runway for professional use and clip length limited to a few seconds.

Does Pika have a free trial or free plan?

Yes — Pika offers a free plan or trial so you can test it before paying.

What are the best Pika alternatives?

Strong ai video alternatives to Pika include Runway, Descript, Synthesia, HeyGen. Compare them on our AI Video roundup.