SkyReels Review 2026: AI Video Generator With Audio and Avatars
SkyReelsKunlun Tech's AI video generator: SkyReels V4 makes cinematic video with synced audio from text, images or references, plus avatar and lip-sync models and an API.
What Is SkyReels AI and How Does SkyReels V4 Work?
SkyReels is an AI video generator from Kunlun Tech's Skywork team that turns text, images or reference files into cinematic video with synchronized audio. Its newest model, SkyReels V4, generates sound together with the picture, handles smoother shot transitions and uses image, video and audio references to keep characters consistent across scenes. SkyReels runs as a Creative Studio for creators and an API Platform for developers, and its team has also released open-source SkyReels models.
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Overall Rating 4.2/5 Best For Creators and developers who want AI video with built-in audio, reference control and avatar models Pricing API credits from $30 (3,300 credits); Creative Studio plans shown after sign-in Free Plan Not shown on the public pricing page Ease of Use 4.1/5 Business Value 4.2/5 Last Reviewed November 2026 Version Reviewed skyreels.ai Creative Studio and API, SkyReels V4, November 2026
SkyReels AI Explained: V4 Model, Omni Reference and Audio
SkyReels V4 is built around three ways to create. Text to Video turns a description into a clip with motion, sound and storytelling; Image to Video animates a picture with camera control and smooth transitions; and Omni Reference to Video uses image, video and audio references to control characters, style and story across scenes. Its focus is directing a video rather than only generating one, with audio produced together with the picture instead of added afterwards.
SkyReels sits among the AI video generators and is one of the tools in our guide to the best Chinese AI video generators. Its terms name Skywork AI Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, part of Beijing-based Kunlun Tech (昆仑万维), which also makes the Mureka music generator and the Skywork AI workspace agent.
Open source: Partly. The SkyReels app and V4 model are commercial, but the team publishes open models: the SkyReels-V2 repository on GitHub had 7,762 stars in November 2026, and Skywork's Hugging Face page lists SkyReels V1, V2, V3 and A1 models.
Who Should Use the SkyReels AI Video Generator?
- Short-film and drama creators: Omni Reference keeps characters and story consistent across scenes.
- Marketers: Text and image to video produce clips with sound already included.
- Avatar video makers: SkyReels V3 avatar models animate one image with audio, including multi-actor scenes; for business presenters see Synthesia.
- Developers: The API Platform offers per-second pricing for V4 and avatar models.
Professional reality: SkyReels is not the right choice for users who need a public free tier to test with: its public pricing page lists paid API credit packs, and Creative Studio plans appear only after sign-in.
SkyReels Features: Text to Video, Image to Video and Avatars
Text to Video With Audio
SkyReels V4 turns a prompt into cinematic video with motion, sound and storytelling generated together.
Business outcome: Finished clips without separate sound design.
Image to Video
Pictures become videos with natural motion, camera movement, smooth transitions and sound.
Business outcome: Product shots and stills come to life.
Omni Reference to Video
Image, video and audio references control characters, style and story continuity across scenes.
Business outcome: Consistent characters across a series.
Avatar and Lip-Sync Models
SkyReels V3 creates lifelike avatars from one image and audio, with single- or multi-actor scenes and lip-sync.
Business outcome: Talking-head videos from a photo.
Extension, Restyling and Camera Motion
V3 tools extend videos, restyle them and add segmented camera motion.
Business outcome: More from each generated clip.
API Platform
An API with keys, usage tracking and per-second credit pricing for each model and resolution.
Business outcome: SkyReels video inside your own product.
SkyReels Pricing: Credits, Plans and Is SkyReels AI Free
SkyReels' public pricing page covers its API, where 1 US dollar buys 100 credits and larger packs add bonus credits. Credits are non-refundable and expire after 12 months, and the $30 Starter pack can be bought only once per account. Video costs depend on model and resolution: SkyReels V4 Fast costs 27.5 credits per second at 1080P, 11 at 720P and 8 at 480P without video input. Creative Studio plans are shown after you sign in. For cheaper options, see our guide to the best AI video generators.
| Plan | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Best Value | $30 | 3,300 credits (3,000 + 300 bonus), one-time first recharge |
| Basic | $1,000 | 115,000 credits (100,000 + 15,000 bonus) |
| Standard | $3,000 | 360,000 credits (300,000 + 60,000 bonus) |
| Business | $5,000 | 625,000 credits (500,000 + 125,000 bonus); custom pricing also available |
Credit rates change, so check the official SkyReels pricing page.
SkyReels Pros and Cons
- Audio with videoV4 generates sound together with the picture.
- Strong reference controlImage, video and audio references keep characters consistent.
