Free AI Video Generation API — No Credit Card, REST Spec 2026

Building an app that generates AI video used to require expensive GPU infrastructure and complex pipelines. In 2026, that changed — especially after the OpenAI Sora discontinuation (announced March 24, 2026; web/app shut down April 26, 2026; API sunsets September 24, 2026) left developers looking for a new video API. ZSky AI's video generation REST API is included with the Max plan ($99/month, or $79.20/month on annual billing) and gives you up to 4K MP4 output with synchronized audio from a single authenticated HTTP request.

This guide walks through the real REST endpoints, the X-API-Key auth model, the monthly allowance (300 video + 1000 image generations base, opt-in overage available), and working code examples in Python and cURL. There is no free or anonymous API tier — the free tier is browser-only at zsky.ai/create.

Who This API Is For

Self-hosting video generation models requires high-end GPUs, hundreds of gigabytes of VRAM, and significant engineering effort. Even the cheapest cloud GPU instances cost $2-4 per hour. For SaaS teams, content studios, and product engineering, ZSky's Max-plan API replaces that with a predictable monthly subscription: $99/month gives you 300 video and 1000 image generations baseline, with opt-in overage if you go over.

You make an authenticated HTTP request, poll the job until ready, and download a fully rendered MP4 with synchronized audio. The infrastructure, model updates, and optimization are handled on the dedicated RTX 5090 fleet.

Getting an API Key

API keys are issued automatically when you subscribe to the Max plan. Subscribe at /pricing.html; your key shows up in account settings and starts with zsky_live_. Treat it like a password — store it in environment variables, never commit it to git, never embed it in client-side code.

Your First API Call

POST to /v1/videos/generate with your X-API-Key header. The API is asynchronous — you get back a job_id and a poll_url, then GET /v1/jobs/{id} until the job is done.

curl -X POST https://zsky.ai/v1/videos/generate \
  -H "X-API-Key: zsky_live_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "prompt": "A golden retriever running through autumn leaves in slow motion",
    "duration": 5,
    "resolution": "1080p",
    "audio": true
  }'

# Response:
# {"job_id": "8a1...", "poll_url": "/v1/jobs/8a1..."}

curl https://zsky.ai/v1/jobs/8a1... -H "X-API-Key: zsky_live_..."
# When status == "done", the response includes a signed result URL.

The API accepts JSON payloads. Generated assets remain available for re-fetch via GET /v1/jobs/{id} for 7 days, then auto-delete. See /api-docs for the full spec.

Python Integration Example

import os, time, requests

API = "https://zsky.ai"
HEADERS = {"X-API-Key": os.environ["ZSKY_API_KEY"]}

# 1. Submit the job
r = requests.post(
    f"{API}/v1/videos/generate",
    headers=HEADERS,
    json={
        "prompt": "Timelapse of a city skyline from day to night",
        "duration": 8,
        "resolution": "1080p",
        "audio": True,
        "style": "cinematic",
    },
)
r.raise_for_status()
job = r.json()

# 2. Poll until done
while True:
    status = requests.get(f"{API}{job['poll_url']}", headers=HEADERS).json()
    if status["status"] == "done":
        break
    if status["status"] == "failed":
        raise RuntimeError(status.get("error"))
    time.sleep(2)

# 3. Download the signed result URL
mp4 = requests.get(status["result_url"]).content
open("city_timelapse.mp4", "wb").write(mp4)
print("Video generated successfully")

Allowance and Opt-in Overage

Subscribe to the Max plan to get a key and start generating 4K video with audio programmatically.

Max-Plan API Allowance

Here is exactly what you get on the Max plan, and how overage works if you exceed the base monthly allowance:

For sustained higher volume, contact [email protected] for an Enterprise quote with custom SLA.

Image-to-Video

Beyond text-to-video, the API supports image-to-video generation. POST a still image URL and the API animates it with motion, camera movement, and synchronized audio. Useful for product photography, social media content, and presentations.

curl -X POST https://zsky.ai/v1/videos/generate \
  -H "X-API-Key: zsky_live_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "image_url": "https://example.com/product-photo.jpg",
    "prompt": "Slow zoom with soft lighting transition",
    "duration": 5,
    "audio": true
  }'

Common Use Cases

Social Media Content Automation

Generate video content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts programmatically. One API call per video, scheduled through your content pipeline.

E-Commerce Product Videos

Turn static product images into dynamic video showcases. The image-to-video endpoint adds camera movement, lighting effects, and ambient audio automatically.

SaaS Feature Demos

Create explainer videos and feature demos from text descriptions. Perfect for onboarding flows and marketing pages where video increases conversion rates by 80% or more.

Game and App Prototyping

Generate concept videos for game trailers, app store previews, and pitch decks without video editing software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free or anonymous API tier?

No. The ZSky AI video generation API requires a Max-plan subscription ($99/month, or $79.20/month annual) and an X-API-Key header on every call. If you want free video generation, the browser tool at zsky.ai/create is unlimited and ad-supported — no signup required.

What video formats does the API support?

The video API returns MP4 files with synchronized audio. Max-tier API output supports up to 4K resolution at up to 30 seconds per clip.

Do I need an API key?

Yes. Every API call requires an X-API-Key: zsky_live_... header. Keys are issued automatically when you subscribe to the Max plan and are visible in your account settings.

Can I use API output for commercial projects?

Yes. Max-plan API output ships with the white-label commercial license. Integrate generated videos into your product, use them in marketing campaigns, or build applications on top of them.