Disclosure: ElevenLabs, Runway, Descript, Synthesia and Meshy links are affiliate links (marked). If you sign up through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. There are no paid placements, ever. Prices change often, so confirm on the official site.
Text- and image-to-video generation and editing.
| Category | video |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Free 125 credits (one-time); Standard $15/mo ($12/mo annual) Freemium |
| Free tier | Yes: one-time 125 credits |
| Price source | https://runwayml.com/pricing (checked Oct 27, 2026) |
| Official site | runway.com (affiliate link) |
| Free quota reset | One-time credits only — the 125 free credits never refill once spent |
| Commercial rights | Paid plans required to remove the watermark and export clean video (Standard $15/mo monthly / $12/mo annual) |
| Smartest way to test | Write and refine your image prompts in a free image tool first so you don’t burn Runway’s 125 one-time free credits on trial-and-error prompts |
What it’s good for
Runway makes short video clips from a text prompt or an image. It also has editing tools for jobs like removing backgrounds.
It gives you a lot of creative control, which is why filmmakers and video creators like it.
Who it’s for
Video creators, marketers and anyone who wants to try AI video for b-roll, ads or short clips.
Watch out for
- The free plan is a one-time 125 credits. Video uses credits fast.
- Clips are short, so a longer video means making several and putting them together.
- Don’t make videos of real people without their OK.
- The Runway link on this page is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you sign up. It doesn’t change what I say here.
How it compares
Descript is for editing video you recorded. Synthesia is for presenter-style videos. Adobe Firefly also offers some video models now. See Synthesia vs Runway for a full side-by-side.
Before you pay
Standard is $15/mo, or $12/mo on a yearly plan. Plan your shots before you start so you don’t burn credits on random tries.
How I wrote this: plan and price details come from the official pricing page (checked Oct 2026). The rest is my own take from reading the official pages, not a lab test. How I review
More video guides: Best AI video generators and Runway vs Krea.
Visit Runway → See my workspace
Tap Compare, then tap Compare on another tool in the full list. Or use the quick compare links under each alternative below.
Alternatives
Descript: Edit video and podcasts by editing the transcript.
Free plan; Hobbyist $24/mo ($16/mo annual)
⇄ Compare side by side with Descript
Synthesia: AI avatar videos for training and explainers.
Free plan; Starter $19/mo ($14/mo annual)
⇄ Compare side by side with Synthesia