# Seedance Video Generator (ByteDance Seedance) (`pnda/seedance-video-generator`) Actor

ByteDance Seedance 1 Pro, Pro Fast and Seedance 2.0: cheap 480p–1080p AI videos from a prompt or an image. No API key, paid Apify plans only, pay per second of delivered video.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/pnda/seedance-video-generator.md
- **Developed by:** [PNDA](https://apify.com/pnda) (community)
- **Categories:** AI, Videos, Social media
- **Stats:** 3 total users, 2 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $80.00 / 1,000 video second (lite)s

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## Seedance Video Generator (ByteDance Seedance)

**Seedance video generator**: ByteDance **Seedance 1 Pro Fast**, **Seedance 1 Lite**, **Seedance 1 Pro** and **Seedance 2.0** (with audio). Cheap 480p to 1080p AI videos from a prompt or an image.

- 💸 From $0.08 per second (Seedance 1 Pro Fast 480p).
- 🎬 Text to video and image to video, 2 to 12 s (4 to 15 s on 2.0).
- 🔊 Native audio on Seedance 2.0.
- 🔑 **No API key**: no Replicate, OpenAI, Google or ByteDance account needed.
- 💳 **Paid Apify plans only.** Runs from a free plan stop immediately with an upgrade message, at no cost.
- 💸 **Pay only for delivered seconds of video.** Failures are never charged.

Works from the Apify Console, the API, the JavaScript / Python clients, **n8n, Make, Zapier** and **AI agents / MCP**.

### 💡 Who is it for?

- High-volume social content
- Prototyping and storyboards
- Developers needing a Seedance API

### ⚙️ How it works

1. You send a **prompt**, optionally a start image for image-to-video, and pick a model.
2. The Actor checks your maximum cost per run covers the full video, then generates it (from ~30 s to a few minutes).
3. Each video is **copied to your Apify key-value store**, so the link does not expire after an hour.
4. One dataset row per video: URL, model, options, duration.

### 💰 Pricing

**Available on paid Apify plans only.** Pay per event, **per second of delivered video**, no start fee:

| Model | Option | Event | Price per second | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedance 1 Pro Fast | 480p | `video-lite-second` | $0.08 | $0.40 for 5 s |
| Seedance 1 Pro Fast | 720p | `video-standard-second` | $0.13 | $0.65 for 5 s |
| Seedance 1 Pro Fast | 1080p | `video-pro-second` | $0.30 | $1.50 for 5 s |
| Seedance 1 Lite | 480p | `video-standard-second` | $0.13 | $0.65 for 5 s |
| Seedance 1 Lite | 720p | `video-pro-second` | $0.30 | $1.50 for 5 s |
| Seedance 1 Lite | 1080p | `video-pro-second` | $0.30 | $1.50 for 5 s |
| Seedance 1 Pro | 480p | `video-standard-second` | $0.13 | $0.65 for 5 s |
| Seedance 1 Pro | 720p | `video-pro-second` | $0.30 | $1.50 for 5 s |
| Seedance 1 Pro | 1080p | `video-premium-second` | $0.75 | $3.75 for 5 s |
| Seedance 2.0 (with audio) | 480p | `video-premium-second` | $0.75 | $3.75 for 5 s |
| Seedance 2.0 (with audio) | 720p | `video-ultra-second` | $0.90 | $4.50 for 5 s |

- A failed video is **not charged**. If nothing could be produced, nothing is charged.
- The billed duration is the delivered one (never more than requested). Before each video the Actor checks your remaining budget covers the whole requested duration, otherwise it stops **without** generating.

### 📥 Input

| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `prompt` | string | Describe the video: subject, action, camera movement, style, and sounds if audio is enabled. |
| `model` | string | Which AI model to use. Each option is billed at its own price, see the Pricing section of the README. |
| `imageUrl` | string | Public URL of an image used as the first frame (image-to-video). Leave empty for text-to-video. |
| `aspectRatio` | string | Output aspect ratio. "auto" keeps the model default (for edits: the source image ratio). Not every model supports every ratio; an unsupported ratio stops the run before anything is charged. |
| `resolution` | string | Video resolution. Leave empty for the model default (the cheapest one). Higher resolutions cost more per second. |
| `duration` | integer | Length of the video. Supported values depend on the model (Seedance 1 Pro Fast: 2 to 12; Seedance 1 Lite: 4 to 12; Seedance 1 Pro: 2 to 12; Seedance 2.0: 4 to 15). You pay per delivered second. |
| `numberOfVariants` | integer | How many separate videos to generate (1 to 4). Each successful one is billed; failures are free. |
| `includeFailedVariants` | boolean | Also write failed outputs (with the reason) to the dataset. Failed outputs are never billed. |

#### Example: Cheapest: Seedance 1 Pro Fast, 480p, 5 s

```json
{
  "prompt": "A giraffe ice skating on an olympic rink, live TV footage",
  "model": "bytedance/seedance-1-pro-fast",
  "resolution": "480p",
  "duration": 5
}
```

#### Example: Image-to-video, 1080p

```json
{
  "prompt": "The model turns to the camera and smiles",
  "imageUrl": "https://example.com/portrait.jpg",
  "model": "bytedance/seedance-1-pro",
  "resolution": "1080p",
  "duration": 5
}
```

### 📤 Output

One dataset row per video:

```json
{
  "model": "bytedance/seedance-1-pro-fast",
  "mode": "text-to-video",
  "prompt": "A giraffe ice skating on an olympic rink, live TV footage",
  "resolution": "480p",
  "index": 1,
  "videoUrl": "https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/<STORE_ID>/records/video-1",
  "durationSeconds": 5,
  "contentType": "video/mp4",
  "chargedEvent": "video-lite-second",
  "chargedUnits": 5,
  "success": true
}
```

Export the dataset as **JSON, CSV, Excel or HTML**, or read it from the API.

