> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.magichour.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Magic Hour API Pricing

> Understand API credits and choose a subscription, one-time credit packs, or usage-based billing.

## How API Pricing Works

Every generation uses credits. The number of credits depends on the model, output length,
resolution, and other request options. See [models and credit costs](/api-reference/models) for the
exact cost of each endpoint.

You can fund API usage in three ways:

* **Subscription plans** include prepaid credits and plan benefits for a fixed monthly or annual
  price.
* **Credit packs** are one-time prepaid top-ups with no recurring subscription.
* **Usage-based billing** invoices the credits you actually use each month and applies graduated
  volume discounts. It currently requires setup assistance.

Unused prepaid credits from subscriptions and credit packs never expire.

## Choose a Payment Method

|                      | Subscription plans                | Credit packs                       | Usage-based billing                 |
| :------------------- | :-------------------------------- | :--------------------------------- | :---------------------------------- |
| **Payment timing**   | Before use                        | Before use                         | After use                           |
| **Billing**          | Monthly or annual                 | One-time purchase                  | Monthly invoice                     |
| **Best for**         | Predictable, ongoing usage        | One-time work or occasional spikes | Variable or high-volume usage       |
| **Credits**          | Included with each billing period | Added immediately                  | Charged as consumed                 |
| **Unused credits**   | Never expire                      | Never expire                       | Not applicable                      |
| **Volume discounts** | Annual plan discount              | Larger-pack discounts              | Graduated monthly usage discounts   |
| **Plan benefits**    | Included                          | Not included beyond no watermarks  | Based on the selected usage tier    |
| **Availability**     | Self-serve                        | Self-serve                         | Setup assistance currently required |

### Subscription Plans

Choose a plan when you want a predictable budget, recurring credits, and benefits such as larger
uploads and higher concurrency.

| Plan     | Monthly | Annual equivalent | Credits per month |
| :------- | ------: | ----------------: | ----------------: |
| Creator  |    \$19 |        \$12/month |            12,000 |
| Pro      |    \$39 |        \$25/month |            25,000 |
| Business |    \$99 |        \$66/month |            70,000 |

Annual plans are billed as $144 / $300 / \$792 per year. Paid plans remove watermarks, include
commercial use, and unlock higher-resolution options on each tool. Resolution is per tool, not a
single pixel cap for the whole plan. See [resolution](/billing/resolution-limits).

<Card title="Subscription Details" icon="credit-card" href="/billing/subscription-pricing" horizontal>
  View plans, benefits, and annual pricing
</Card>

### Credit Packs

Buy credits once without starting a subscription. Packs work well for one-time projects,
occasional usage, or temporary spikes. Credits are added immediately and never expire.

| Pack     | Credits | Price | Discount |
| :------- | ------: | ----: | -------: |
| Starter  |   4,000 |  \$10 |        - |
| Standard |  12,000 |  \$27 |      10% |
| Large    |  32,000 |  \$64 |      20% |
| Max      |  64,000 | \$120 |      25% |

Credit packs do not include subscription benefits other than removing watermarks. A pack alone does
not unlock models, resolutions, upload limits, or concurrency reserved for a paid plan. Purchase
packs on the [pricing page](https://magichour.ai/pricing?ref=docs-billing-overview#credit-pack).

### Usage-Based Billing

Pay monthly for the credits you use. Rates use graduated bands, so credits in higher-volume bands
cost less. This option fits variable or high-volume API workloads that are difficult to prepay.

Usage-based billing is currently available by request. Contact
[support@magichour.ai](mailto:support@magichour.ai) or use the website chat for setup assistance.

<Card title="Usage-Based Billing Details" icon="chart-line" href="/billing/usage-based-pricing" horizontal>
  View per-credit rates, volume discounts, and setup steps
</Card>

## Estimate Your Cost

1. Find the credits required for each generation in [models and credit costs](/api-reference/models).
2. Multiply by your expected monthly generations, including higher-resolution or longer outputs.
3. Compare subscription plans, credit packs, and usage-based billing with the
   [API cost calculator](https://magichour.ai/api?ref=docs-billing-overview#api-cost-calculator).

<Info>
  **Not sure?** Start with the Free tier. Starter credits and account-specific rewards may be
  available; check your account balance, then choose a payment method after measuring real usage.
</Info>

## Make your first API request

[Create an API key](https://magichour.ai/developer?tab=api-keys\&ref=docs-billing-overview\&utm_source=docs\&utm_medium=referral\&utm_campaign=billing),
then follow the [quickstart](/get-started/quick-start) to generate an image or video.
The [account endpoint](/api-reference/account/get-account-details) returns your credit balance and
subscription details so you can check them before submitting a job.