Every AI drama tool,
on one rubric
36 AI short-drama, novel-to-video and video tools from China and the West on one scorecard — parsing, consistency, storyboard, video, audio, compositing, cost — verified against official pages and re-checked monthly.
At a glance
Price per second
How we score
7 criteria · 1–5 each · unscored when evidence is thin · official-page facts only · every tool on the same rubric
This issue
- Verification · 12 SepRe-verified prices and specs against official pages for Kling, Veo/Flow, Sora (API shutdown 2026-09-24), Runway, Pika, invideo AI, LTX Studio, Luma, Vidu, Hailuo and Wan; prices now shown in USD from international pages
- New · 12 SepIn-depth sections on every head-to-head, expanded glossary entries and rewritten guides, each with sources and check dates
- New · 3 SepLearn section: 16 explainers per language on definitions, pipeline, cost, models, monetization, compliance
- Method · 3 SepEditorial policy published; methodology page now defines the derived 'stage coverage' and 'engine strength' figures
- Redesign · 3 SepSite redesigned around charts: score charts, leaderboard, positioning map, model spec charts
- Launch · 2 SepSinCoSphere goes live: 18 tools, 22 head-to-heads, 6 rankings, 6 guides
- Verification · 2 SepFirst full verification of 18 tools and 13 models against official pages (four vendors' prices marked not disclosed)
Overall scores
Mean of the scored criteria, with an n/7 badge. It answers which tool is more complete overall — not which clip looks best.
Mean of scored criteria
Mean of scored criteria
Mean of the scored criteria (each 1–5, one decimal). Criteria without enough evidence are not scored and not counted; the 'n/7 scored' badge says how many went in. It is an editorial rating, not a measurement: one point on one criterion moves the mean by 0.14.
By criterion
Scores are ordinal: ties sit side by side rather than being ranked. Each level shows the rubric anchor, so the gap between a 5 and a 3 is explicit.
Script & novel parsing
- 5Whole novel auto-split; reproducible appearance; scenes, props, hooksSceneMixerPopShort AI
- 4Between anchorsPixmaxElser AI
- 3Script → storyboard, no splittingLTX Studioinvideo AIScenes AIShowrunner StudioOnSoloFrameo.AIKatalistM StudioStoryboarder.aiScreenWeaverMeliesAutoWeebTopview
- 2Between anchorsMorph StudioArgilMagicLightOpenArtMootion
- 1No parsing; single promptsDreaminaKling AIHailuo (MiniMax)WanViduPixVerseCapCutRunwayPikaLuma Dream MachineSora (OpenAI)Veo / Flow (Google)SkyReelsHiggsfield
Script & novel parsing
5 = Whole novel auto-split; reproducible appearance; scenes, props, hooks; 3 = Script → storyboard, no splitting; 1 = No parsing; single prompts.
Character consistency
- 5Cast library + references injected per segment + continuity rulesSceneMixerScenes AIFrameo.AI
- 4Between anchorsKling AIHailuo (MiniMax)ViduLTX StudioPopShort AIShowrunner StudioPixmaxKatalistM StudioStoryboarder.aiMeliesElser AIAutoWeebHiggsfieldOpenArt
- 3Reference images / multi-subject reference, manualDreaminaWanPixVerseRunwayLuma Dream MachineVeo / Flow (Google)invideo AIMorph StudioSkyReelsOnSoloScreenWeaverArgilTopviewMagicLight
- 2Between anchorsPikaSora (OpenAI)
- 1No reference mechanismCapCut
- —Not scored — insufficient evidenceMootion
Character consistency
5 = Cast library + references injected per segment + continuity rules; 3 = Reference images / multi-subject reference, manual; 1 = No reference mechanism.
Storyboard & shot control
- 5Auto storyboard, per-shot editing, timing and cut controlSceneMixerLTX StudioM StudioStoryboarder.ai
- 4Between anchorsMorph StudioPopShort AIPixmaxFrameo.AIKatalistScreenWeaverElser AIAutoWeeb
- 3Canvas / manual arrangementKling AIHailuo (MiniMax)WanPixVerseRunwayLuma Dream MachineVeo / Flow (Google)invideo AIScenes AIOnSoloMeliesArgilTopview
- 2Between anchorsDreaminaViduCapCutSkyReels
- 1No storyboard layerPikaSora (OpenAI)
- —Not scored — insufficient evidenceShowrunner StudioHiggsfieldMagicLightOpenArtMootion
Storyboard & shot control
5 = Auto storyboard, per-shot editing, timing and cut control; 3 = Canvas / manual arrangement; 1 = No storyboard layer.
