Check which balance is expiring before comparing AI credit policies. A one-time purchase, a monthly allowance and an extra compute pack can have different rules. Raywake uses a USD balance; provider credits and compute units cannot be compared by raw unit count.
This first-party comparison was checked on 18 October 2026. It summarizes the purchase types described in the linked sources, not every plan or promotional grant.
Purchased balance and extra packs
| Platform | Purchase type covered here | Published validity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raywake | Purchased USD balance | 12 months | Pricing |
| fal | Purchased credits | 365 days | FAQ |
| Replicate | Purchased credit | One year | Prepaid billing |
| Krea | Additional one-time compute packs | 90 days | Pricing |
The first three periods are broadly similar. Krea's entry is specifically about extra packs; it should not be used as a claim that every Krea allocation has the same expiry.
Expiry is not the same as a refund
Validity tells you how long a balance can be used. Refund terms govern whether an unused purchase can be returned. A failed generation's reservation release is a third, separate event.
Raywake's refund policy describes a 14-day request window for unused purchased balance, subject to its terms. Replicate describes purchased credit as non-refundable in its prepaid billing documentation. This comparison does not infer other providers' refund rules from their expiry periods.
How much should you add?
Begin with the jobs you intend to run soon. Quote the actual model and settings, estimate the deliberate creative variations you can afford, and add a reasonable project budget. Avoid buying a large balance solely because its validity period sounds generous.
For example, if a hypothetical project plans ten attempts with a maximum reservation of $0.50 each, $5 covers those planned reservations. That is an accounting illustration, not a current quote or a guarantee of ten accepted clips. Image preparation, narration and later edits may be separate jobs.
Keep unresolved reservations visible in your application. Available balance can decrease while work is running even though the final charge has not yet settled. Reservations and settlement
Common questions
Does “12 months” mean unlimited generation?
No. Generation consumes the available balance. The validity period only describes when the purchased balance expires.
Do credits buy the same amount on different platforms?
No. Compare a defined model operation and settings in money, using current pricing. Two providers can assign different units and names to the same category of work.
What happens when a Raywake job fails?
A failed job releases its reserved funds. A timeout or unresolved submission is not confirmed failure; follow the job state before buying another attempt. Retry guidance
Can I use the same Raywake balance in the studio and API?
Yes. Both entry points use the same account balance. See the current pricing page and API quickstart.
Check a workflow before adding balance