Luma AI vs Pika AI – Pricing and Plans Compared

October 5, 2025

Did you know 87% of individuals indicate that the quality level of the video makes them trust a business? Now consider this for a moment: perhaps you’ve spent hours preparing, recording, and editing your video, only to have a watermark covering half your screen. That’s instantly not professional, and your viewers can tell.

That’s where AI video tools come in. They don’t just make editing faster; they give everyday creators, freelancers, and small businesses access to results that used to take expensive gear or professional editors.

But here’s the catch: as these tools get more advanced, so do their business models. Platforms like Luma AI and Pika AI let you play around for free, but the moment you want professional, watermark-free videos, you hit a paywall. And let’s be honest, nothing stings more than creating a video you love, only to find a giant logo stamped in the corner.

Free plans are great for testing, but most of us want one thing above all: a simple and affordable way to remove watermarks from video without draining our budget.

That’s why pricing matters so much. It’s not just about money; it’s about whether the tool actually fits your workflow and long-term plans. For freelancers, students, or startups, every dollar counts. Free features can help you get started, but hidden limits and unclear rules can quickly lead to frustration.

In short, the right pricing plan doesn’t just save you money; it also saves your time, sanity, and credibility. Let’s break down how Luma AI and Pika AI handle their plans, and what you actually get for free.

Luma AI: Pricing And Plans

Luma AI has built its name on creating cinematic, high-end video outputs. But with premium quality comes premium structure. Here’s what you get:

Free Plan

With the free plan, you receive a limited number of exports each month, sufficient for testing purposes. But every export comes with a visible watermark.

Additionally, you’ll be limited to shorter video lengths and lower resolutions. It’s fine for testing the waters, but not something you’d want to publish professionally.

Paid Plans

Upgrading unlocks what most creators truly desire. You get crisp HD output, the ability to work on longer videos, and most importantly, no watermarks cluttering your content. If you want videos that look polished and ready for an audience, this is where the real value kicks in.

Luma AI is a good choice for creators who want cinematic storytelling, filmmakers, marketers creating polished ads, or anyone prioritizing style and depth. However, if you’re primarily looking to remove video watermark limitations without committing to a costly subscription, it may not be the most budget-friendly option.

Pricing and Feature:

According to their pricing page:

Free Plan: This plan offers 500 monthly credits at no cost, access to “Draft” resolution modes, limited usage, and is intended for non-commercial purposes only. Watermarks are present.
Lite Plan ($9.99/month): Approximately 3,200 credits, higher priority processing, access to upscaled/HDR features (depending on the platform), and still includes watermarks, but offers more flexibility.
Plus Plan ( $29.99/month): Approximately 10,000 credits, commercial usage allowed, HD/4K with up-res/HDR in many cases, and no watermark applied.
Unlimited Plan ($94.99/month): Same fast credits, plus unlimited relaxed mode generations when demand is lower, full access feature set (4K up-res, HDR, commercial rights, no watermark).

With Luma, removing a video watermark typically requires a Plus or Unlimited plan. The free and lite plans still have watermark restrictions.

Pika AI Pricing & Plans

Pika AI positions itself differently. It’s all about speed, versatility, and simplicity. Instead of aiming for cinematic looks, it focuses on everyday creators who need fast, effective enhancements.

Free Plan

With the free plan, you can explore the core editing and generation tools and get a feel for how the platform works. But every export comes with a watermark, and you’ll face limits on video length, resolution, and customization. It’s great for experimenting, but not something you’d want to hand over to a client or share as polished brand content.

Paid Plans

Once you upgrade, the restrictions start to lift. You can export longer, higher-quality videos and finally remove those distracting watermarks for a clean, professional look. Many paid tiers also unlock collaboration tools, which makes things much easier if you’re working as part of a team.

Pika AI is ideal for fast-paced content creators, including YouTubers, small businesses that post daily reels, and freelancers managing multiple projects. Its pricing structure makes sense if you prioritize speed and simplicity over cinematic detail.

