# HeyGen vs Runway

> HeyGen: Create avatar videos from text and translate them into 175+ languages
> Runway: AI video, image and audio creation suite with Gen-4.5, agents and an API

- HeyGen profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/heygen
- Runway profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/runway
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/heygen-vs-runway
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

HeyGen is listed under Video AI and Runway under Image & Visual AI. Both have a free plan or trial. Only HeyGen is available on CLI.

### Choose HeyGen if

- You want a tool built for Avatar-presented training and explainer videos.
- Free plan with no time limit, though capped at 3 videos a month.
- Video Translation with voice preservation and lip-sync in 175+ languages.

### Choose Runway if

- You want a tool built for Text-to-video and image-to-video generation.
- Combines video, image and audio generation and editing in one workspace.
- Offers Runway's own Gen-4.5 plus third-party models such as Seedance 2.0.

## Pricing

| | HeyGen | Runway |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | HeyGen | Runway |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AI Studio | Yes | Not listed |
| Avatars | Yes | Not listed |
| Video Translation | Yes | Not listed |
| Video Agent | Yes | Not listed |
| Multiple input types | Yes | Not listed |
| Voice cloning | Yes | Not listed |
| Interactive video and SCORM export | Yes | Not listed |
| Developer API | Yes | Not listed |
| Identity verification and moderation | Yes | Not listed |
| Gen-4.5 video model | Not listed | Yes |
| Creative Agent | Not listed | Yes |
| Multiple models | Not listed | Yes |
| Characters | Not listed | Yes |
| Aleph and Act-Two | Not listed | Yes |
| Audio tools | Not listed | Yes |
| Workflows and Recipes | Not listed | Yes |
| Runway Dev API | Not listed | Yes |
| Runway MCP | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | HeyGen | Runway |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | No | No |
| macOS | No | No |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| CLI | Yes | No |

## HeyGen strengths

- Free plan with no time limit, though capped at 3 videos a month
- Video Translation with voice preservation and lip-sync in 175+ languages
- Text-based editor with Brand Kit, captions and multi-user editing
- Custom avatars and voice cloning on every plan, including Free
- Public API with CLI and MCP server, and iOS and Android apps
- Business plan adds SAML/SSO, SCORM export and LMS integrations

## HeyGen limitations

- Free plan limits videos to 1 minute and 3 per month
- 4K export and advanced AI models need Pro at $49 per month or higher
- Credit-based pricing makes the cost of a video depend on model, length and complexity
- Business starts at $149 per month plus $20 for each extra seat
- Android app is stated as available in the U.S. only

## Runway strengths

- Combines video, image and audio generation and editing in one workspace
- Offers Runway's own Gen-4.5 plus third-party models such as Seedance 2.0
- Creative Agent builds videos from a conversation
- Runway Dev API with Node and Python SDKs
- Free plan with 125 credits that do not expire
- Native iOS and Android apps

## Runway limitations

- Credit-based pricing: a 5-second Gen-4.5 clip costs 60 credits, so the 625 credits on Standard cover about 10 such clips
- Standard and Pro credits do not roll over at the end of the month
- Some App Store reviewers complain about the cost of failed or unusable generations
- 4K upscaling is unlimited only on Pro and Max

## FAQ

**Is HeyGen better than Runway?**

It depends on your workflow. HeyGen is built for Avatar-presented training and explainer videos. Runway is built for Text-to-video and image-to-video generation.

**What are the key feature differences between HeyGen and Runway?**

HeyGen: Create avatar videos from text and translate them into 175+ languages. Runway: AI video, image and audio creation suite with Gen-4.5, agents and an API. HeyGen is rated 4.0/5 from 1 user review.

**Does HeyGen or Runway have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. HeyGen is freemium and Runway is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, HeyGen or Runway?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.