Google Launches Veo 3.1 Lite — Most Cost-Effective Video Model Now in Gemini API
Google DeepMind has launched Veo 3.1 Lite, a new video generation model that cuts the cost of AI video production by more than half compared to Veo 3.1 Fast — while matching its speed. Available today through the Gemini API paid tier and Google AI Studio, Veo 3.1 Lite supports both Text-to-Video and Image-to-Video generation at 720p or 1080p resolution, in landscape (16:9) or portrait (9:16) format, with selectable clip durations of 4, 6, or 8 seconds.
The pricing drop is significant for developers who've been watching AI video costs closely. Until now, the economics of integrating video generation into high-volume applications were difficult to justify. Veo 3.1 Lite changes that calculus — and Google isn't stopping there. A price cut for Veo 3.1 Fast is scheduled for April 7, which should push the whole Veo tier further into production-ready territory for teams building media-rich AI products.
This release also signals a broader shift in Google's video strategy. With OpenAI's Sora recently shut down due to unsustainable unit economics, Google appears to be deliberately pricing Veo to capture developers who need reliable, affordable video infrastructure — not just a showcase feature. If you're evaluating AI video APIs for production, now is a good time to revisit what Veo can do.