# Runway vs Vidu

> Runway: AI video, image and audio creation suite with Gen-4.5, agents and an API
> Vidu: Generate consistent AI videos from text, images and reference characters in one workspace

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

## Verdict

Runway is listed under Image & Visual AI and Vidu under Video AI. Runway scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.4 vs 7.8 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only Vidu is available on CLI.

### 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 Vidu if

- You want a tool built for short clips that need a consistent character or product across shots, and animating still images.
- Reference to Video with a saved My References library helps keep characters and props consistent.
- Supports text, image and reference inputs, plus first and last frame control.

## Pricing

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

## Features

| Feature | Runway | Vidu |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 |
| Reference to Video | Not listed | Yes |
| My References | Not listed | Yes |
| Image to Video | Not listed | Yes |
| Text to Video | Not listed | Yes |
| Text and Reference to Image | Not listed | Yes |
| Vidu S real-time model | Not listed | Yes |
| Vidu Agent and AI Templates | Not listed | Yes |
| Off-Peak Mode | Not listed | Yes |
| API Platform | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

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

## 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

## Vidu strengths

- Reference to Video with a saved My References library helps keep characters and props consistent.
- Supports text, image and reference inputs, plus first and last frame control.
- Free credits let users test the product before paying.
- Public API with published per-second pricing for each model and resolution.
- Available on web, iOS, Android and a CLI.

## Vidu limitations

- Plan prices are not visible without loading the pricing page, and third-party sources disagree on them.
- Credit costs vary by model and resolution, so per-video cost is hard to predict; 4K Q4 preview output costs 78 credits per second in the API.
- CostBench reports user complaints about credits being spent on failed renders in the consumer product, and a 2.2/5 Trustpilot score from 17 reviews.
- Clip generation only; scripting, sequencing and final mixing need other tools.

## FAQ

**Is Runway better than Vidu?**

It depends on your workflow. Runway is built for Text-to-video and image-to-video generation. Vidu is built for short clips that need a consistent character or product across shots, and animating still images.

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

Runway: AI video, image and audio creation suite with Gen-4.5, agents and an API. Vidu: Generate consistent AI videos from text, images and reference characters in one workspace.

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

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

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

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