Text-based video and podcast editor with AI co-editor Underlord, Studio Sound, filler-word removal and clips.
Runway vs Synthesia
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Summary
Runway is best for professional generative video, video-to-video editing and VFX workflows, while Synthesia is best for corporate training and internal comms videos with AI presenters. Only Synthesia offers stock media library. Runway has a high learning curve, compared with low for Synthesia. Both Runway and Synthesia offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose Runway if…
- You need professional generative video, video-to-video editing and VFX workflows
- You're one of: filmmakers and vfx artists, creative agencies, ad and music video producers
- Wide toolset for editing and transforming existing footage
Choose Synthesia if…
- You need corporate training and internal comms videos with AI presenters
- Stock media library matters to you
- You're one of: l&d teams, hr and internal comms, enterprise localization teams
- You want something quicker to learn
At a glance
| Runway | Synthesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Professional generative video, video-to-video editing and VFX workflows | Corporate training and internal comms videos with AI presenters |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From $15/mo | From $29/mo |
| Learning curve | High | Low |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, API | Web, API |
| Ideal for | Filmmakers and VFX artists, Creative agencies, Ad and music video producers, Motion designers | L&D teams, HR and internal comms, Enterprise localization teams, Customer education |
Feature comparison
| Runway | Synthesia | |
|---|---|---|
| AI avatars / presenters | Limited | Yes |
| Generative text-to-video | Yes | Script-to-avatar video, not generative |
| Long-to-short clipping | No | No |
| Auto captions | — | Yes |
| Edit video by editing text | No | No |
| AI voiceover | Yes | Yes |
| Translation / dubbing | — | Yes |
| Max export resolution | 4K (upscaled) | 1080p |
| Stock media library | No | Yes |
IncludedLimited / higher plansNot available— Not confirmed
Security & enterprise
| Runway | Synthesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | Enterprise plan (OIDC) | Enterprise plan |
| SCIM user provisioning | No | Enterprise plan |
| SOC 2 | Type II | Type II |
| ISO 27001 | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA (BAA available) | — | — |
| GDPR DPA | — | Yes |
| Data residency options | — | EU |
| No training on your data | — | — |
| Audit logs | — | — |
| Admin controls | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
From each vendor's security documentation. "—" = not confirmed. What to ask vendors · Compare all tools
What each tool does
Runway
Runway is a generative media platform whose Gen-4.5 model creates video from text and images, while Aleph edits existing footage and Act-Two drives character performances from a reference video. It also includes image generation, text-to-speech, voice cloning, lip sync, 4K upscaling and access to some third-party models. Filmmakers, agencies and studios use it for concept work, VFX and ad production.
Key features- Gen-4.5 text-to-video and image-to-video
- Aleph video-to-video editing of real footage
- Act-Two performance capture for characters
- Lip sync, text-to-speech and voice cloning
- 4K upscaling; HDR and ProRes on the Max plan
- Developer API and iOS/Android apps
Synthesia
Synthesia is an AI video platform where users type a script, choose a stock or personal avatar and generate a presenter-led video in 160+ languages. It adds screen recording, templates, one-click translation, AI dubbing and, on higher plans, interactivity and SCORM export. Large enterprises use it mainly for training, onboarding and internal communications.
Key features- 240+ stock AI avatars and personal avatars
- Express-2 avatars with gestures and lip sync
- 160+ languages with one-click translation
- AI dubbing of existing videos
- Voice cloning
- Interactive videos, video agents and SCORM export
Pricing
Runway
Free plan (one-time 125 credits); Standard $15/mo ($12/mo annual)
Synthesia
Free Basic plan (up to 10 min video/mo); Starter $29/mo monthly or $18/mo billed yearly
Prices last checked September 2026. Plans change often — confirm on each vendor's site.
Pros and cons
Runway
Strengths- Wide toolset for editing and transforming existing footage
- No watermark and commercial use on paid plans
- Available on web, mobile and via API
- Studio-oriented outputs such as ProRes on top tier
- Credits are consumed quickly by video models
- Free plan offers only a small one-time credit allowance
- Video models do not generate native audio in the same pass
- No auto-captioning or long-to-short tools
Not ideal for: Creators who mainly need captions, talking-head edits or avatar presenters will find Descript, CapCut or HeyGen more practical.
Synthesia
Strengths- Mature enterprise security and compliance certifications
- Wide language coverage for localization
- Free plan to try the product
- Collaboration and API on the Creator plan
- Export limited to 1080p
- Brand kits and SCORM export only on Enterprise
- Credit and minute limits make long videos costly
- Free plan has a watermark and few avatars
Not ideal for: Social creators editing their own footage or chasing short-form trends will get more from an editor like CapCut, VEED or Captions.
Integrations
Runway
Synthesia
FAQ
What is the main difference between Runway and Synthesia?
Runway is built for professional generative video, video-to-video editing and VFX workflows; Synthesia is built for corporate training and internal comms videos with AI presenters. Key differences: Synthesia offers stock media library.
Is Runway or Synthesia cheaper?
Runway starts from $15/mo and Synthesia starts from $29/mo (as of September 2026). On entry price, Runway is cheaper — but compare what each plan includes, since limits differ. Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site.
Do Runway and Synthesia have free plans?
Both Runway and Synthesia offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, Runway or Synthesia?
Synthesia is generally quicker to learn (Runway: high, Synthesia: low learning curve).
What are good alternatives to Runway and Synthesia?
Other video tools worth comparing include Descript, InVideo AI and VEED.
