HeyGen vs RunwayML: which one to choose in 2026?

Community ratings, features, pricing and free plans: the complete head-to-head between HeyGen and RunwayML to find the right tool for your needs.

Verified

HeyGen

4.4 (218)

HeyGen lets you produce professional videos with talking avatars, no camera or studio required. Pick a virtual presenter or create your own digital twin, type in your script, and the platform generates a strikingly realistic video. Its latest models, Avatar IV and then Avatar V, can animate a single photo with remarkably lifelike expressions. Its video translation feature even lip-syncs content in over 170 languages.

Text to VideoAvatar Generator

View details Official site

Verified

RunwayML

4.5 (302)

Runway has established itself as the AI video creation studio of choice for professionals, with credits that extend all the way to Hollywood productions. Its flagship Gen-4.5 model turns text or an image into cinematic video footage, while Aleph edits an existing shot from a simple written instruction. The toolkit also covers automatic green screen, slow motion and plenty of other magic touch-ups.

Text to VideoVideo Editor

View details Official site

Comparison table

Criterion	HeyGen	RunwayML
Average rating	4.4	4.5
Number of reviews	218	302
Free plan	Yes	No
Plans	Free, Creator, Business	Basic, Standard, Pro
Categories	Text to Video, Avatar Generator	Text to Video, Video Editor
Last updated	July 8, 2026	July 8, 2026

See all tools in these categories: Text to Video

Our verdict

HeyGen or RunwayML?

HeyGen (4.4/5) and RunwayML (4.5/5) earn very similar ratings from our community: the choice mostly comes down to your use case.

Budget-wise, HeyGen offers a free plan to get started, while RunwayML does not appear to offer one.

Positioning-wise, HeyGen stands out in Avatar Generator, while RunwayML focuses on Video Editor.

Features head to head

HeyGen

Over 500 realistic ready-to-use avatars
Avatar IV and Avatar V models: ultra-expressive avatars generated from a single photo
Custom avatar creation from your own videos
Video translation with lip syncing
Studio-quality multilingual voiceovers
Ready-made templates for training and marketing

RunwayML

Realistic video generation from text or images
Editing of existing shots via text instructions with Aleph
Precise control over camera movements
Video background removal without a green screen
Editing tools: slow motion, image expansion, cleanup
Team collaboration on shared projects

Pricing compared

HeyGen

Free

3 videos per month, up to one minute each
HeyGen watermark
Access to public avatars and the Avatar IV model

Creator

$29 per month, or $24 per month billed annually
Credit-based monthly generation, no watermark
1080p export, videos up to 30 minutes
Custom avatar and voice cloning included

Business

$149 per month, plus $20 per seat
Team collaboration and SSO
4K export and videos up to 60 minutes

RunwayML

Basic

Free
125 credits included at sign-up
Watermarked exports

Standard

$12 per month
625 monthly credits
Watermark-free exports
Access to Gen-4.5 and partner models (Veo, Kling...)

Pro

$28 per month
2,250 monthly credits
Custom voices and expanded storage

Prices are indicative and may change — check the official sites for up-to-date pricing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between HeyGen and RunwayML?

Both tools share the Text to Video space, but HeyGen also covers Avatar Generator, while RunwayML adds Video Editor.

HeyGen or RunwayML: which one is rated higher?

The two tools are neck and neck: HeyGen shows 4.4/5 (218 reviews) and RunwayML 4.5/5 (302 reviews).

Can you use HeyGen or RunwayML for free?

HeyGen offers a free plan, and RunwayML does not offer a free plan as far as we know.

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