Comparing Top AI Video Generators: A Detailed Look at Midjourney, Kling, Hailuo, and Runway

You've probably heard the claim many times: "This is the best AI video platform!" But what does "best" truly mean? And what standards should we use to judge these tools? To find out, real-world testing across different platforms is key. This report compares Midjourney Video, Kling 2.1 Master, Hailuo 2 (also known as Minimax), and Runway Gen 4. We tested the top model from each platform.

Each platform received the exact same image and prompt. We used shared default settings for camera motion. We evaluated prompt accuracy, visual appeal, and overall impact. A point was given for each win. If two or more platforms performed equally, each received a point.

Speed and Limitations of Each Platform

When testing these AI tools, speed and a few limitations became clear:

• Midjourney Video offers impressive speed, generating results quickly.

• Runway Gen 4 (non-turbo version) is only slightly slower than Midjourney.

• Kling 2.1 Master takes around two to three minutes for generation.

• Hailuo 2 is the slowest at four to five minutes per video.

• Kling has strong content filtering, which can be a limit. Midjourney also allows for high and low motion settings in manual mode, adding great depth to the videos.

The Nine Test Scenes: A Head-to-Head Battle

To truly challenge each AI video tool, we chose nine very different scenes. These included photo-realistic moments, illustrations, wide shots, and close-ups, from calm scenes to action-packed ones. We picked a camera movement for each image that worked across all platforms and added visual interest. This allowed for a direct comparison of how each AI handles complexity, motion, and depth.

In our four-panel layout, Hailuo 2 (Minimax) was always top left, Kling 2.1 Master top right, Midjourney Video bottom left, and Runway Gen 4 bottom right.

Test 1: The Gladiator

This scene showed a gladiator kneeling in a gym-like setting, ready for a fight with his shield up. Hailuo had him striking a bodybuilder pose. Kling looked strong, though the animation became a bit shaky at the end. Midjourney felt dynamic but missed the zoom-out. Runway simply turned him into a statue.

Winner: Kling 2.1 Master.

Test 2: Mysterious Creature

Inspired by a fantasy show, this scene featured a fearsome creature stepping out of fog as the camera pulled back to show more soldiers. Hailuo started well but lost the atmosphere halfway through. Kling looked more like a cartoon with a lot of morphing, especially in the creature's face. Midjourney hit the mark, with good pacing and composition. Runway seemed unsure what to do, and consistency quickly fell apart.

Winner: Midjourney Video.

Test 3: 1950s French Woman

A black and white portrait of a woman brushing hair from her face in 1950s France. Hailuo 2 handled this beautifully. But Kling went even further, delivering a top-quality result, especially in the background detail. Midjourney kept up, but the hair movement felt a bit off. Runway's zoom was fine, but the hand motion looked artificial.

Winners: Kling 2.1 Master and Hailuo 2.

Test 4: Bigfoot's Thirsty Moment

Bigfoot, the friendly forest dweller, was enjoying a cold beer. Hailuo started well, but a plastic-looking tongue ruined the moment. Kling again appeared strong, dynamic, and more refined. Midjourney produced a solid version, even adding rain for effect. Runway handled it well too, with a more subtle camera move. Each platform earned a point here.

Winners: Hailuo 2, Kling 2.1 Master, Midjourney Video, and Runway Gen 4.

Test 5: Naval Battle Painting

We aimed to bring a naval battle painting to life, with fire, smoke, storm, and rough seas. Hailuo moved away from the illustration style, creating a chaotic, messy sea fight. Kling suffered from heavy morphing, making it unusable. Midjourney stayed true to the original look and executed it well, though the splashing water looked a bit off. Runway's attempt was completely unclear.

Winner: Midjourney Video.

Test 6: Man and Spaceship

A scene from an old adventure film: a man lost in mist, then a massive spaceship appears. Hailuo's result was visually stunning. Kling delivered something, but the ship looked like random parts mashed together. Midjourney kept the original film aesthetic. The ship looked more like a flying city with added laser blasts. Runway did a bit of everything, but turning the main figure into a shadow was not ideal.

Winners: Hailuo 2 and Midjourney Video.

Test 7: Earthquake at a Fortress

This illustration showed a massive fortress just before an earthquake. Hailuo made things explode but without realistic outcomes; a collapsed building still stood. Kling's result was decent, though parts began morphing and melting. Midjourney stayed true to the style. The camera moved in the wrong direction, but overall the execution was strong. Runway overlaid 3D objects and fired at people, but buildings did not collapse.

Winners: Midjourney Video and Kling 2.1 Master.

Test 8: Medieval Fantasy Map

Thinking of game maps, this scene showed the camera diving into a medieval fantasy world. Hailuo struggled with the visual style. Kling started well, but details were soft and blurry, looking like unfinished parts. Only Midjourney got it right, turning the game board into a detailed 3D world. Runway just zoomed in on a static image, which was not useful.

Winner: Midjourney Video.

Test 9: Dragon Encounter

A Dungeons and Dragons setup: four adventurers facing a dragon guarding treasures in a dark fortress. Hailuo started well but quickly failed. Heroes walked through a closed door, and the dragon dropped from the sky without weight. Kling's version was decent, but morphing ruined it. Midjourney was on point, stylish, consistent, and the dragon looked great. Runway's version needed a lot of work.

Winner: Midjourney Video.

Overall Rankings and Key Takeaways

The final tally showed Midjourney leading with seven points, followed by Kling 2.1 Master with four, Hailuo 2 with three, and Runway Gen 4 with just one. While different prompts might yield different results, this evaluation shows what was observed in our detailed hands-on tests.

One strong point about Midjourney is that it automatically gives you four video variations very quickly. The main feature still missing is audio to match the visuals, something V3 does well.

If you are already using Midjourney for your image generation, extending it to video can be simple. Tools like the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT can help streamline your workflow, making it easier to generate powerful visual content. Automating parts of your creative process means you can produce more, faster, and with greater consistency. Explore what the TitanXT Midjourney Automation Suite can do for you.

How to Use Each AI Video Platform

Using Hailuo 2 (Minimax)

On the left-hand menu, click on "Video." This opens the creation page. Upload your image in the top left corner. Below that, enter your prompt. You can also pick from existing settings. Choose the resolution, video length, and the model (it’s best to use the newest one). Then, click "Generate."

Using Kling 2.1 Master

At clingai.com, click "Video" on the left menu. The layout looks like Hailuo. Upload your image at the top left and enter your prompt below. Then, select the video length. You can also choose from the available video models by clicking the model selector at the top. Remember, the model choice might affect your credit use. Kling also offers presets under "inspiration and presets." You can even add negative prompts – terms the AI should avoid. Click "Generate" to start.

Using Midjourney

Midjourney has a simpler interface. Just click on any image you have made and choose one of the "video modes" from the lower right corner. If you use "manual mode," you can adjust the prompt at the top. "Auto mode" handles the whole process for you. When ready, click the arrow at the top right to begin.

To take your Midjourney experience even further, consider the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT. This tool is designed to enhance your video creation process, saving you time and effort. Visit TitanXT to see how it can help you get the most out of Midjourney.

Using Runway Gen 4

In Runway, start by clicking "Generate video" on your dashboard. The interface will open. Upload your image. Type your prompt below. Choose the aspect ratio, the model, and the duration. Then just click "Generate."