Grok Imagine: image and video generation and how it differs from the rivals

Grok Imagine is xAI's family of generative models for images and short videos: it turns a text description into a picture in seconds and can then animate that picture into a clip. On NeuralSpace Grok Imagine lives in two places — in the image generator (models Grok Imagine 1 and Grok Imagine 2) and in the video section, where Grok sits at the top of the model list. Below: what Grok Imagine can do, how to make your first run step by step, how it differs from Seedance, Sora, Veo and Kling, and how to spend your starter tokens wisely — there is no subscription on the site, you pay per token.

What Grok Imagine is and what it can do

Grok Imagine is xAI's generator that works in two modes: images and video. In image mode it draws a frame from a description and supports reference work (image-to-image): upload a sample and ask for a similar frame in a different style. In video mode Grok accepts both text and an image: from text it builds a scene from scratch, and from an uploaded photo it creates motion — it animates a still frame. Three things worth knowing before your first run. First, speed: an image appears in seconds, so Grok is great as a fast sketch of an idea, not only for the final frame. Second, the Fun / Normal / Spicy modes: they change how freely the model interprets your description, and Spicy is available only for text prompts, without uploaded images. Third, references: in video Grok accepts up to seven images, and you can point to them in the prompt by number — @image1, @image2 and so on.

How to start with images on NeuralSpace

Open the image section. In the Model list pick the Grok family, then the version: Grok Imagine 1 or Grok Imagine 2. Below is the description field: write what should be in the frame in plain words, but be specific — subject, light, angle, style. Set the frame format: 2:3, 3:2, 1:1, 16:9 or 9:16. If you need a frame based on a sample, upload a reference — Grok Imagine supports image-to-image. Hit Generate: the picture appears in the gallery, where you can download it. Use Grok Imagine 1 to explore ideas cheaply and Grok Imagine 2 for the final frame.

How to start with video

In the video section pick the Grok model. Then four settings. Aspect ratio: 2:3, 3:2, 1:1, 16:9 or 9:16. Mode: Fun, Normal or Spicy. Resolution: 480p, 720p or 1080p. Duration: a slider from 6 to 30 seconds. Describe the scene in the prompt field — what happens, how the camera moves, what is in frame. If you want to animate a photo, upload up to seven images and reference them in the text as @image1, @image2. A finished clip can be extended or upscaled to 1080p.

How Grok Imagine differs from the rivals

On NeuralSpace, Grok sits next to Seedance, Sora, Veo, Kling, Wan and others. The differences are practical:

• Speed and price. Grok is the fastest and one of the cheapest options: pricing is per second, and 480p costs noticeably less than 720p. For drafts and idea exploration that beats flagship models.
• Fun / Normal / Spicy modes. Neither Seedance, nor Sora, nor Veo has such a freedom switch — it is a signature Grok Imagine feature.
• References. Grok accepts up to seven images and understands @image1…@image7 links right in the prompt; Sora and Veo take fewer — one to three.
• Length. Grok delivers clips from 6 to 30 seconds in one run; Sora 2 gives 10 or 15 seconds, Veo 3.1 a fixed clip.
• Text inside the image. If you need readable lettering, Ideogram is stronger; Grok is better at fast artistic and lively frames.

In short: Grok Imagine is the workhorse for quick ideas and photo animation, while Seedance, Sora and Veo are for maximum detail and a cinematic look.

What it costs and how not to waste tokens

There is no subscription on NeuralSpace: new users get starter tokens, and after that you pay only for the tokens you spend. Grok video is billed per second, so the price depends on resolution and duration — it is shown before you run it. Practical rules: start at 480p and 6 seconds to test the idea; raise resolution and length only for the final take; for images, explore composition on Grok Imagine 1 first and make the final frame on Grok Imagine 2.

FAQ

Is Grok Imagine for images or video?

Both. On NeuralSpace, images come from Grok Imagine 1 and Grok Imagine 2 in the image section, while video comes from the Grok model in the video section: from text or from an uploaded image.

How is Grok Imagine different from Seedance and Sora?

Speed, price and the Fun / Normal / Spicy modes. Grok is faster and cheaper for drafts and takes up to seven references, while Seedance and Sora are stronger in detail and a cinematic look.

Can I animate my own photo?

Yes. In the video section pick Grok, upload an image (up to seven) and describe the motion. Reference the uploaded frames in the prompt as @image1, @image2.

How much does a Grok Imagine generation cost?

You pay per token with no subscription: video is billed per second (depending on resolution and duration), images per frame. The price is shown before you run it, and new users get starter tokens.