Runway

Runway is an AI creative suite for generating and editing video and images in the browser. You can create video clips from text or from an image, edit and extend footage, and control motion and camera movement. It is built around a credit system, so what you pay depends on how much you generate.

Quick facts

• Made by: Runway (founded 2018)
• Free plan: Yes, with a one-time allowance of credits
• Paid plans: Standard, Pro and Max, plus Enterprise
• Works on: Web and iOS, with an API for developers
• Pricing last checked: October 2026, using several recent published sources. Runway replaced its former Unlimited plan with Max in 2026, so confirm on the official pricing page.

What Runway is best at

• Short generated clips: concept videos, b-roll and social content from text or a reference image.
• Video editing with AI: extend, restyle or modify existing footage.
• Visual experiments: quickly test ideas before committing to a real shoot.
• Image generation: create stills to use as starting frames for video.

How credits work

Every generation uses credits, and longer or higher-quality clips cost more. As one example from published figures, a Gen-4.5 video clip costs about 12 credits per second. Standard and Pro credits refresh monthly and do not roll over, while Max lets unused monthly credits roll over once. Paid plans can buy extra credit top-ups, but the Free plan cannot.

Plans and pricing

As a rough guide, a Pro allowance of 2,250 credits buys a little over three minutes of video at 12 credits per second, so plan your budget before starting a project. Some output options, such as ProRes or HDR, cost extra credits. Check the current terms for commercial use on your plan before publishing generated content.

Best for

• Filmmakers, marketers and creators who need short AI-generated clips.
• Teams who want to prototype video ideas quickly.

Less suited to

• Long, finished videos, since generation is short-clip and credit-based.
• Projects that need precise, repeatable control of every frame.
• Anyone on a tight budget who needs a lot of footage.

How to get started

1. Create an account on the Runway website and try the Free plan’s credits.
2. Start with a strong reference image or a clear text description of the shot.
3. Generate short clips first to check the look before using more credits.
4. Adjust the prompt for camera movement, lighting and action, then regenerate.
5. Upgrade to Standard or Pro once you know how many credits a project needs.

Prompt ideas to copy

Slow dolly-in on [subject] in [setting], soft natural light, shallow depth of field, cinematic, steady camera.

Aerial shot rising over [location] at sunrise, gentle mist, smooth continuous motion, natural colours.

Close-up of [object] on a [surface], rotating slowly, studio lighting, clean background, product-ad style.

Limitations and things to watch

• Credits run out quickly on long or high-quality clips.
• Free credits are a one-time allowance, not monthly.
• Do not use real people’s likeness, trademarked characters or footage you do not have rights to.
• Results vary, so expect to regenerate several times.

Frequently asked questions

Is Runway free?

Partly. The Free plan gives a one-time allowance of 125 credits, and the Free plan cannot buy extra credits.

How do Runway credits work?

Every generation uses credits, and longer or higher-quality clips cost more. For example, a Gen-4.5 video clip costs about 12 credits per second.

How much does Runway cost?

When we last checked in October 2026, Standard was $15 per month and Pro $35 per month, with lower rates billed annually. Max pricing is on the official page.

Do unused Runway credits roll over?

Standard and Pro credits refresh monthly and do not roll over. Max lets unused monthly credits roll over once.

Can I make long videos with Runway?

Generation is short-clip and credit-based, so it suits short clips better than long, finished videos.

Alternatives

For still images, see Midjourney. For narration and voice, see ElevenLabs. For music, see Suno.