- Avatar models includedSingle- and multi-actor avatars plus lip-sync.
- Open-source releasesSkyReels V1, V2, V3 and A1 models on Hugging Face.
- No public free tierThe public pricing page lists paid credit packs only.
- Credits expirePurchased credits expire after 12 months and are non-refundable.
- 1080P costs moreV4 Std at 1080P costs 35 credits per second.
- Professional RealityReview generated people, voices and likenesses for consent before publishing.
SkyReels Use Cases: Short Dramas, Ads and Avatar Videos
AI short dramas
Use Omni Reference to keep the same characters across episodes.
Product ads
Animate a product image into a clip with sound.
Talking avatars
Turn a photo and voice track into a presenter video.
Developer apps
Add video generation to an app through the API; compare more tools in our guide to the best Chinese AI tools.
How to Use SkyReels: From Prompt to Video
Go to skyreels.ai and sign in with Google or email.
Open Creative Studio and choose Text to Video, Image to Video or Omni Reference.
Add your prompt, images, video or audio references and pick a resolution.
Generate, review the sound and motion, then extend or restyle the clip if needed.
Is SkyReels Worth It in 2026?
SkyReels is worth trying for creators who want video and sound generated together, and for teams that need consistent characters across scenes. Developers get clear per-second API pricing and can also study the open-source SkyReels V2 model. Casual users who want a free tier may prefer tools such as Kling AI, Vidu or Seedance.
SkyReels vs Seedance and Other AI Video Generators
| Decision Area | SkyReels | When Another Option Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Video with synced audio, references and avatars | Seedance for ByteDance's video model with free access via Dreamina |
| Pricing | API credits from $30 | Tools with free daily credits |
| Key feature | Omni Reference plus avatar and lip-sync models | Single-purpose text-to-video apps |
| Ease of use | Creative Studio plus API | Simple mobile video apps |
| Scaling | Packs up to 625,000 credits and custom plans | Enterprise video platforms |
SkyReels vs Seedance
Seedance is ByteDance's AI video model with audio, available free through Dreamina. SkyReels V4 also generates audio with video and adds Omni Reference control plus avatar and lip-sync models.
Choose SkyReels if: You need avatars, lip-sync and reference control in one service. Choose Seedance if: You want free access through ByteDance apps.
SkyReels vs Kling
Kling is Kuaishou's AI video generator. SkyReels focuses on audio-first generation and multimodal references, and publishes open-source models.
Choose SkyReels if: You want audio-first video and open models to build on. Choose Kling if: You want Kuaishou's own app and video model.
SkyReels FAQ: Free Access, V2 Open Source and Who Makes It
What is SkyReels?
SkyReels is an AI video generator from Kunlun Tech's Skywork team that creates cinematic video with synchronized audio from text, images or references.
Is SkyReels AI free?
The public SkyReels pricing page lists paid API credit packs from $30; Creative Studio plans are shown after sign-in.
Is SkyReels V2 open source?
Yes. SkyReels-V2 is published on GitHub, where it had 7,762 stars in November 2026, and Skywork's Hugging Face page hosts SkyReels models.
Who makes SkyReels?
SkyReels' terms name Skywork AI Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, part of Beijing-based Kunlun Tech.
How much does SkyReels cost per second?
SkyReels V4 Fast costs 27.5 credits per second at 1080P and 11 at 720P, where 100 credits cost $1.
Does SkyReels make avatar videos?
Yes. SkyReels V3 avatar models animate one image with audio, including multi-actor scenes and lip-sync.
Key Takeaways
- SkyReels is best for creators and developers who want AI video with built-in audio, references and avatars.
- Its public pricing is API credits from $30, with 100 credits per dollar.
- Its biggest strength is audio-first V4 video with Omni Reference; the main limitation is no public free tier.
Best SkyReels Alternatives
- Hailuo AI — Better for MiniMax's H3 video model, with up to 12 reference files and plans from $9.99/month.
- PixVerse — Better for an agent and canvas workflow with V6 models, from $8/month billed yearly.
- Jimeng AI — Better for Chinese-speaking creators who want a smart canvas, with memberships from ¥69/month.
Bottom Line: SkyReels is one of the most capable audio-first AI video generators in 2026, so try it when you need consistent characters and sound in the same clip, and use the API for production work.
Sources checked November 2026: SkyReels official site, SkyReels API pricing, SkyReels terms of service, SkyReels-V2 on GitHub.
Last Reviewed: November 2026 | Reviewed by theaitoolsbox.com editorial team
SkyReels
Visit Website →- Developer
- Kunlun Tech (operated by Skywork AI Pte. Ltd., Singapore)
- Category
- AI Video Generator
- Pricing
- Paid
- Rating
- ★ 4.2/5