AI Video Generation · Pricing comparison
Runway vs Synthesia: Pricing
Runway is the cheaper option ($6.00/mo less), both offer a free plan, Synthesia 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
Runway is the cheaper option ($6.00/mo less), both offer a free plan, Synthesia rates slightly higher.
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Runway vs Synthesia: side-by-side
| Feature | Runway | Synthesia |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI Video Generation | AI Video Generation |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan details | One-time 125 free credits (not monthly). | Free plan with ~10 video minutes per month. |
| Starting price | $12/mo (Standard, billed yearly) | $18/mo (Starter, billed yearly) |
| Highest known plan | $95/mo (Max) | $89/mo (Creator), custom Enterprise |
| Trial of paid plan | No (free plan instead) | No (free plan instead) |
| Best for | Filmmakers and ad teams who need creative control | L&D and internal-comms teams producing training video at scale |
| Team support | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Editor rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
Pricing and free plans
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 The Unlimited plan has been replaced by Max.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).
Synthesia uses a freemium model, starting at $18/mo (Starter, billed yearly). Starter is $29/mo or $18/mo billed yearly. Creator is $89/mo. The free Basic plan includes about 10 minutes of video per month. Its free plan: Free plan with ~10 video minutes per month.
Which is cheaper?
If budget is the deciding factor, Runway wins on entry price. If output quality or specific features matter more, weigh the feature lists below before deciding.
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
Synthesia: pros and cons
Pros
- Enterprise-grade avatar quality
- Massive language coverage
- Fortune-100 adoption
Cons
- Minutes cap tightly on cheap plans
- Not for cinematic video
- Custom avatars cost extra
Who each tool is best for
- Best for beginners: Runway — lower barrier to entry and easier to start for free or cheaply.
- Best for teams: Synthesia.
- Runway is best for: Filmmakers and ad teams who need creative control.
- Synthesia is best for: L&D and internal-comms teams producing training video at scale.
Verdict
On price alone, Runway is the value pick at $12/mo (Standard, billed yearly). Synthesia edges ahead on our editor rating. For most people, choose Runway if you want filmmakers and ad teams who need creative control, and Synthesia if you want l&d and internal-comms teams producing training video at scale.
Runway vs Synthesia FAQ
Which is cheaper, Runway or Synthesia?
Runway has the cheaper entry price — about $6.00/mo less. Runway starts at $12/mo (Standard, billed yearly), while Synthesia starts at $18/mo (Starter, billed yearly).
Does Runway or Synthesia have a free plan?
Both offer a free plan. Runway: One-time 125 free credits (not monthly). Synthesia: Free plan with ~10 video minutes per month.
Is Runway or Synthesia better for beginners?
Runway 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?
Synthesia is the stronger team pick given its collaboration support and rating.