Which AI Video Models Support Native Audio? (2026)
15 of 28 tracked model records generate native audio. Prices range from $0.05/sec (Grok, free audio) to $0.40/sec (Veo 3.1 1080p with audio), with HappyHorse now API-priced on FAL/Replicate.
Summary: 15 of 28 tracked AI video model records support native audio generation as of April 2026. Cheapest with audio: Grok Imagine Video at $0.05/sec (720p, audio free). Most expensive among active comparable audio rows: Veo 3.1 1080p at $0.40/sec. Audio surcharges range from 0% (Grok, LTX-2 Pro, Sora 2, Vidu Q3) to 100% (Veo 3.1). Best lip-sync: Veo 3.1 ($0.40/sec). Best lip-sync value: LTX-2 Pro at $0.06/sec with audio included (LTX-2 Community License). Two models — Grok and LTX-2 Pro — include audio at no extra charge above base price. All prices from FAL.ai (Trust: HIGH).
Of the 28 AI video model records currently available through major APIs, 15 support native audio generation — and the cost of audio varies wildly, from free (included in the base price) to a 100% surcharge. We mapped every model’s audio capability, pricing, and quality to help you decide when to generate audio natively versus adding it in post-production.
The cheapest audio: Grok Imagine Video at $0.05/sec with audio included free. The most expensive comparable active row: Veo 3.1 1080p + Audio at $0.40/sec. The key insight: audio adds 40–100% cost on most models, but two models — Grok and LTX-2 Pro — include it at no extra charge.
Prices verified: April 14, 2026.
Complete Audio Capability Matrix: All 28 Model Records
This table covers every model tracked on our platform. “Audio” means the model generates synchronized sound effects, ambient audio, or voice as part of the video output — not just background music added in post.
| Model | Audio | $/sec (no audio) | $/sec (with audio) | Audio Cost | Lip-Sync |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grok Imagine Video | Yes | $0.05 | $0.05 | Free | No |
| LTX-2 Pro | Yes | $0.06 | $0.06 | Free | Yes |
| Wan 2.7 | Yes | $0.10 | $0.10 | Included | Basic |
| Wan 2.1 | No | $0.20/gen | — | — | No |
| PixVerse V6 | Yes | $0.025 | ~$0.04 | +60% | Yes (separate endpoint) |
| Veo 3 Fast | Yes | $0.10 | $0.15 | +50% | Yes |
| Luma Ray2 | Yes | $0.10 | ~$0.15 | +50% | No |
| Kling v3 Standard / Pro | Yes | $0.084–$0.112 | $0.126–$0.168 | +50% | Yes |
| Sora 2 | Yes | $0.10 | $0.10 | Included | Basic |
| Vidu Q3 | Yes | $0.07 | $0.07 | Included | No |
| SkyReels V4 | Yes | $0.10 | ~$0.14 | +40% | No |
| Seedance 1.5 | Yes | $0.10 | $0.15 | +50% | Yes |
| Seedance 2.0 | Yes | $0.3024 | $0.3024 | Included | Yes |
| Veo 3.1 | Yes | $0.20 | $0.40 | +100% | Best |
| HappyHorse 1.0 | Yes | $0.14 | $0.14–$0.28 | Included | Best (7 langs) |
| Kling 2.5 Turbo | No | $0.042 | — | — | — |
| Runway Gen-4 | No | $0.05–$0.12 | — | — | — |
| Runway Gen-4.5 | No | $0.12 | — | — | — |
| Minimax Hailuo | No | $0.045 | — | — | — |
| Hailuo 02 Pro | No | $0.08 | — | — | — |
| Pika 2.0 | No | $0.04 | — | — | — |
| Pika 2.5 | No | N/A | — | — | — |
| Luma Ray 3 | No | $0.20/clip | — | — | — |
| CogVideoX | No | $0.20/clip | — | — | — |
| Mochi 1 | No | $0.40/clip | — | — | — |
| HunyuanVideo | No | $0.02 | — | — | — |
| FramePack | No | Self-host | — | — | — |
“Free” means audio is included in the base $/sec price with no surcharge. “Included” means audio is part of the standard output. HappyHorse 1.0 generation pricing is verified on FAL and Replicate; video-edit pricing remains guarded because provider copy currently conflicts.
