Pika

Pika was one of the first AI video apps, known for playful effects like squishing, melting or inflating things in a clip. In September 2026 it relaunched as a set of task-based apps for video, image and sound: Product Ad, Swap Anything, Motion Transfer, Extend Video, Character Studio, and music, speech and sound effect studios. Each app picks a model for you, from Pika's own to Seedance 2.5, MiniMax H3 and Wan.

Pick Pika when you want quick, fun social content without learning prompts, or when you want to swap an object or add an effect to footage you already have. For realistic people and longer scenes, Kling, Veo and Runway are ahead. Pika's own video model has fallen behind the leaders, so the better results now come from the outside models it routes to.

The catch is the plan structure. There are no free monthly credits anymore, the commercial licence starts on Creator at $35 a month, and payments are non-refundable. Reviewers also report failed generations and slow support.

• Social media managers
• Content creators
• Small businesses
• Developers

Social media managers and creators who want quick, eye-catching clips without a learning curve.

• Task apps

  Ready-made apps for product ads, object swaps, motion transfer, extending clips and colour grading.

• Several video models

  Pika 2.5 and Pikaframes alongside Seedance 2.5, MiniMax H3 and Wan, chosen for you or by hand.

• Sound studios

  Make music, voiceover and sound effects, or let Pika Soundtrack score a clip with music and foley.

• Video Studio

  Attach characters, products and settings, then build multi-shot pieces with sound.

• Image tools

  Edit images, design characters and make product shots with models like GPT Image and Nano Banana.

• API, MCP and ChatGPT app

  Use Pika from ChatGPT, from an AI assistant over MCP, or through its developer API.

• Free

  Free

  Buying a credit pack to try it without subscribing.

  • No monthly credits
  • Credit packs at 60 credits for $1
  • No commercial licence

• Starter

  $10/mo, or $8/mo billed yearly

  Personal and hobby use.

  • 900 credits a month
  • No watermark
  • All models
  • No commercial licence
• Our pick

  Creator

  $35/mo, or $28/mo billed yearly

  Businesses posting regularly.

  • 3,150 credits a month
  • Commercial licence
  • 8 videos generating at once

• Fancy

  From $95/mo, or from $76/mo billed yearly

  Heavy users and small studios.

  • 8,550 credits a month and up
  • Priority queue
  • Unlimited generations at once
  • Early access on higher tiers

• Enterprise

  See website

  Companies that need volume and support.

  • Custom credits
  • Dedicated support
  • Enterprise API

Prices in USD unless noted, checked 21 October 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on their site before you buy.

Ways Pika can slot into your week.

1. 1

   Scroll-stopping effects

   Add a playful effect to a product or person for a Reel or TikTok.

2. 2

   Quick product ads

   Turn a product photo into a short ad with the Product Ad app.

3. 3

   Swap things in footage

   Replace an object, outfit or background in an existing clip.

4. 4

   Score a clip

   Add music, ambience and sound effects that match the picture.

Pika is a quick idea and effects tool. Finish clips in CapCut or Canva. If you already pay for Higgsfield or Luma, you may have the same outside models there.

The closest alternatives to Pika in the library, best rated first.

• ElevenLabs4.6/5· best for video voiceoversPika vs ElevenLabs
• TurboScribe4.4/5· best for interview and research transcriptsPika vs TurboScribe
• OpusClip4.3/5· best for turning podcasts into shortsPika vs OpusClip
• Moises4.2/5· best for practising with the part you play mutedPika vs Moises

Nobody has reviewed Pika here yet. If you use it, your take helps everyone else choose.