Runway vs Synthesia
Honest side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, and which fits which use case.
Choosing between Runway and Synthesia? Both compete in the ai image space, and they overlap significantly on the core feature set. The real differences come down to pricing tier, specific integrations, and which sub-workflow each tool is optimised for. Below: the full spec table, feature-by-feature breakdown, and a verdict on which to pick.
Still undecided? Our editorial pick in this category is ElevenLabs — generate ultra-realistic ai voices.
| Runway | Synthesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Generative video AI for creators | Create studio-quality videos with AI avatars |
| Pricing | Free 125 credits, Standard $15/mo, Pro $35/mo, Unlimited $95/mo | Starter $29/mo, Creator $89/mo, Enterprise custom |
| Starts at | $15/mo | $29/mo |
| Categories | AI Image, AI Video | AI Avatars, AI Video |
| Company | Runway | Synthesia |
Runway features
- Gen-3 text-to-video
- Green screen
- Image-to-video
- Motion brush
- VFX tools
Synthesia features
- 140+ AI avatars
- 140+ languages
- API
- Custom avatars
- Screen recording
👍 Runway pros
- Industry leader in generative video
- Strong feature depth
- Used by professionals
👎 Cons
- Credits run out fast
- Generation quality inconsistent
- Lower commission tier
👍 Synthesia pros
- 25% recurring commission
- No filming needed
- Studio-quality avatars
- Wide language support
👎 Cons
- Avatars still feel slightly artificial
- Expensive starter tier
- Limited to talking-head format
Which to choose: Runway or Synthesia?
Pick Runway if budget matters and you want the cheaper entry point. you need generative video ai for creators.
Pick Synthesia if you need create studio-quality videos with ai avatars.
When the choice is too close to call, the deciding factor is usually integrations — pick the one that plugs into your current tools with the least friction.