AI video tools are evolving at incredible speed — but when you use the same prompt across different platforms, real differences start to appear.
We tested three major AI video generators with one identical image and one shared prompt, to see how they truly compare.
And because the results turned out surprisingly similar in overall quality… the real question became: Which one is worth your money?
Let’s break it down.
🧪 Our Test — One Prompt, Three Tools, Same Image
Prompt used in all three tools:
A cinematic shot of a person standing on a quiet sidewalk, holding a cup of coffee. The person gently lifts the cup, takes a small sip, and looks up as if noticing something in the distance. Subtle handheld camera sway, natural daylight, realistic skin tones, stable background, no surreal motion.
We used the exact same reference image, originally generated in Runway.
 Results:
See all three test videos in one place — same prompt, same image, three different AI interpretations
Runway delivered a stable, clean result. Skin tone, lighting and colors matched the input image very well.
The only oddity: Her gaze moves strangely, as if following a bird slightly above the frame. Not a deal-breaker — overall: very usable.
Luma immediately surprised us. Instead of staying put, the woman turned her back to the camera and walked off in the opposite direction — completely unprompted.
But the motion? Beautiful. Fluid. Natural. And the handheld camera feel? The best of all three. Luma = cinematic motion, occasionally chaotic interpretation.
Pika delivered the best coffee-sipping animation. She genuinely looks like she’s enjoying her drink — so much that we wanted a coffee afterward.
Downside: The clip runs longer than needed, so we never saw the “look up” moment.
Still, Pika’s interpretation was the most expressive and charming.
🧾 Summary of Real Test Differences
Bottom line: All three produced fairly similar-quality clips. Differences were stylistic rather than dramatic — which brings us to the real decision factor.
đź’¶ Which One Is the Most Cost-Effective?
Choosing between Runway, Luma and Pika isn’t straightforward, because each platform uses a different mix of pricing tiers, credit systems, quality modes, and clip-length limits. Some charge per second, some per clip, some per model… which makes one-to-one comparison messy.
And since our real-world test showed that the video quality across all three tools was surprisingly similar, the logical next question is: Who gives you the most video for 100 €?
To answer that, we took a realistic, middle-range approach: analyzed average credit usage, used standard 5-second clips and calculated real-life output, not theoretical maximum. This gives a practical sense of value: How much video can you make for your budget?
Pricing Comparison Table (Simplified)
(Approximate values based on standard credit usage & mid-tier plans)
Tool | Typical Plan Price | Approx. Cost per 5s Video | Videos for 100 € |
Runway Gen-4 | ~12–15 € / month (credit-based) | ~0.25–0.60 € | 150–400 videos |
Luma Dream Machine | ~10–30 € / month (depending on tier) | ~0.15–0.50 € | 200–600 videos |
Pika Labs | Freemium + credits (~0.01 €/credit) | ~0.10–0.20 € | 500–1000 |
These are realistic, not “perfect conditions”, numbers. Actual output depends on retries, quality settings, and model type.
Cost-Effectiveness: The Verdict
1.   Most Videos for Your Money: Pika Labs
Perfect if you’re doing lots of tests, short clips, or creative reels. The best “video-per-euro” ratio by far.
2.    Best Balance of Control + Quality: Runway
Strong style consistency, excellent with reference images, predictable results. Great for educational content, storytelling and branded visuals.
3.   Best Motion & Cinematic Feel: Luma AI
Fluid movement and natural camera motion — top-tier for atmospheric scenes. Unpredictable at times, but visually impressive.
🧠Final Thoughts
All three tools handled the same prompt well — each in its own style. Differences were smaller than expected, which means the decision comes down to cost and preferred behavior:
- Runway → stable, sensible, controlled
- Luma → cinematic, fluid, expressive
- Pika → charming, lively, cost-efficient
If you’re creating a large volume of clips, Pika gives you the most freedom.
If you want consistency and professional-looking sequences, Runway wins.
If you care about smooth natural motion, Luma is the clear favorite.
And if you’re like us… you’ll use all three for different parts of the same project.