Video generation quality
- 5Frontier model; stable motion, physics, facesKling AIHailuo (MiniMax)RunwayLuma Dream MachineSora (OpenAI)Veo / Flow (Google)PopShort AIScenes AIPixmaxOnSoloFrameo.AIKatalistM StudioMeliesElser AIAutoWeeb
- 4Between anchorsSceneMixerDreaminaWanViduPixVerseLTX StudioMorph StudioSkyReelsArgilHiggsfieldOpenArt
- 3Usable with occasional artifactsCapCutPikainvideo AI
- 2Between anchors—
- 1Clearly behind—
- —Not scored — insufficient evidenceShowrunner StudioStoryboarder.aiScreenWeaverTopviewMagicLightMootion
Video generation quality
5 = Frontier model; stable motion, physics, faces; 3 = Usable with occasional artifacts; 1 = Clearly behind.
Voice & audio
- 5Controllable character voices with correct lip-sync attributionSceneMixerHailuo (MiniMax)Veo / Flow (Google)Scenes AIFrameo.AIM Studio
- 4Between anchorsKling AIWanCapCutSora (OpenAI)invideo AISkyReelsPixmaxKatalistMeliesElser AIArgil
- 3Native audio, not controllableDreaminaViduPixVerseLTX StudioRunwayLuma Dream MachinePopShort AIShowrunner StudioStoryboarder.aiAutoWeebHiggsfieldTopviewMagicLightMootion
- 2Between anchorsPikaMorph Studio
- 1No audio—
- —Not scored — insufficient evidenceOnSoloScreenWeaverOpenArt
Voice & audio
5 = Controllable character voices with correct lip-sync attribution; 3 = Native audio, not controllable; 1 = No audio.
Episode compositing
- 5One-click episode assemblySceneMixerCapCutinvideo AIScenes AIShowrunner StudioElser AIMagicLight
- 4Between anchorsLTX StudioPopShort AIPixmaxOnSoloFrameo.AIM StudioStoryboarder.aiMelies
- 3Timeline / canvas chainingVeo / Flow (Google)Morph StudioKatalistArgilTopviewMootion
- 2Between anchorsDreaminaPixVerseRunwaySora (OpenAI)AutoWeeb
- 1Export segments, assemble by handKling AIHailuo (MiniMax)WanViduPikaLuma Dream MachineSkyReelsScreenWeaver
- —Not scored — insufficient evidenceHiggsfieldOpenArt
Episode compositing
5 = One-click episode assembly; 3 = Timeline / canvas chaining; 1 = Export segments, assemble by hand.
Cost & free tier
- 5Low per-second price with a usable free tierHailuo (MiniMax)
- 4Between anchorsSceneMixerWanViduCapCutVeo / Flow (Google)Morph StudioSkyReelsScenes AIPixmaxKatalistScreenWeaverAutoWeebMagicLight
- 3Mid-rangeDreaminaKling AIPixVerseLTX StudioPikainvideo AIOnSoloFrameo.AIStoryboarder.aiMeliesElser AIArgilTopviewMootion
- 2Between anchorsRunwayLuma Dream MachinePopShort AIM StudioHiggsfieldOpenArt
- 1Expensive or no free tier—
- —Not scored — insufficient evidenceSora (OpenAI)Showrunner Studio
Cost & free tier
5 = Low per-second price with a usable free tier; 3 = Mid-range; 1 = Expensive or no free tier.
Positioning
Decide first whether you need a pipeline or a video engine — that is the first fork in the road.
