On March 31, 2026, Google announced Veo 3.1 Lite, its most cost-effective AI video model so far. It is now rolling out on the paid tier of the Gemini API and in Google AI Studio. Google says the model costs less than 50% of Veo 3.1 Fast while keeping the same speed, which could make AI video easier to use in many apps and services. (blog.google)
Veo 3.1 Lite can create short videos from text or from an image. It supports both landscape and vertical formats, so users can make clips for regular screens or phone-first platforms. It also supports 720p and 1080p output, and developers can choose video lengths of 4, 6, or 8 seconds. Like other Veo 3.1 models, its output includes audio, so a short clip can feel more alive right away. (blog.google)
Price is one big reason this launch matters. In Google’s current Gemini API pricing, Veo 3.1 Lite costs $0.05 per second for 720p video and $0.08 per second for 1080p. That is cheaper than Veo 3.1 Fast, which is priced at $0.10 per second for 720p and $0.12 per second for 1080p. Lower prices mean more developers can test ideas, build creative tools, and let users make many short clips without spending too much. (ai.google.dev)
The larger trend is clear: AI video is moving closer to everyday users, not only experts. In January 2026, Google said updated Veo 3.1 tools were coming to the Gemini app, YouTube Shorts, Flow, Google Vids, the Gemini API, and Vertex AI. Then, on April 2, 2026, Google said that anyone with a Google account could generate Veo 3.1 clips in Google Vids at no cost, with 10 free generations each month. Google also says its AI-generated videos include SynthID watermarking to help with transparency. (blog.google)
For English learners, this news is exciting. A simple prompt like “a small cat dancing in the rain” can now become a real short video. In the near future, making videos may feel as easy as writing a few lines in English.