Pricing and Feature:

Free / Basic Plan: ~80 monthly video credits, access to entry-level models (Turbo, etc.), but videos still have watermarks and restrictions on export quality/usage.
Standard Plan ( $8/month annually or slightly more monthly): ~700 video credits, faster generation, more models included. Still, there are no watermark-free download on this level in many cases.
Pro Plan (~$35/month): ~2,300 monthly credits, full access to more advanced models, watermark-free downloads included, and commercial use.
Fancy Plan (~$76/month): Up to ~6,000 video credits, highest generation speed, all advanced models, watermark-free, commercial rights.

Luma AI vs Pika AI

With Luma AI, if you want clean exports without watermarks, you’ll need to pay for a plan like Plus or higher. The Free and Lite options still include visible watermarks on every export, making them suitable for quick testing rather than professional publishing.

In Pika AI, watermark removal features is only available once you upgrade to their Pro or Fancy plans. The free and entry-level tiers maintain the watermark, so your final video won’t appear fully professional.

In other words, if removing a watermark is your top priority, neither Luma AI nor Pika AI will give it to you on their free or basic tiers. Those plans are essentially just stepping stones to try out the software. To get clean, professional results, you’ll have to pay.

That’s where Vmake steps in as a game-changer.

Why Vmake is a Smarter Alternative

Unlike other tools that hide watermark-free exports behind pricey upgrades,Vmake provides clean, polished videos from the start. No distractions, no logos stamped across your work, just professional-looking content you can confidently share with your audience. It’s built for creators who want results without jumping through hoops or burning through their budget.

Key Features:

Remove Video Watermark for Free – You don’t need a premium subscription just to get clean, publishable videos.
Upscaling & Stabilization – Fix grainy, shaky, or low-res footage with one click.
Background Cleanup – Remove clutter and distractions instantly.
Smart Captions & Subtitles – Automatically generate captions to enhance accessibility and engagement.
Templates for Creators & Businesses – E-commerce, social media, presentations, all covered in one hub

In other words,Vmake isn’t just a cheaper option. It’s a practical, all-in-one editing platform that strikes a balance between power, simplicity, and affordability.

Luma AI vs Pika AI vs Vmake

Feature / Plan	Luma AI	Pika AI	Vmake (Best Alternative)
Free Plan	Limited credits, watermarked exports, lower resolution	Basic exports, short clips, watermark included	100% free access to enhancement tools, watermark-free exports
Paid Plan – Starter	~$19/month – More credits, HD exports, watermark removed	~$20/month – Longer clips, watermark removal, extra storage	Free (with premium upgrades available for advanced features)
Paid Plan – Pro	~$39+/month – Extended credits, longer videos, priority processing	~$49+/month – Collaboration tools, advanced effects, priority rendering	Budget-friendly upgrades, but core features stay free
Watermark Removal	Only with a paid plan	Only with a paid plan	Always free (no watermark on exports)
Ease of Use	Moderate – feature-rich, some learning curve	Beginner-friendly, fast, and simple	Very intuitive, designed for all creators
Best For	Cinematic storytellers & advanced editors	Everyday creators & fast turnarounds	Budget-conscious creators, businesses, and anyone needing watermark-free editing

Wrapping Up

So, which tool should you go for?

If you want a cinematic, premium finish, Luma AI is a strong choice. For fast, versatile edits you can use every day, Pika AI does the job well. But if you want a watermark remover for professional-quality videos without the price tag or the complexity, Vmake is the tool that makes the most sense.

Here’s why: a watermark-free video isn’t just about visuals. It’s about credibility. Every second of your content reflects your brand, and distracting overlays can hinder your message.

With Vmake, there are no compromises. You get smooth, watermark-free, polished videos in minutes, without draining your budget or your energy. It’s designed to keep things simple, so you can create content that feels both authentic and professional.

In a nutshell, Artificial intelligence isn’t here to take away your creativity; it’s here to make your life easier. It handles the heavy lifting in the background, allowing you to focus on your story, brand, and the people you want to reach. So, opt for AI-powered video-generating tools to increase user engagement and conversion.