# Runway vs Topaz Labs

> Runway: AI video, image and audio creation suite with Gen-4.5, agents and an API
> Topaz Labs: AI upscaling, sharpening and restoration for photos and video, on desktop, web and iPhone

- Runway profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/runway
- Topaz Labs profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/topaz-labs
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/runway-vs-topaz-labs
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

Runway and Topaz Labs are both Image & Visual AI tools. Runway scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.4 vs 7.9 out of 10). Only Runway has a free plan or trial. Only Runway is available on Android. Only Topaz Labs is available on Windows and macOS.

### 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.

### Choose Topaz Labs if

- You want a tool built for upscaling and sharpening low-resolution photos, restoring old images, enhancing or upscaling video footage.
- Covers photo upscaling, enhancement and video in one product family.
- Desktop apps for macOS and Windows can render locally without cloud limits.

## Pricing

| | Runway | Topaz Labs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | No |
| Starting price | $0 | $59 |

## Features

| Feature | Runway | Topaz Labs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gen-4.5 video model | Yes | Not listed |
| Creative Agent | Yes | Not listed |
| Multiple models | Yes | Not listed |
| Characters | Yes | Not listed |
| Aleph and Act-Two | Yes | Not listed |
| Audio tools | Yes | Not listed |
| Workflows and Recipes | Yes | Not listed |
| Runway Dev API | Yes | Not listed |
| Runway MCP | Yes | Not listed |
| Topaz Photo | Not listed | Yes |
| Topaz Gigapixel | Not listed | Yes |
| Topaz Video | Not listed | Yes |
| Topaz for Web | Not listed | Yes |
| Topaz for Mobile | Not listed | Yes |
| Local and cloud rendering | Not listed | Yes |
| Topaz Studio bundle | Not listed | Yes |
| Enhance API | Not listed | Yes |
| Enterprise options | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Runway | Topaz Labs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | No | Yes |
| macOS | No | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | No |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |

## 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

## Topaz Labs strengths

- Covers photo upscaling, enhancement and video in one product family.
- Desktop apps for macOS and Windows can render locally without cloud limits.
- Studio bundles all apps with unlimited local and cloud image rendering.
- Public REST API with per-credit pricing for developers.
- Web and iPhone apps allow work without a powerful local GPU.

## Topaz Labs limitations

- Subscription-only pricing; no free tier or free trial is listed on the pricing page.
- Pricing is complex, with many overlapping plans, intro offers and different monthly and annual figures.
- Video cloud credits are limited each month and expire without rolling over.
- Mobile support is iPhone only; Android is still listed as in development.

## FAQ

**Is Runway better than Topaz Labs?**

It depends on your workflow. Runway is built for Text-to-video and image-to-video generation. Topaz Labs is built for upscaling and sharpening low-resolution photos, restoring old images, enhancing or upscaling video footage.

**What are the key feature differences between Runway and Topaz Labs?**

Runway: AI video, image and audio creation suite with Gen-4.5, agents and an API. Topaz Labs: AI upscaling, sharpening and restoration for photos and video, on desktop, web and iPhone.

**Does Runway or Topaz Labs have a free plan?**

Runway has a free plan or trial; Topaz Labs is paid only.

**Which is cheaper, Runway or Topaz Labs?**

Runway starts at $0 and Topaz Labs starts at $59. See the pricing table above for what each tier includes.