If you are familiar with AI video generation models, then Runway AI mustn’t be a stranger to you. Popular for its 48-hour AI film challenge and known for its incredible capabilities, Runway AI is a go-to platform for most creators and businesses.

However, a few questions always pop up when anyone tries this tool: Is Runway AI free to Use? How much does Runway AI cost?

Let’s find out and put your queries to rest!

What Is Runway AI?

Officially named Runway ML, the platform uses advanced machine learning and AI algorithms to create, edit, and upscale cinematic videos. Runway AI offers you a comprehensive creative suite designed for filmmakers and storytellers.

You can use Runway AI to:

• Produce videos using text-based prompts. Generate videos from text prompts.
• Enhance videos using reference frames.
• Edit AI videos using built-in tools.
• Add, swap, or remove objects, backgrounds, and noise.
• Apply different filters and styles.
• Work in collaboration with teams.

Runway AI Pricing: Free Plan Overview

Runway ML offers free access to the basic AI tools and video generation features, letting you test the platform’s capabilities. This allows you to have a hands-on experience of the interface, features, rendering speed, and quality.

Key Features of Runway AI Free Plan:

• With free access, you get 125 one-time credits to explore AI video generation and editing features.
• Runway AI free plan lets you have access to Gen-4 Turbo for image-to-video generation and Gen-4 for text-to-image generation. You can use image references.
• The free plan comes with only three video editor projects and no Gen-4 video generation.
• The assigned asset storage for the free plan is 5GB.
• The free version allows you to create AI videos of up to 720p resolution — great for testing and personal use.
• All exports are watermarked.

Who It’s For:

• Individuals exploring AI video generators.
• Creators wanting to generate experimental clips.
• Beginner-level video creators exploring content creation.

Limitations:

• No high-resolution or 4K upscaling feature.
• Limited AI generation credits.
• No features for collaboration.

To answer the question: yes, Runway AI is availble for free — but with limited access and features.

Runway AI Pricing: Paid Plans Overview

Runway AI Standard Plan

The standard plan is one of the most affordable plans in Runway AI pricing models.

Key Features of the Standard Plan:

• It costs around $12/user/month and is billed annually at $144
• It includes 625 monthly credits that are refreshed every month.
• The standard plan unlocks access to all Runway AI apps and AI workflows.
• It comes with more generative video features, including access to Runway Aleph for video editing, Gen-4 for image-to-video generation, and Act Two for performance capture.
• With the standard plan, you can upscale the video resolution and have unlimited video editor projects.
• The exported videos are watermark-free.
• The assigned asset storage for the standard plan is 100GB.

Who It’s For:

• Creators and freelancers generating content on a regular basis.
• Marketers and branding professionals are experimenting with product demos and campaign assets.
• YouTubers exploring AI video tool for explainer or short-form videos.

Limitations:

• A maximum of 5 users can access the workspace.
• Credits can run out quickly before the monthly refresh.

Runway AI Pro Plan

Runway AI pro plan targets professional users and offers additional advanced tools.

Key Features of the Pro Plan:

• The pro plan costs around $28/user/month and is billed annually at $336.
• It includes 2250 monthly credits that are refilled monthly.
• Pro plan allows you to create and export videos in $k resolution, making it ideal for filmmakers and business professionals.
• The exported videos are watermark-free.
• The pro plan users get priority rendering and faster processing, even when the queue time and demands are higher.
• With pro plan, you can generate videos with custom voices with accurate lip syncing.
• The assigned asset storage for pro plan is 500GB.

Who It’s For:

• Professional filmmakers looking to create cinematic trailers or teasers.
• Video editors looking for precision editing and regular video generation.
• Video creation and editing teams working on branded videos, campaigns, and social media content.

Limitations:

• A maximum of 10 users can access the workspace.
• Higher resolution exports can take more time.

Runway AI Unlimited Plan

The unlimited plan is a variation of pro plan, including all the features of pro plan.

Key Features:

• It costs around $76/user/month and is billed annually at $912.
• It offers 2250 monthly credits that are refreshed monthly.
• The unlimited plan has explore mode and allows for unlimited video generation at a relaxed rate.
• You can access Runway Aleph for video editing, Gen-4 Turbo and Gen-4 for video generation, Act Two, and Gen-3 Alpha Turbo.
• Watermark-free exports.

Who It’s For:

• Professional filmmakers looking to create cinematic trailers or teasers.
• Video editors looking for precision editing and regular video generation.
• Video creation and editing teams working on branded videos, campaigns, and social media content.

Limitations:

• A maximum of 10 users can access the workspace.
• The videos are generated at a slower pace and are placed in lower-priority queues.

Runway AI Enterprise Plan

The enterprise plan makes Runway AI an ideal tool for bigger organizations and more complex tasks.

Key Features:

• It comes with custom pricing and custom credits.
• With an enterprise plan, you can access all the features and tools offered on the platform.
• It allows you to organize and store multiple assets and team spaces.
• Enterprise plan comes with advanced security and asset protection.
• It includes priority support, and the submitted job gets faster rendering and processing, with no wait or queue delays.
• The exported videos are watermark-free and of 4K quality.

Who It’s For:

• Large marketing and advertising agencies.
• Filmmaking studios and production houses.
• Creative teams looking for large-scale AI video generation and content libraries.

Runway AI Pricing Comparison: Free vs Paid Plans

Runway AI: Credit Consumption

Credits offered in monthly plans expire on the billing date, with no roll over. However, purchased credits have no expiration date, along with the initial one-time credits offered on free access.

Runway AI Video Generation:

• Gen-4 Aleph: 15 credits per second.
• Gen-4 Video: 12 credits per second.
• Gen-4 Video Turbo: 5 credits per second.
• Act-Two (3-second clip): 5 credits per second.
• Veo 3 or Veo 3.1 with audio: 40 credits per second.
• Gen-3 Alpha Video: 10 credits per second.
• Gen-3 Alpha Video Turbo: 5 credits per second.

Runway AI Image Generation:

• Gen-4 Image (1080p): 8 credits per image.
• Gen-4 Image (720p): 5 credits per image.
• Gen-4 Image Turbo (1080p or 720p): 2 credits per image.
• Flash 2.5 Image: 5 credits per image.

Runway AI Audio Generation:

• Text to Speech: 1 credit per 50 characters.
• Speech to Speech: 1 credit per 3 seconds.

Post Processing:

• 4K Upscaling: 2 credits per second.

Final Thoughts

Runway ML remains one of the user-favorite AI video and image generators, even after the release of Google and OpenAI’s latest models. Use free access to explore the platform’s potential to the fullest, or log in to ImagineArt AI video generator, where Runway Gen-4 Turbo consumes 150 credits per 5-second video generation.