Vidu: review, test, pricing and alternatives (2026)
The multi-reference-consistency video generator (ShengShu).
Vidu — The multi-reference-consistency video generator (ShengShu). Those who want consistent characters across shots, especially in animation. Editorial rating: 4/5 (Solid).
What is Vidu?
Vidu (by the ShengShu lab) tackles one of generative video's most stubborn puzzles: consistency. Getting the same character, with the same face and clothes, to appear from one shot to the next is notoriously hard — and it's exactly Vidu's specialty, leaning on multiple reference images to keep characters and objects constant from one scene to the next.
That makes it a tool of choice for anyone who wants to tell a continuous story rather than generate isolated shots, with a competitive per-second cost and especially strong output on anime styles.
Its limits are the category's: clips stay short, credits need watching, and realism varies by requested style (it shines more on animation than on pure photorealism). To keep a character consistent across several shots, especially in animation, it's one of the most interesting. Check credits on the official site.
Vidu review: our hands-on test
Vidu
Official visual coming soon
Interesting for character consistency across shots, especially in animation.
Vidu pricing
Indicative pricing (June 2026), subject to change — check the official site.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Multi-reference consistency
- Competitive per-second cost
- Strong on anime styles
Weaknesses
- Short clips
- Credits to watch
- Realism varies by style
Who is it for?
Those who want consistent characters across shots, especially in animation.
Use cases
Vidu vs Synthesia
Vidu in video
Frequently asked questions
- Is Vidu free?
- Vidu offers a free version, then paid plans (Free (credits) · paid plans — see Vidu).
- Who is Vidu for?
- Those who want consistent characters across shots, especially in animation.
- What are the alternatives to Vidu?
- Alternatives to Vidu include: Synthesia, Descript, Runway. Compare them to choose based on your needs and budget.
Best alternatives to Vidu
Synthesia
AI-avatar videos from a simple script.
Descript
Edit your videos and podcasts like a text document.
Runway
The creative studio for generative video.