What is Vidu?
Vidu is an AI video generator from ShengShu Technology that turns text prompts and reference images into short clips with consistent characters. ShengShu, a Beijing startup linked to Tsinghua University, first showed Vidu in 2024 and has since released newer model versions, with Vidu Q3 the current flagship. It runs in the browser and in mobile apps.
Vidu is best known for its reference-to-video mode, where you upload several images of a character, object or setting and the model keeps them looking the same across a clip. That makes it useful for short story sequences, product shots, anime-style scenes and social media content where the same person has to appear more than once. It also offers start and end frame control, image-to-video animation and templates for quick effects.
Main Features
- Generate video clips from a written prompt.
- Animate a still image into a moving shot.
- Keep characters and objects consistent using several reference images.
- Set a start frame and an end frame and let the model fill the motion between.
- Choose resolution, aspect ratio and clip length before generating.
- Apply ready-made templates for quick effects and social formats.
- Earn extra credits through daily logins, events and the Artist Program.
How to Get Started with Vidu
- Sign up at vidu.com with Google or email and collect the free starter credits.
- Pick text-to-video, image-to-video or reference-to-video.
- Upload your images or write a prompt, then set length and aspect ratio.
- Generate, review the clip and download it or refine the prompt.
Vidu Pricing
Vidu has a free plan with starter credits and slower off-peak generation. Standard costs about $10 per month ($8 billed yearly) for 800 credits, Premium about $35 ($28 yearly) for 4,000 credits, and Ultimate about $99 ($79 yearly) for 8,000 credits. Subscription credits expire after 30 days, and extra credit packs are sold separately.
Who Should Use It?
- Short-form creators who need the same character across several clips.
- Anime and animation fans making stylized scenes.
- Marketers producing quick product and social videos.
- Storytellers prototyping storyboards and trailers.
Vidu Alternatives
- Pika: playful effects and editing tools for social clips
- Luma Dream Machine: strong camera motion and realistic scenes
- PixVerse: similar credit pricing with many viral templates
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vidu free?
Yes, Vidu has a free plan with starter credits and off-peak generation. Paid plans start at about $8 per month billed yearly for more credits and faster output.
What is Vidu used for?
Vidu is used to create short AI videos from text or images. It is popular for keeping the same character consistent across shots.
Who makes Vidu?
Vidu is made by ShengShu Technology, a Chinese AI company based in Beijing. The models are trained in house and offered worldwide through vidu.com and an API.