### 🧠 Models

- **Seedance 1 Pro Fast** (`bytedance/seedance-1-pro-fast`): optional start frame image, resolutions 480p / 720p / 1080p, 2 to 12 s, 7 aspect ratios.
- **Seedance 1 Lite** (`bytedance/seedance-1-lite`): optional start frame image, resolutions 480p / 720p / 1080p, 4 to 12 s, 7 aspect ratios.
- **Seedance 1 Pro** (`bytedance/seedance-1-pro`): optional start frame image, resolutions 480p / 720p / 1080p, 2 to 12 s, 7 aspect ratios.
- **Seedance 2.0 (with audio)** (`bytedance/seedance-2.0`): optional start frame image, resolutions 480p / 720p, 4 to 15 s, 7 aspect ratios.

### 🛟 Errors and reliability

- Invalid options (unsupported ratio, duration or resolution for the chosen model) stop the run **before** anything is generated or charged, with a message listing the supported values.
- If the AI provider is temporarily unavailable, the run stops right away (no time burned on the remaining outputs), **nothing is charged**, and the dataset contains one row with `success: false`, `status: "service-unavailable"` and a clear message. Retry a bit later.
- Runs from a free Apify plan, or whose maximum cost per run is too low for one output, also stop at once with an explanatory row (`status: "paid-plan-required"` / `"budget-too-low"`), at no cost.
- If one output is refused (safety filter, unreadable source image), the others still run.

### ❓ FAQ

**What is the cheapest option?**

Seedance 1 Pro Fast in 480p: a 5 s clip costs $0.40.

**Do I need an API key (Replicate, OpenAI, Google...)?**

No. Your Apify account is enough: no key, no subscription, no quota to manage.

**Can I use it on the free Apify plan?**

No. This Actor is available on **paid Apify plans only**. Runs started from a free plan stop immediately with an upgrade message, at no cost.

**Am I charged when a generation fails?**

No. You pay only for videos that are delivered, per second of video. Invalid inputs are rejected before any generation starts.

**How do I cap my spending?**

Set **Maximum cost per run** in the run options. Before each video the Actor checks the remaining budget covers the **full requested duration**; if not, it stops without generating.

**How long are files kept?**

Outputs are copied to the run key-value store and follow your Apify data retention. Download them or copy them to your own storage for long-term use.

**Can I call it from code, n8n, Make, Zapier or an AI agent?**

Yes. Use the "Run Actor synchronously and get dataset items" API endpoint, the Apify clients, the integrations, or the Apify MCP server.

**Who owns the generated content?**

Use of generated content is subject to the terms of each model provider. Do not submit images you do not have the right to use.

### ▶️ Start now

Pick a model, type a prompt, click **Start**.

# Actor input Schema

## `prompt` (type: `string`):

Describe the video: subject, action, camera movement, style, and sounds if audio is enabled.

## `model` (type: `string`):

Which AI model to use. Each option is billed at its own price, see the Pricing section of the README.

## `imageUrl` (type: `string`):

Public URL of an image used as the first frame (image-to-video). Leave empty for text-to-video.

## `aspectRatio` (type: `string`):

Output aspect ratio. "auto" keeps the model default (for edits: the source image ratio). Not every model supports every ratio; an unsupported ratio stops the run before anything is charged.

## `resolution` (type: `string`):

Video resolution. Leave empty for the model default (the cheapest one). Higher resolutions cost more per second.

## `duration` (type: `integer`):

Length of the video. Supported values depend on the model (Seedance 1 Pro Fast: 2 to 12; Seedance 1 Lite: 4 to 12; Seedance 1 Pro: 2 to 12; Seedance 2.0: 4 to 15). You pay per delivered second.

## `numberOfVariants` (type: `integer`):

How many separate videos to generate (1 to 4). Each successful one is billed; failures are free.

## `includeFailedVariants` (type: `boolean`):

Also write failed outputs (with the reason) to the dataset. Failed outputs are never billed.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "prompt": "A giraffe ice skating on an olympic rink, live TV footage",
  "model": "bytedance/seedance-1-pro-fast",
  "aspectRatio": "auto",
  "duration": 5,
  "numberOfVariants": 1,
  "includeFailedVariants": false
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `dataset` (type: `string`):

All generated records (JSON, CSV, Excel).

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "prompt": "A giraffe ice skating on an olympic rink, live TV footage",
    "model": "bytedance/seedance-1-pro-fast",
    "duration": 5,
    "numberOfVariants": 1
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("pnda/seedance-video-generator").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "prompt": "A giraffe ice skating on an olympic rink, live TV footage",
    "model": "bytedance/seedance-1-pro-fast",
    "duration": 5,
    "numberOfVariants": 1,
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("pnda/seedance-video-generator").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "prompt": "A giraffe ice skating on an olympic rink, live TV footage",
  "model": "bytedance/seedance-1-pro-fast",
  "duration": 5,
  "numberOfVariants": 1
}' |
apify call pnda/seedance-video-generator --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,pnda/seedance-video-generator"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/vZdqVPEuyX4CG5cGg/builds/mhByIVrhiD54Ofmxo/openapi.json