Positioning: stage coverage × engine strength
- 1SceneMixer 6.0 / 4.5
- 2Dreamina 3.0 / 3.5
- 3Kling AI 4.0 / 4.5
- 4Hailuo (MiniMax) 4.0 / 5.0
- 5Wan 4.0 / 4.0
- 6Vidu 3.0 / 3.5
- 7PixVerse 4.0 / 3.5
- 8CapCut 3.0 / 3.5
- 9LTX Studio 6.0 / 3.5
- 10Runway 4.0 / 4.0
- 11Pika 1.0 / 2.5
- 12Luma Dream Machine 4.0 / 4.0
- 13Sora (OpenAI) 2.0 / 4.5
- 14Veo / Flow (Google) 5.0 / 5.0
- 15invideo AI 6.0 / 3.5
- 16Morph Studio 4.0 / 3.0
- 17SkyReels 3.0 / 4.0
- 18PopShort AI 6.0 / 4.0
- 19Scenes AI 6.0 / 5.0
- 20Showrunner Studio 4.0 / 3.0
- 21Pixmax 6.0 / 4.5
- 22OnSolo 5.0 / 5.0
- 23Frameo.AI 6.0 / 5.0
- 24Katalist 6.0 / 4.5
- 25M Studio 6.0 / 5.0
- 26Storyboarder.ai 5.0 / 3.0
- 27Melies 6.0 / 4.5
- 28Elser AI 6.0 / 4.5
- 29AutoWeeb 5.0 / 4.0
- 30Argil 5.0 / 4.0
- 31Higgsfield 3.0 / 3.5
- 32Topview 5.0 / 3.0
- 33MagicLight 3.0 / 3.0
- 34OpenArt 2.0 / 4.0
- 35Mootion 2.0 / 3.0
| Tool | Stage coverage (0–6; a criterion ≥ 3 counts) | Engine strength (mean of video + audio, 1–5) |
|---|---|---|
| SceneMixer | 6.0 | 4.5 |
| Dreamina | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| Kling AI | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Hailuo (MiniMax) | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Wan | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Vidu | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| PixVerse | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| CapCut | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| LTX Studio | 6.0 | 3.5 |
| Runway | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Pika | 1.0 | 2.5 |
| Luma Dream Machine | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Sora (OpenAI) | 2.0 | 4.5 |
| Veo / Flow (Google) | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| invideo AI | 6.0 | 3.5 |
| Morph Studio | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| SkyReels | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| PopShort AI | 6.0 | 4.0 |
| Scenes AI | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Showrunner Studio | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Pixmax | 6.0 | 4.5 |
| OnSolo | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Frameo.AI | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Katalist | 6.0 | 4.5 |
| M Studio | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Storyboarder.ai | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Melies | 6.0 | 4.5 |
| Elser AI | 6.0 | 4.5 |
| AutoWeeb | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Argil | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Higgsfield | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| Topview | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| MagicLight | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| OpenArt | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| Mootion | 2.0 | 3.0 |
How the two axes are computed
Stage coverage: of six production stages (parsing, reference art/consistency, storyboard, video, audio, compositing), a stage counts as covered when its criterion scores ≥ 3. Measures how much of book → series the tool does without manual work. Engine strength: mean of video quality and voice & audio — how good each generated segment is.
Scoreboard
All tools →Integer scores on 7 criteria plus the mean; open a tool for the basis of each score.
| # | Tool | Parsing | Consistency | Storyboard | Video | Audio | Compositing | Cost | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SceneMixerEnd-to-end AI short-drama pipeline | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.7/5 |
| 2 | Scenes AIAI mini-drama generator | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.3/5 |
| 3 | PixmaxMulti-model creative canvas | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.1/5 |
| 4 | Frameo.AIAI video production canvas | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4.1/5 |
| 5 | Elser AIAI anime creation platform | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4.1/5 |
| 6 | M StudioEnd-to-end AI filmmaking | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4.0/5 |
| 7 | PopShort AIAI drama factory | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3.9/5 |
| 8 | KatalistScript to storyboard to video | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3.9/5 |
| 9 | Showrunner StudioSerialized AI show studio | 3 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 5 | — | 3.8/54/7 scored |
| 10 | LTX StudioAI narrative production workstation | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.7/5 |
| 11 | Storyboarder.aiAI pre-production platform | 3 | 4 | 5 | — | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.7/56/7 scored |
| 12 | MeliesAll-in-one AI film studio | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3.7/5 |
| 13 | AutoWeebAI anime video generator | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3.6/5 |
| 14 | OnSoloSolo AI filmmaking platform | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | — | 4 | 3 | 3.5/56/7 scored |
| 15 | Hailuo (MiniMax)Video generation model / creation platform | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 3.4/5 |
| 16 | Veo / Flow (Google)Video generation model / creation tool | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3.4/5 |
| 17 | invideo AIAI finished-video tool (marketing / explainer) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3.4/5 |
| 18 | MagicLightStory-to-video tool (long form / templates) | 2 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3.4/55/7 scored |
| 19 | Morph StudioAI short-film workstation | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3.1/5 |
| 20 | ArgilAI avatar video platform | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.1/5 |
| 21 | Kling AIVideo generation model / creation platform | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3.0/5 |
| 22 | ScreenWeaverScript-first pre-production | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3.0/55/7 scored |
| 23 | TopviewAI short-drama & video platform | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.0/56/7 scored |
| 24 | OpenArtAI image & video studio | 2 | 4 | — | 4 | — | — | 2 | 3.0/54/7 scored |
| 25 | WanVideo generation model / creation platform | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2.9/5 |
| 26 | CapCutEditing + AI generation | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2.9/5 |
| 27 | HiggsfieldAI video & image creative suite | 1 | 4 | — | 4 | 3 | — | 2 | 2.8/55/7 scored |
| 28 | MootionVisual storytelling tool (explainer / education) | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2.8/54/7 scored |
| 29 | ViduVideo generation model / creation platform | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2.7/5 |
| 30 | PixVerseVideo generation model / creation platform | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2.7/5 |
| 31 | RunwayVideo generation model / creation platform | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2.7/5 |
| 32 | SkyReelsVideo generation model + API | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2.7/5 |
| 33 | DreaminaVideo generation model / creation platform | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2.6/5 |
| 34 | Luma Dream MachineVideo generation model / creation platform | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2.6/5 |
| 35 | Sora (OpenAI)Video generation model / app | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | 2.5/56/7 scored |
| 36 | PikaVideo generation model / creation platform | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1.9/5 |
Head-to-head
All comparisons →29 pairs: one fact table, one rubric, “pick A if…”.