The Cost of Audio: 40–100% Surcharge
The most important takeaway from this data: audio is not free on most models. When a model advertises $0.112/sec, that’s typically the silent-video price. Adding audio bumps it to $0.168/sec (Kling v3) or doubles it entirely ($0.20 to $0.40 for Veo 3.1). If your project budget assumes the base rate, you could be 50–100% over budget once you add sound.
| Model | Without Audio | With Audio | Audio Surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grok Imagine Video | $0.05/sec | $0.05/sec | $0.00 (0%) |
| LTX-2 Pro | $0.06/sec | $0.06/sec | $0.00 (0%) |
| Kling v3 | $0.112/sec | $0.168/sec | +$0.056 (+50%) |
| Seedance 1.5 | $0.10/sec | $0.15/sec | +$0.05 (+50%) |
| Veo 3.1 (1080p) | $0.20/sec | $0.40/sec | +$0.20 (+100%) |
Cheapest Models with Audio
If your project requires native audio, here are your options ranked by cost:
| Rank | Model | $/sec with Audio | Resolution | Lip-Sync | 10s clip cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grok Imagine Video | $0.05 | 720p | No | $0.50 |
| 2 | LTX-2 Pro | $0.06 | 1080p | Yes | $0.60 |
| 3 | Vidu Q3 | $0.07 | 540p | No | $0.70 |
| 4 | Wan 2.7 | $0.10 | 1080p | Basic | $1.00 |
| 5 | Sora 2 | $0.10 | 720p | Basic | $1.00 |
| 6 | Veo 3 Fast | $0.15 | 1080p | Yes | $1.50 |
| 7 | Seedance 1.5 | $0.15 | 1080p | Yes | $1.50 |
| 8 | Kling v3 | $0.168 | 1080p API | Yes | $1.68 |
| 9 | Seedance 2.0 | $0.3024 | 1080p | Yes | $3.02 |
| 10 | Veo 3.1 (1080p) | $0.40 | 1080p | Best | $4.00 |
When to Use Native Audio
- Lip-sync content— If your video includes speaking characters, native audio is essential. Veo 3.1 has the best lip-sync quality; LTX-2 Pro is the cheapest lip-sync option at $0.06/sec.
- Sound effects tied to motion— Footsteps, door slams, splashes — sounds that must perfectly match on-screen action. Native generation handles timing automatically. Grok at $0.05/sec is ideal for these ambient clips.
- Quick social content— When you need finished video with sound in minutes, native audio eliminates the post-production step.
When to Skip Native Audio
- Music-backed content— If you’re adding a specific track anyway, paying for native audio generation is wasteful. Use a silent model like Kling 2.5 Turbo ($0.042/sec) and add music in post.
- Voiceover content— Professional voiceover with a specific voice requires a dedicated TTS tool. Generate silent video and layer the VO on top.
- Budget-constrained projects— If audio adds 50–100% to your cost and you can add acceptable audio in post for less, skip native audio. This is especially true at scale: 100 clips at $0.112/sec (Kling v3 silent) versus $0.168/sec (with audio) saves $56 on 10-second clips.
Notable Audio Gaps
Several popular models still lack native audio, which limits their use for finished content:
- Runway Gen-4 — No audio, despite excellent Motion Brush control. Current Gen-4.5 docs also do not verify native audio.
- Minimax Hailuo and Hailuo 02 Pro — Both silent despite strong video quality. Minimax has announced audio support is in development.
- Pika 2.0 and Pika 2.5 — Neither version supports audio. Combined with 720p max resolution, this limits Pika to prototyping and stylized content.
- Luma Ray 3 — Silent, despite the older Luma Ray2 having audio support. A surprising regression in the newer model.
Recommendations
Best budget audio: Grok Imagine Video at $0.05/sec. Audio included free, 1080p output, fastest generation (~17 seconds). Ideal for social content and prototyping.
Best audio quality: Veo 3.1 at $0.40/sec (1080p + audio). Best-in-class lip-sync and sound design. Worth the premium for dialogue-heavy or cinematic content.
Best lip-sync value: LTX-2 Pro at $0.06/sec. Lip-sync with audio included at no extra cost. Open weights under the LTX-2 Community License. The most cost-effective path to talking-head content.
Best silent model: Kling 2.5 Turboat $0.042/sec. If you don’t need audio at all, this offers the best quality-per-dollar for silent video at 1080p.
For full pricing details, see our AI video pricing guide, or compare models side-by-side on the model comparison page.
FAQ
Which AI video models generate audio natively?
