specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
provider: Captions
providerId: captions-ai
created: '2026-06-12'
modified: '2026-06-12'

billingModel: hybrid
billingModelNotes: >
  Captions uses a hybrid billing model combining subscription tiers (monthly flat-fee plans
  that include credit allocations) with metered API billing. The Video Captions API is billed
  directly at $0.15/minute of input video. The AI Creator and AI Ads APIs consume credits from
  the subscription plan allocation at 1 credit/second of generated video. Enterprise customers
  receive custom bulk credit pricing.

focusColumns:
  - BilledCost
  - UsageQuantity
  - UsageUnit
  - ResourceId
  - ServiceName
  - SubAccountId
  - ChargeType
  - ChargeFrequency

meters:
  - name: video_captioning_minutes
    description: Minutes of input video processed by the Add Captions API endpoint
    unit: minutes
    unitRate:
      amount: 0.15
      currency: USD
    chargeType: Usage
    chargeFrequency: usage-based
    billingRounding: ceil
    billingRoundingUnit: minute
    focusMapping:
      ServiceName: Captions Video Captions API
      UsageUnit: Minutes
      ChargeType: Usage

  - name: ai_creator_credits
    description: Credits consumed by AI Creator video generation at 1 credit per second of output video
    unit: credits
    chargeType: Usage
    chargeFrequency: usage-based
    notes: Credits are deducted from monthly plan allocation; additional credits purchasable via dashboard
    focusMapping:
      ServiceName: Captions AI Creator API
      UsageUnit: Credits
      ChargeType: Usage

  - name: ai_ads_credits
    description: Credits consumed by AI Ads video generation at 1 credit per second of output video
    unit: credits
    chargeType: Usage
    chargeFrequency: usage-based
    notes: Credits are deducted from monthly plan allocation; additional credits purchasable via dashboard
    focusMapping:
      ServiceName: Captions AI Ads API
      UsageUnit: Credits
      ChargeType: Usage

  - name: subscription_fee
    description: Monthly subscription fee covering plan tier and bundled credit allocation
    unit: months
    chargeType: Recurring
    chargeFrequency: monthly
    tiers:
      - planName: Max
        amount: 24.99
        currency: USD
        includedCredits: 500
      - planName: Scale 1x
        amount: 69.99
        currency: USD
        includedCredits: 1400
      - planName: Scale 2x
        amount: 139.99
        currency: USD
        includedCredits: 2800
      - planName: Scale 4x
        amount: 279.99
        currency: USD
        includedCredits: 5600
    focusMapping:
      ServiceName: Captions Subscription
      ChargeType: Recurring
      ChargeFrequency: Monthly

principles:
  - name: Visibility
    description: >
      API credit consumption and video generation costs are visible in the Captions API
      dashboard at https://desktop.captions.ai/api. Unused credits roll over up to 3x the
      monthly allowance, providing buffer visibility. Per-minute pricing for captioning allows
      predictable cost estimation before processing.

  - name: Optimization
    description: >
      Optimize AI Creator and AI Ads costs by keeping scripts concise to minimize generated
      video duration (1 credit/second). Use the /poll endpoint to avoid redundant API calls
      during job processing. Utilize credit rollover (up to 3 months) to smooth spending.
      Select the appropriate Scale tier based on monthly video volume to minimize per-credit
      cost at higher usage levels.

  - name: Accountability
    description: >
      Credits are tied to individual API keys linked to organizational accounts. Dashboard
      provides real-time balance visibility. Enterprise plans include custom seat management
      and dedicated account oversight for larger teams.