HeyGen vs Runway
Side-by-side comparison based on published specifications.
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI Video | AI Video |
| Starting Price | $24/mo | $0/mo |
| Plans Available | 2 plans | 3 plans |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Active Deals | 1 deal | 1 deal |
| Cheapest Plan | Creator — $24/mo | Free — $0/mo |
| Max Credits/Minutes | 30 minutes | 2,250 credits |
| Best For | Marketing teams, training departments, and businesses creating explainer videos, product demos, and corporate communication. Best for organizations that need scalable, professional avatar video production. | Professional filmmakers, content creators, and agencies requiring cinematic-quality AI video output with granular creative control. Best for users who prioritize quality over budget and need advanced motion and camera controls. |
Features
HeyGen
- AI Avatar Videos — Create professional videos with realistic AI avatars
- Lip-Sync Accuracy — Precise synchronization between audio and avatar mouth movements
- Template Library — Pre-built templates for marketing, training, and communication
- Multi-Language Support — Generate videos in multiple languages with natural pronunciation
- Custom Backgrounds — Choose from library or upload custom backgrounds
- Script Editor — Built-in editor for writing and refining video scripts
Runway
- Gen-4 Model — Latest generation with improved realism, motion quality, and prompt adherence
- Gen-3 Alpha — Previous generation model, still available for legacy workflows
- Motion Brushes — Paint specific areas to control movement direction and speed
- Camera Controls — Pan, zoom, tilt, and rotate with precise keyframe control
- Style Transfer — Apply visual styles from reference images to your videos
- Video-to-Video — Transform existing footage with AI effects and styles
Limitations
HeyGen
- Avatar-Focused — Specialized in avatar videos, not general video generation
- Higher Cost Per Minute — More expensive than general video generators for equivalent output
- Limited Creative Flexibility — Less suitable for experimental or artistic content
- Avatar Customization — Custom avatars require enterprise plan
- Learning Curve — More complex than simple text-to-video tools
Runway
- Limited Free Tier — 125 one-time credits, then paid plans required
- Credit System Complexity — Calculating credit costs for different resolutions and durations requires learning
- Watermark on Standard — Lower-tier plans include visible watermarks
- Generation Time — High-quality outputs can take 1-5 minutes to render
- Learning Curve — Advanced features require time to master
Pricing Plans
HeyGen
Creator
15 minutes
$24/mo
Business
30 minutes
$120/mo
Runway
Free
125 credits
$0/mo
Standard
625 credits
$15/mo
Pro
2,250 credits
$28/mo
Current Deals
HeyGen
HeyGen: 14-day free trial
Try HeyGen Creator plan free for 14 days. No credit card required.
$24Free
Runway
Save 30% on Runway annual plan
Get 30% off when you subscribe to Runway's annual Standard plan.
$180$126