Runway AI Video Generator, Editor & Pricing

Runway is an AI video generator and cloud-based creative suite for turning text prompts, reference images or existing footage into short video clips. It brings video generation, visual editing, image creation and audio tools into one workspace, with both Runway models and selected third-party models available for different shots and styles.

Runway AI video generator workflow

Generate from text, images or video

Runway can start with a written prompt, a still image or an existing clip. Gen-4.5 supports text-to-video and image-to-video generation, while other available models cover image creation, video transformation and additional media workflows.

For image-to-video work, upload a reference image and describe how the subject, camera or environment should move. Text-to-video prompts should describe both the scene and the intended motion.

Edit and refine existing footage

Runway is not limited to generating new clips. Its video tools can relight a scene, replace a backdrop, change the time of day, or add, move and remove objects from existing footage. Aleph 2.0 and task-specific Apps provide guided editing workflows without requiring manual masks for every change.

Completed clips can be extended, upscaled and exported. Longer sequences can be assembled by extending shots or joining multiple generations through Workflows.

Add sound and maintain characters

Supported models can generate dialogue or music, and Runway can add voiceover and music after a clip is created. Reference images and videos help maintain a character’s appearance across multiple shots.

Runway also offers Characters, a separate real-time avatar product that can animate a single reference image and combine it with a custom voice, knowledge and interactive tools.

Pricing and credits

Runway uses a freemium credit model:

• Free: 125 one-time credits, a limited selection of models and 5GB of asset storage.
• Standard: $15 month-to-month or $12 per month when billed annually, with 625 monthly credits.
• Pro: $35 month-to-month or $28 per month when billed annually, with 2,250 monthly credits and custom voice features.
• Max: $95 month-to-month or $76 per month when billed annually, with 9,500 monthly credits.
• Enterprise: custom credits, team controls and support through sales.

Free-plan credits do not refresh, and videos generated on the Free plan include a Runway watermark. Standard and Pro monthly credits do not roll over. Max can roll over up to one month of unused credits, while separately purchased credits do not expire.

Limits to consider

Gen-4.5 requires Standard or a higher plan. It costs 12 credits per generated second and produces clips from 2 to 10 seconds at 720p. Supported outputs run at 24 or 25 FPS and can be upscaled to 4K after generation.

Model access on the Free plan can change, and Free users cannot purchase extra credits without upgrading. Runway’s older timeline-based video editor is no longer actively maintained, so a local editor may still be preferable for larger projects and final assembly.

Who is Runway for?

Runway is most useful for filmmakers, designers, agencies, advertisers and visual creators who need to prototype shots, animate still images, transform footage or create short-form visual assets. It is especially relevant when a workflow needs generation and AI-assisted editing in the same browser-based environment.

Frequently asked questions

Is Runway’s AI video generator free?

Runway has a Free plan with 125 one-time credits and access to a limited selection of models. The credits do not refresh, and Free-plan videos include a Runway watermark.

Can Runway edit existing video?

Yes. Runway can transform existing footage with tools for relighting, backdrop replacement, object changes and style edits. Available features depend on the selected model or App.

How long can a Runway video be?

A single Gen-4.5 generation can be 2 to 10 seconds long. Longer sequences can be built by extending clips or stitching several generations together.

Does Runway generate 4K video?

Generative video is initially produced at 720p. Runway provides an Upscale to 4K action for supported outputs.

Can I use Runway content commercially?

Runway says users retain their rights to their creations and may use the output commercially without mandatory Runway attribution. Users remain responsible for the rights to their prompts, uploads and final content.

Do unused Runway credits expire?

Standard and Pro monthly credits reset each billing cycle. Max can carry over up to one month of unused credits. Credits purchased separately do not expire.