AI Video Generation · Pricing comparison
Magic Hour vs Runway: Pricing
Both offer a free plan, Runway rates slightly higher. Below we break down plans, free tiers, and value so you can decide which fits your budget and workflow.
Last checked September 27, 2026
At a glance
Both offer a free plan, Runway rates slightly higher.
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Magic Hour vs Runway: side-by-side
| Feature | Magic Hour | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI Video Generation | AI Video Generation |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan details | Free plan with daily credits; video and audio exports are watermarked (images are not). | One-time 125 free credits (not monthly). |
| Starting price | $12/mo (Creator, billed yearly) | $12/mo (Standard, billed yearly) |
| Highest known plan | $99/mo (Business, monthly) | $95/mo (Max) |
| Trial of paid plan | No (free plan instead) | No (free plan instead) |
| Best for | Social creators who want several video tools (face swap, lip sync, generation) in one plan | Filmmakers and ad teams who need creative control |
| Team support | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Editor rating | 4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
Pricing and free plans
Magic Hour uses a freemium model, starting at $12/mo (Creator, billed yearly). Creator $12/mo yearly or $19 monthly (144,000 credits/yr, about 1.7 hours of video, 1024px). Pro $25/mo yearly or $39 monthly (300,000 credits/yr, 1472px). Business $66/mo yearly or $99 monthly (840,000 credits/yr, 4K). Annual billing saves 33-37%. Credit packs are available. Its free plan: Free plan with daily credits; video and audio exports are watermarked (images are not).
Runway uses a freemium model, starting at $12/mo (Standard, billed yearly). Standard is $15/mo or $12/mo yearly; Pro $35 ($28 yearly); Max $95 ($76 yearly). The Unlimited plan has been replaced by Max. Free accounts get 125 one-time credits. Its free plan: One-time 125 free credits (not monthly).
Which is cheaper?
Neither tool clearly undercuts the other on entry price, so let features and fit for your use case decide.
Magic Hour: pros and cons
Pros
- Low entry price on annual billing
- Many workflows in one subscription
- API access included from the cheapest plan
Cons
- Export resolution capped at 1024px on Creator
- Free plan video exports are watermarked
- Annual plans give credits yearly, so plan your usage
Runway: pros and cons
Pros
- Most creative control in category
- Trusted in professional film work
- Max tier for heavy users
Cons
- Credits deplete quickly
- Steepest learning curve
- Free credits are one-time
Who each tool is best for
- Best for beginners: Magic Hour — lower barrier to entry and easier to start for free or cheaply.
- Best for teams: Runway.
- Magic Hour is best for: Social creators who want several video tools (face swap, lip sync, generation) in one plan.
- Runway is best for: Filmmakers and ad teams who need creative control.
Verdict
On price, the two are close. Runway edges ahead on our editor rating. For most people, choose Magic Hour if you want social creators who want several video tools (face swap, lip sync, generation) in one plan, and Runway if you want filmmakers and ad teams who need creative control.
Magic Hour vs Runway FAQ
Which is cheaper, Magic Hour or Runway?
Magic Hour and Runway have similar entry pricing ($12/mo (Creator, billed yearly) vs $12/mo (Standard, billed yearly)), so features should decide it.
Does Magic Hour or Runway have a free plan?
Both offer a free plan. Magic Hour: Free plan with daily credits; video and audio exports are watermarked (images are not). Runway: One-time 125 free credits (not monthly).
Is Magic Hour or Runway better for beginners?
Magic Hour tends to be the easier starting point thanks to its pricing and free access, though both cover the same core ai video generation needs.
Which is better for teams?
Runway is the stronger team pick given its collaboration support and rating.