Model decision guide · catalog checked 2026-09-20

Best AI Video Models for First & Last Frame Control

First/last-frame control is useful when both ends of a shot matter: product reveals, before/after transitions, camera repositioning and continuity between generated clips.

Method: GenVideoKit scores workflow fit from documented capabilities and the reference-pricing data stored in the current model catalog. The percentages below are workflow-fit heuristics, not visual-quality scores. Test the same source assets before standardizing a production pipeline.

Requirements checklist for first / last frame

The highest-weight capabilities are treated as production requirements first. A model can still be useful without every item, but missing a high-weight control usually changes the workflow.

First / last frame
Core requirement · weight 8
Keyframes
Core requirement · weight 6
Image → video
Strong advantage · weight 3
References
Strong advantage · weight 3
Extension
Useful extra · weight 2
Editing
Useful extra · weight 1

Make the shortlist interactive

Add hard requirements such as native audio, references, first/last frame, editing, keyframes or open weights and recalculate the live catalog.

Open Model Finder

Production decision matrix

A quick capability check for the current shortlist. Use the detailed cards below for pricing context and missing controls.

Compare API pricing →
ModelWorkflow fitFirst / last frameKeyframesImage → videoReferences8 sec × 4 attempts
FLUX 3 Video
Black Forest Labs
86%YesYesYes—$5.44
reference retry scenario
Kling 3.0 Omni
Kuaishou / Kling
66%Yes—YesYes$2.18
reference retry scenario
Vidu Q3 Turbo
Vidu
62%Yes—YesYes$1.76
reference retry scenario
PixVerse C1
PixVerse
62%Yes—YesYes$2.08
reference retry scenario
Wan 3.0
Alibaba
62%Yes—YesYes$3.20
reference retry scenario
Cost scenario uses the catalog default rate, an 8-second target clip and four generation attempts. Resolution, provider tier and billing rules can change the actual charge.

Current workflow matches

#1FLUX 3 Video
Black Forest Labs
86%

FLUX 3 video generation with synchronized audio, text-to-video, image/keyframe control and video continuation; the related FLUX Video Edit tool handles source-preserving edits.

First / last frameKeyframesImage → videoExtensionEditing
Strong match: First / last frame · Keyframes · Image → video · Extension.
Retry scenario: ~$1.36/attempt · ~$5.44 for 4 attempts.
#2Kling 3.0 Omni
Kuaishou / Kling
66%

Kling multimodal model for advanced references, composition and edits.

First / last frameImage → videoReferencesEditing
Strong match: First / last frame · Image → video · References · Editing.
Check before committing: Keyframes.
Retry scenario: ~$0.54/attempt · ~$2.18 for 4 attempts.
#3Vidu Q3 Turbo
Vidu
62%

Fast/current Vidu Q3 route with audio, scene cuts and reference-to-video.

First / last frameImage → videoReferences
Strong match: First / last frame · Image → video · References.
Check before committing: Keyframes.
Retry scenario: ~$0.44/attempt · ~$1.76 for 4 attempts.
#4PixVerse C1
PixVerse
62%

Film-production PixVerse model for action choreography, storyboard/reference consistency and transitions.

First / last frameImage → videoReferences
Strong match: First / last frame · Image → video · References.
Check before committing: Keyframes.
Retry scenario: ~$0.52/attempt · ~$2.08 for 4 attempts.
#5Wan 3.0
Alibaba
62%

Current Wan 3.0 general video API.

First / last frameImage → videoReferences
Strong match: First / last frame · Image → video · References.
Check before committing: Keyframes.
Retry scenario: ~$0.80/attempt · ~$3.20 for 4 attempts.
#6Veo 3.1 Fast
Google
58%

Faster Veo 3.1 tier with native audio.

First / last frameImage → videoExtension
Strong match: First / last frame · Image → video · Extension.
Check before committing: Keyframes.
Retry scenario: ~$0.80/attempt · ~$3.20 for 4 attempts.

Fair A/B test protocol

Use a controlled start frame plus a clearly defined target end state. Keep duration, aspect ratio and creative intent identical across models, then judge only the constraints that matter for first / last frame.

  1. Use the same source asset and creative brief for every model.
  2. Lock duration, aspect ratio and the required endpoint or reference conditions.
  3. Run the same number of attempts instead of comparing one lucky render with several retries.
  4. Record failures against the production constraints below, not against a vague overall impression.
  5. Compare usable-output cost after retries, then decide whether the extra control is worth the spend.

What to inspect in the renders

  • The generated motion respects the required start and end states rather than merely resembling them.
  • The transition path is plausible and does not jump between incompatible poses or camera positions.
  • Motion has enough time to settle before the controlled endpoint is reached.
Search intent

What this page is meant to answer

Use this page when the production job is known but the model is not. It translates first / last frame into capability requirements, cost context and a shortlist to test.

Workflow requirements firstCapability-based shortlistA repeatable evaluation protocol

Scope boundary: This is a decision guide, not a universal quality ranking. A head-to-head page is more useful after you narrow the shortlist to two models.