Professional desktop setup with multiple monitors displaying video editing software. Dark room, soft blue glow from screens. High end camera equipment visible on desk. Shot on Sony A7III, 35mm f1.4, shallow depth of field, dramatic lighting.
Created using Ideogram 2.0 Turbo with the prompt, "Professional desktop setup with multiple monitors displaying video editing software. Dark room, soft blue glow from screens. High end camera equipment visible on desk. Shot on Sony A7III, 35mm f1.4, shallow depth of field, dramatic lighting."

Pika 2.0 Released But Standard Plan Users Left Without Access

Pika Labs just released Pika 2.0, and I’m annoyed. As someone who paid $92 for their Standard plan, I expected access to their new model. Instead, I’m stuck with the old version while Pro users get to play with all the shiny new features.

So what exactly are we missing out on? The new model brings some impressive upgrades – text-to-video generation that actually follows your prompts, image-to-video capabilities, and advanced cinematic effects. They’ve even added scene ingredients that let you build shots using specific characters, objects, and settings from reference images.

But here’s what bugs me: Pika Labs charges different rates for Standard and Pro plans. While the Standard plan isn’t expensive at $92, it still represents a commitment to their platform. Yet paying customers on Standard plans aren’t getting immediate access to these improvements.

I’m not alone in this frustration. Other Standard plan users are voicing similar complaints. While Pika’s flexible pricing and upgrade options are nice, they don’t make up for leaving loyal customers hanging. The platform itself has proven its worth – major brands like Balenciaga and Vogue use it. The quality is there. But this rollout strategy feels like a slap in the face to existing subscribers.

If you’re considering signing up for Pika, be aware that you’ll need the Pro plan to access Pika 2.0. And if you’re a current Standard subscriber like me, maybe it’s worth reaching out to their support team to voice your concerns.

For more AI video creation options, check out my comparison of the top AI video models here:

Top 10 AI Model Video Comparison

Or read my thoughts on OpenAI’s Sora, another major player in the AI video space:

Sora Finally Launches: A Long Awaited, Mild Improvement