Video Model API Markups Exposed: Runway Charges 414%, New Sume API Launches With 0% Markup
Scobleizer · x · 2026-10-23
A builder in AI video called out the markup practices of model-routing API providers: Higgsfield API adds 40% even at its maximum advertised discount, fal adds 100%, and Runway adds 414% when reselling Seedance 2 480p.
In response, the author launched Sume API, claiming to be the first image & video model provider with 0% markup. For Seedance 2.5 1080p, it is 50% cheaper than fal, 29-50% cheaper than Higgsfield API, and 28.02% cheaper than kie ai. The thesis: routing infrastructure is never the moat — APIs should be commoditized, and moats will be built at the application layer.
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