Is AI video cheaper than stock footage?

AI video is dramatically cheaper per clip ($0.20–$2.50 vs $20–$200 for stock licensing) and gives you exact-to-prompt shots. Stock footage still wins for ultra-high-quality broadcast use, real-people scenes you cannot legally generate, and unlimited reuse across multiple projects under one licence. Most agencies now mix both.

  • AI video per clip: $0.20–$2.50.
  • Stock per clip: $20–$200 (or subscription).
  • Stock wins for broadcast quality and real-people reuse.
  • Mixed-stack is the 2026 agency norm.

Real cost breakdown

AI: a 6-second 1080p clip on Veo 3 costs ~$2; on Hailuo ~$0.30. Stock: a single licensed clip from Pond5 or Artgrid is $20–$200, or $30–$60/month for unlimited downloads on a subscription. For 50 clips/month, AI wins by 10×.

When stock still wins

Anything with identifiable real people that you need to use legally and unambiguously. Broadcast-quality 4K footage where every pixel matters. Reusable content across multiple client projects under a single broad licence. For those, stock is still the right call.

FAQ

Can I mix AI and stock in the same project?

Yes, and most agencies do. Use stock for the hero shots and AI for fills and variants.