HeyGen vs Runway (2026): Which Is Better?
Winner
Runway is the better pick for most people as of September 2026, rated 4.4/5 versus 4.3/5 for HeyGen. Both have free plans. HeyGen is the better choice for multilingual marketing videos.
We may earn a commission if you buy through our links. This doesn't affect our rankings. Learn more about our affiliate disclosure.
Compiled from BestAI's full reviews of HeyGen and Runway, using the same ratings, pricing and test notes. See our review methodology.
HeyGen vs Runway: side-by-side
| Criterion | HeyGen | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| BestAI rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Starting price | $29/mo | $12/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Ease of use | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Features | 4.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Output quality | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Value for money | 4.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Platforms | API, Web | API, Web |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Multilingual marketing videos | Short AI-generated video clips |
| Company | HeyGen, 2020 | Runway AI, Inc., 2018 |
Strengths and weaknesses
HeyGen
- Strong avatar video generation
- Video translation and dubbing with lip-sync
- Custom avatar creation from your own footage
- Usable free tier for testing
- Free tier exports are watermarked
- Custom avatars require a paid plan
- Best suited to presenter-style content, not cinematic video
Runway
- Leading text-to-video and image-to-video quality
- Bundled AI editing tools (green screen, inpainting, motion tracking)
- Frequent model updates
- Usable for both generation and traditional editing
- Credit-based pricing can get expensive with heavy use
- Generated clips are still short in length
- Free tier is limited
Key features
HeyGen
- Text-to-video with AI avatars
- Video translation and dubbing
- Custom avatar creation
- Template library
- API access
Runway
- Text-to-video generation
- Image-to-video generation
- AI green screen and inpainting
- Motion tracking
- Credit-based generation system
Which should you choose?
Choose HeyGen if you need:
- Multilingual marketing videos
- Product demo videos
- Localized training content
- A free plan (paid plans from $29/mo)
Choose Runway if you need:
- Short AI-generated video clips
- B-roll and concept videos
- AI-assisted video editing
- A free plan (paid plans from $12/mo)
Frequently asked questions
Is HeyGen better than Runway?+
For most people, Runway comes out ahead: BestAI rates it 4.4/5 against 4.3/5 for HeyGen. HeyGen is still the better fit for multilingual marketing videos.
Which is cheaper, HeyGen or Runway?+
Runway is cheaper, starting at $12/mo versus $29/mo for HeyGen. Both have free plans.
Do HeyGen and Runway have free plans?+
HeyGen has a free plan (limited monthly credits with watermarked exports). Runway has a free plan (limited one-time credits for generation, often with watermarks).
What is the main difference between HeyGen and Runway?+
HeyGen is best for multilingual marketing videos, and its standout strength is strong avatar video generation. Runway is best for short AI-generated video clips, with leading text-to-video and image-to-video quality as its biggest advantage.