AI video generators
Melies: review, pricing, data and alternatives
Melies supports people making films, from developing an idea to assembling shots. It creates scripts, characters, images, video sequences and audio elements, with film export available. A free tier exists; the first paid plan costs $84 per year. Access and transparency score: 48/100, #20 of 24 in its category.
What is Melies?
Melies supports people making films, from developing an idea to assembling shots. It creates scripts, characters, images, video sequences and audio elements, with film export available.
According to its documentation, Melies lets you:
- develop a film idea and its script
- create characters and storyboards
- generate images and video sequences
- produce voices, music and sound effects
- assemble shots and export the film
We file it under AI video generators, the category of tools to create videos from text or images, and it also overlaps with aI video editing and creative writing and scripts. The category lists 24 verified tools on this site.
The publisher is YUKI CAPITAL, based in France.
Who is it for?
It is mostly useful to these profiles: video creators. The need it covers is simple to state: create videos from text or images.
Melies is a good candidate if:
- you want to try before paying
Before deciding, run a trial on a real task and measure the time saved: it is the only criterion that really counts.
How much does Melies cost?
Pricing model: freemium (limited free use, then paid). A free plan is offered, usually limited in volume or features.
The first paid plan costs $84 per year (Starter, billed annually, equivalent to USD 7 per month; 6,000 annual credits), according to the pricing page, checked on October 24, 2026.
Per month, that is cheaper than the category median ($10 per month, based on tools with a published price).
To estimate what the same work would cost done directly with an AI model, use our API price calculator. Prices change often: always check the official site before subscribing.
Data and privacy
The publisher does not clearly state where data is hosted. Assume your content may leave your region.
For professional use, check that a data processing agreement (DPA) is offered, and do not send customers' personal data or confidential documents without one.
Exporting your content: MP4, WebM, PNG, JPEG. Being able to get your data back makes switching tools easier later.
Three habits apply to every AI tool:
- turn off the use of your content for training if the option exists
- use a work account separate from your personal account
- review everything the tool produces before publishing or sending it
Platforms, languages and API
Melies runs on: web browser and macOS.
Interface languages: English.
API availability is not documented.
How we scored it
Our 48/100 score does not judge output quality: it measures what can be publicly verified about access to the tool, its openness and how far the publisher can be trusted.
| Criterion | Points | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 25/30 | free tier, published price, French interface |
| Openness | 10/30 | API, data export, open code |
| Trust | 13/40 | identified publisher, declared hosting, age, presence in reference lists |
The full calculation is explained on our method page.
Comparison with alternatives
Melies against other tools in the aI video generators category:
| Tool | Free | Entry price | API | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melies | Yes | $84 per year | – | 48 |
| Pictory | Yes | $25 per month | Yes | 81 |
| Luma Dream Machine | Yes | $9.99 per month | Yes | 80 |
| Runway | Yes | $12 per month | Yes | 75 |
| Higgsfield | Yes | $9 per month | Yes | 73 |
| PrismPoster | Yes | $3.36 pay as you go | Yes | 73 |
| Pika | Yes | $10 per month | Yes | 71 |
| Fliki | Yes | $28 per month | Yes | 68 |
Verdict
Melies publishes little verifiable information: look at the better-scored alternatives first.
Strengths
- Free tier to try it
- Cheaper than its category median
Limitations
- Data hosting not disclosed
Avoid if…
- You handle sensitive personal data without a processing agreement
Alternatives
- Pictoryfree tier
- Luma Dream Machinefree tier
- Runwayfree tier
- Higgsfieldfree tier
- PrismPosterfree tier
- Pikafree tier
Categories and jobs
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Is Melies free?
Yes, a free plan exists, with usage limits. The first paid plan costs $84 per year.
Where is Melies data stored?
The publisher does not clearly say so in its public documentation.
Does Melies have an API?
It is not documented.
What are the alternatives to Melies?
In the same category: Pictory, Luma Dream Machine, Runway, and Higgsfield.
Melies or Pictory: which one to choose?
Melies starts at $84 per year, Pictory at $25 per month and our score is 48/100 for Melies and 81/100 for Pictory. Try both on the same task before paying.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score