As of April 2026, 15 of the 28 tracked AI video model records support native audio generation. These include Kling v3 Standard, Kling v3 Pro, Seedance 2.0, Seedance 1.5, Sora 2, Veo 3.1, Veo 3 Fast, Grok Imagine Video, Wan 2.7, LTX-2 Pro, SkyReels V4, PixVerse V6, Vidu Q3, Luma Ray2, and HappyHorse 1.0. The remaining 13 models, including Runway Gen-4.5 and Wan 2.1, are silent-only in current verified docs.
How much extra does audio cost on AI video models?
Audio typically adds 40-100% to the base cost. Kling v3 goes from $0.112/sec to $0.168/sec (50% increase). Veo 3.1 doubles from $0.20/sec to $0.40/sec. Notable exceptions: Grok Imagine Video ($0.05/sec), LTX-2 Pro ($0.06/sec), and HappyHorse generation ($0.14/sec at 720p, $0.28/sec at 1080p on FAL/Replicate) include native audio in the listed generation price.
Which AI video model has the cheapest audio?
Grok Imagine Video at $0.05/sec includes native audio free — no surcharge at all. LTX-2 Pro at $0.06/sec also includes audio in the base price. These are the two cheapest options for video with native sound generation.
Should I generate audio natively or add it in post-production?
Generate natively when you need lip-sync, ambient sound effects tied to motion, or quick content. Add in post-production when you need specific music tracks, voiceovers from a particular voice, or precise audio editing. Native audio saves time but offers less control.
Sources
- Kling v3 on FAL.ai — Audio pricing: $0.168/sec vs $0.112/sec without
- Veo 3.1 on FAL.ai — Best lip-sync quality, $0.40/sec with audio
- Grok Imagine Video on FAL.ai — Audio included free at $0.05/sec
- LTX-2 Pro on FAL.ai — Audio included free at $0.06/sec
- FAL Happy Horse text-to-video API — Synchronized native audio with $0.14/sec 720p and $0.28/sec 1080p pricing
Related reading
AI Video Lip Sync: 13 Models Compared (2026 Guide)
13 of 28 tracked AI video model records now support native lip-sync — up from 8 in early 2026. Veo 3.1 leads on verified accuracy; HappyHorse is now API-priced on FAL/Replicate.
AI Video Models with 4K Output: Resolution Guide (2026)
Native 4K API output is currently safest to treat as an LTX-2/LTX-2.3-family workflow. FAL.ai lists LTX-2 Pro at $0.24/sec for 2160p; Kling v3 and Veo 3.1 remain verified at up to 1080p via API. Full resolution comparison across 28 model records with trust tiers.
Where to Try HappyHorse 1.0: FAL API, Replicate, Alibaba Cloud, Pricing and Weights Status
HappyHorse 1.0 is now available through FAL and Replicate APIs. Track verified endpoint IDs, $0.14/s and $0.28/s pricing, Alibaba Cloud docs, weights, and wrapper claims.
Compare next
HappyHorse is now API-available on FAL and Replicate with verified generation pricing, but public weights, self-hosting, and long-run production behavior are still not verified. Seedance 2 remains the more established production choice when you need broader workflow history, while HappyHorse is worth testing directly for native-audio quality and current arena momentum.
HappyHorse is now API-available on FAL and Replicate with verified generation pricing, strong native-audio positioning, and current benchmark momentum, but public weights, self-hosting, and long-run provider behavior are still not verified. Kling v3 Pro remains the safer production choice when camera control, multi-shot structure, mature provider history, and lower operational uncertainty matter more than testing the newest model.
Veo 3.1 and Kling v3 Pro are both verified at up to 1080p through current API/provider docs, and the two differ sharply in duration, audio, and pricing. Kling generates up to 15 seconds at $0.112/s without audio, or $0.168/s with native audio, plus 6-shot multishot. Veo offers 8-second clips at $0.10/s (Fast, no audio) or $0.40/s (Standard, with best-in-class lip-sync). Kling provides longer clips and multishot for less, while Veo Standard leads on lip-sync quality.
Use cases
Compare the top AI video generators for music videos in 2026. Veo 3 leads on audio and lip-sync, Seedance 2 offers beat-sync, and Kling v3 Pro provides 1080p cinematic output with multi-shot editing.
Compare the cheapest AI video generators in 2026 by real API cost per second. PixVerse v6 leads at $0.025/sec, followed by Pika 2 at $0.04/sec and Kling 2.5 Turbo at $0.042/sec.
Compare the fastest AI video generators in 2026 by generation speed and cost. Kling 2.5 Turbo and Pika 2 lead on turnaround, with PixVerse v6 offering the best speed-value ratio.