Model profiles
All models →The models under the platforms: seconds per generation, references, audio, list prices.
Video models: seconds per generation
Published per-second prices (platform prices + API list prices)
Learn
All 15 →Understand first: what AI short drama is, how it is made, what it costs, how to stay compliant.
What Is an AI Short Drama? (And How It Differs From Micro-Drama, Animation and AI Video)
What an AI short drama is (9:16, 60–120 s episodes, AI-generated picture and sound), how it is made, and how it differs …
The AI Short-Drama Pipeline: From Novel to Finished Episode in Six Stages
Novel to AI short-drama episode in six stages — parse, reference art, storyboard, segment video, voice, compositing — wi…
How Much Does an AI Short Drama Cost? Per Minute, Per Episode, Per Season (2026)
From a few dollars to $1,000 per episode: a 10-episode, 90-second vertical series priced bottom-up at September-2026 lis…
Character Consistency in AI Video: Why Faces Drift and How to Keep a Cast Stable Across 60 Episodes
Why faces drift (fresh sampling per call, text overriding references, inherited light and expression) and a cost-ordered…
Writing Prompts for AI Video Models: Describe Causes, Not Effects (and Stop Stacking '8K Masterpiece')
Kling, Veo and Wan's official guides agree: describe what produces the picture in plain language, skip SD-era trigger wo…
Which AI Video Model for Short Drama in 2026: Seedance vs Kling vs Hailuo vs Wan vs Veo vs Sora
Pick by task, not hype. A decision table across native audio, reference images, segment length, resolution, moderation a…
Guides
All 9 →Do it: workflow, cost breakdown, storyboard template, localization, monetization.
Novel to AI Short Drama: a 2026 Workflow from Manuscript to a 10-Episode Vertical Series
A step-by-step production plan: clear the adaptation rights, size one story arc into episodes, parse cast and scene shee…
What an AI Short Drama Costs in 2026: a Line-by-Line Budget for a 10-Episode Vertical Series
A budgeting worksheet for a 10 × 90-second vertical series: token math for parsing and storyboards, per-image reference …
Character Consistency in AI Video: a Four-Layer Checklist to Stop Faces Drifting Across Episodes
A do-it checklist for keeping one cast stable across a series: an appearance-text template, the character-sheet spec, pe…
Glossary
All terms →FAQ
What is the difference between an AI short-drama tool and an AI video generator?
A video generator (Kling, Hailuo, Runway, Pika, Luma, Veo) produces one clip per call, usually 4–15 seconds and up to 30 on Wan 3.0 or Seedance 2.5; an AI short-drama tool (for example SceneMixer or LTX Studio) adds parsing and episode splitting, a cast library, storyboard scripts and episode compositing — it outputs a series, not a clip.
How are the scores produced?
Seven criteria scored 1–5 each: parsing, consistency, storyboard control, video quality, audio, compositing, cost — from official documentation and vendor pages; criteria with insufficient information are left unscored. Full rubric on the methodology page.
How does this site keep its reviews fair?
Every tool is scored on the same published rubric; facts are limited to official public information with a last-checked date and source URL; no paid placements, no ads, no affiliate links; the basis for every score is written on the tool page and corrections are welcome.
What does one episode of AI short drama cost?
At September-2026 list prices, a 90-second episode runs roughly $6–11 at 720p and $13–23 at 1080p including 30–50% regeneration headroom. See the cost breakdown.