After testing Google's $250/month AI Ultra plan, I switched to Canva's new VEO 3-equipped video tool and have no regrets.
If you are a casual user or creator who values speed, simplicity and all-in-one workflow, Canva wins for one mile.
I'm not a content creator, but I regularly test video generators. I wanted to test last month when Google Ai Ultra was still early access.
For $249.99 a month, the subscription promises a lot, including access to Google's most advanced AI video tool, Veo 3.
But after trying it, I realized that reality could not stand the hype completely.
A problem that is more than expected
One of the first issues I noticed with VEO 3 on Google Ultra is that the default is VEO 2. I've entered the prompts many times and wanted to watch my video. Users will need to manually shift to VEO 3. This means you can use the token if you're not careful.
Speaking of credit uncertainty, despite earning 12,500 credits per month, you can still burn a 30-second single scene to over 1,000.
Also, as a casual user, I really don't need all the features. So, Project Mariner's 10-task automation and 30TB of cloud storage are impressive, but not particularly needed for shorter format content for social purposes.
Canva has all the features you need for just a small portion of the cost
Canva is quietly unfolded and creates video clips with the same VEO 3 model. It's easy to use. Go to Cambar AI in the sidebar and start creating.
Canva AI → Creating a video clip →[タイププロンプト]→ Generate.
example: “Synthwave Music, a girl exploring the neon-lit cyberpunk market.”
A few seconds later I got an 8-second clip with synced audio.
Pro tips: 5 free video clips from Canva Pro are reset every month. When a batch is generated on the 28th, it always stays in front of the curve.
The quality of the movie is simply
VEO 3 handles complex camera movements, lighting and ambient sound effects. That's right, you can use Veo 3 to get the sound in your video. It rivals what I got from CanvaOutputsClean, 1080p Video, Google Ultra, but with no waits or credits.
Each clip is loaded instantly by the Canva editor. You can then drop it on a text, transition, logo, or reel. No export. There are no third party apps. I've just done it.
Basic differences to consider
Canva's five monthly clips are enough to use light. Google credits disappear quickly in complex scenes, so if you're considering creating a Switch, you'll need to decide how many videos you'll make each month.
Canva handles the complete process in one tab. Google Ultra shines for film producers and serious video editors. However, when creators create short content, it is over-built and expensive.
VEO 3 is also a time sink. Canva videos will be generated within 2 minutes.
My recommendation is to create short form content (Tiktok, Reels, YouTube Shorts) and cancel Google Ultra if you want more simplicity than movie controls. If you already use Canva for your design and have a Canva Pro subscription ($12.99 per month), you can avoid the additional subscription costs.
However, if you're editing short films, or planning on using subscriptions for higher-level productions and need large cloud storage, you'll need to keep Google Ultra. You may even be able to justify $250 a month as a business expense
For most creators, Canva's VEO 3 integration is an AI video upgrade we've been waiting for. It's powerful, easy to use and is built into the platform you already use.
Conclusion
Everyone is trying to save money these days, and for most creators, Canva's VEO 3 integration is a wise way to save hundreds of people each month.
If you're creating short form content like Tiktoks, Reels, or YouTube shorts, Google Ultra is likely to be overkill in both complexity and cost. But if you're a filmmaker or working on a high-end video project that requires accuracy, scale and storage, Google Ultra may still be worth it.
For me, I'm stuck with Canva and skipping additional subscriptions.
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