Melies uses a credit-based system for AI image and video generation. Every model has a specific credit cost, so you always know exactly what you are spending before you generate. This guide covers how credits work, what each model costs, and how to get the most out of your budget.
How Credits Work
Credits are the single currency for all AI generation in Melies. Here is how they work:
- Subscribe to a plan on the page to receive your monthly credit allocation
- Generate content — each image or video costs a set number of credits based on the model you choose
- Track your usage — your remaining credit balance is always visible in the app
- Credits refresh with each billing cycle
The credit cost is determined by two factors:
- The model you select (each model has a base credit cost)
- The resolution (for models with resolution-based pricing)
Image Generation Costs
Here is what each image model costs per generation:
| Model | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flux Schnell | 2 | Cheapest option, fastest speed, basic quality |
| FLUX.2 klein | 5 | Very affordable, fast, good quality |
| Nano Banana | 10 | Good quality, fast, 1K resolution |
| Flux Dev | 10 | Good quality, medium speed |
| Seedream 4 Edit | 10 | High quality, supports up to 4K |
| Seedream 4.5 | 10 | High quality, supports up to 4K |
| Nano Banana 2 | 15 base (8-40 by resolution) | Best quality, resolution-based pricing |
| Nano Banana Pro | 15 | High quality, supports up to 4K |
| Flux Pro | 15 | High quality, standard ratios |
| Grok Imagine | 15 | High quality, 13 aspect ratios |
| FLUX.2 flex | 15 | Good quality, custom resolutions up to 14142px |
| Flux Kontext | 20 | High quality, 9 aspect ratios |
| FLUX.2 pro | 20 | High quality, custom resolutions up to 14142px |
| Flux Pro Ultra | 20 | High quality, up to 2K |
| Flux Kontext Max | 25 | Best quality, 9 aspect ratios |
| FLUX.2 max | 25 | Best quality, custom resolutions up to 14142px |
Resolution-Based Pricing
Most image models have a flat credit cost regardless of resolution. The exception is Nano Banana 2, which adjusts cost based on output resolution:
| Resolution | Credits |
|---|---|
| 0.5K | 8 |
| 1K | 15 |
| 2K | 25 |
| 4K | 40 |
This variable pricing reflects the increased computational cost of generating higher-resolution images. Use lower resolutions for drafts and testing, then render at 4K only for your final outputs.
Video Generation Costs
Video generation requires significantly more computational resources than images, which is reflected in the credit costs:
| Model | Credits | Resolution | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTX 2 Pro | 50 | HD | ~4.8s |
| Kling v3 Standard | 60 | HD | 3-15s |
| WAN v2.2 | 60 | 480-720p | ~5s |
| Hailuo 02 | 70 | 512P / 768P | 6s or 10s |
| Kling O3 Standard | 80 | HD | 3-15s |
| Seedance v1 Pro | 80 | 1080p | 2-12s |
| Kling v3 Pro | 100 | HD | 3-15s |
| Veo 3.1 | 400 | 4K | 4-8s |
Understanding Video Costs
Video models range from 50 to 400 credits. The cost reflects multiple factors:
- Resolution — 4K costs more to generate than 720p
- Duration — Longer clips require more processing
- Quality level — Higher fidelity output uses more compute
- Special features — Native audio (Veo 3.1), multi-shot (Kling v3 Pro), camera control (LTX 2 Pro)
Free Features
Not everything in Melies costs credits. The following features are free to use:
- Movie Idea Generator — Brainstorm film concepts, characters, story archetypes, and plot structures at no cost. Use it to develop your creative direction before spending credits on generation.
- Project management — Creating projects, writing scripts, organizing scenes, and planning your film costs nothing.
- Editor and timeline — Using the editor, arranging scenes, and working with the timeline is free. You only pay credits when you generate new AI content.
- Script import — Importing scripts from PDF, FDX, Fountain, or TXT files is free.
Tips for Optimizing Credit Usage
1. Draft First, Render Later
Use affordable models for your creative exploration phase:
| Phase | Recommended Model | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Image brainstorming | Flux Schnell | 2 per image |
| Image drafts | FLUX.2 klein | 5 per image |
| Video blocking | LTX 2 Pro | 50 per video |
| Final image renders | Nano Banana 2 or FLUX.2 max | 15-25 per image |
| Final video renders | Veo 3.1 or Kling v3 Pro | 100-400 per video |
2. Get Your Prompt Right Before Upgrading
Iterate on your prompts with cheap models. Once you are happy with the composition, framing, and content, switch to a premium model for the final render. A single Flux Schnell generation (2 credits) costs 12x less than a FLUX.2 max generation (25 credits).
3. Use the Right Model for the Task
Not every scene needs the most expensive model:
- Establishing shots and backgrounds — Mid-range models like Flux Pro (15 credits) are often sufficient
- Hero shots and close-ups — Worth the premium of FLUX.2 max (25 credits) or Nano Banana 2
- Quick social media content — Nano Banana (10 credits) delivers great results fast
- Test animations — LTX 2 Pro (50 credits) is 8x cheaper than Veo 3.1 (400 credits)
4. Resolution Matters for Nano Banana 2
If you are using Nano Banana 2, generate at 1K (15 credits) for drafts instead of 4K (40 credits). That saves 25 credits per generation — which adds up fast over a full project.
5. Plan Your Video Budget
Video generation uses the most credits. Before generating, plan which scenes truly need video and which can work as static images or image sequences. A 10-scene project using Kling v3 Standard costs 600 credits total, while the same project with Veo 3.1 costs 4,000 credits.
Credit Cost Summary
At a glance, here is the full credit range across Melies:
| Generation Type | Cheapest | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image | 2 credits (Flux Schnell) | 10-15 credits | 25 credits (FLUX.2 max) |
| Video | 50 credits (LTX 2 Pro) | 60-80 credits | 400 credits (Veo 3.1) |
Visit the
page to see available subscription plans and credit allocations.