Google launches Veo 3.1 Lite, cutting video generation costs by half

Google announced Veo 3.1 Lite today, positioning itself as committed to video generation as OpenAI exits the space. The new model is priced at less than 50% of Veo 3.1 Fast's cost, making it Google's most cost-effective video generation offering to date.

Model hierarchy and capabilities

Veo 3.1 Lite sits beneath Veo 3.1 Fast in Google's video generation lineup, with Veo 3.1 remaining at the top tier. The model is designed for "high-volume video applications" and supports:

• Text-to-video generation
• Image-to-video generation
• Resolution options: 720p or 1080p
• Aspect ratios: 16:9 (landscape) and 9:16 (portrait)
• Customizable video duration: 4s, 6s, or 8s (with cost adjusting per duration)
• Generation speed matching Veo 3.1 Fast

Pricing and availability

Exact pricing for Veo 3.1 Lite has not been disclosed, but Google confirmed it costs "less than 50%" of Veo 3.1 Fast's current rate. Veo 3.1 Fast itself is receiving a price reduction on April 7, 2026.

Veo 3.1 Lite is available immediately through:

• Gemini API
• Google AI Studio

Integration and commitment

Veo technology is already integrated across multiple Google products including YouTube Shorts, Google Photos, Google Vids, the Gemini app, and the dedicated Flow tool. Google's statement suggests additional announcements are forthcoming: "Our commitment to making video generation more available to developers doesn't stop with the release of Veo 3.1 Lite. Stay tuned for more updates soon!"

The announcement comes days after OpenAI announced it would discontinue Sora video generation, ceding that market to competitors like Google, Runway, and others.

What this means

Google is doubling down on video generation at the moment when OpenAI is retreating. By tiering Veo pricing with a cost-optimized Lite version, Google targets volume use cases where Veo 3.1 and Veo 3.1 Fast pricing may have been prohibitive. The sub-50% pricing positions Veo 3.1 Lite for developers building high-throughput video applications. The cryptic commitment to future announcements suggests Google plans additional pricing tiers or capability expansions soon.