Softwr

AI Tools · head to head

HeyGen vs Runway

HeyGen logo

HeyGen

AI Tools

AI video generation with realistic avatars

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Runway logo

Runway

Social Media & Content

AI-powered creative tools for video and images

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: HeyGen avatar movements feel unnatural in longer videos and repetitive with limited emotional expression, appearing stiff and robotic after 60 seconds; Runway the free tier is 125 one-time credits rather than a monthly allowance, so it runs out and does not refill
  • They diverge on capability: HeyGen covers AI avatars, Runway covers Gen-2 video generation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HeyGen and Runway actually diverge.

Attributes where HeyGen and Runway differ
AttributeHeyGenRunway
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
CategoryAI ToolsSocial Media & Content
Founded20202018

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in HeyGen

  • AI avatars
  • Text-to-video
  • Voice cloning
  • Video translation
  • Zapier
  • CRM integrations
  • Api support

Only in Runway

  • Gen-2 video generation
  • Green screen
  • Inpainting
  • Super resolution
  • Motion tracking
  • Adobe Premiere
  • Final Cut Pro
  • SOC 2 compliant

Both cover

  • API access
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

HeyGen

  • ai tools managementnot Runway
  • Workflow automationnot Runway
  • Reportingnot Runway

Runway

  • Generating video clips from text or image promptsnot HeyGen
  • Extending or editing existing footage with generative modelsnot HeyGen
  • Removing objects and backgrounds from videonot HeyGen
  • Storyboarding and previsualisation for productionnot HeyGen

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

HeyGen

  • Avatar movements feel unnatural in longer videos and repetitive with limited emotional expression, appearing stiff and robotic after 60 seconds
  • Cannot reliably choreograph natural interactions like walking through a room, using devices, or drinking from objects
  • Billing gap between marketed unlimited plans and actual credit consumption is highest complaint with lost credits on failed renders
  • Inconsistent lip sync and voice quality with slow processing and occasional moderation blocks without explanation
  • Customer support described as non-existent with no way to complain or reach a human representative

Runway

  • The free tier is 125 one-time credits rather than a monthly allowance, so it runs out and does not refill
  • Outputs carry a watermark until the Standard plan at $12 a month
  • Everything is metered in credits, and Gen-4.5 video costs 60 credits per 5 seconds, so a Standard plan covers roughly 125 short videos a year
  • Only the Max plan at $76 a month rolls unused credits over, and only for one month
  • The free tier gives a selection of models rather than the full set

Pricing, plan by plan

HeyGen

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 videos
    • With watermark
  • Creator$29/month
    • Unlimited videos
    • 200 monthly credits
  • Pro$99/month
    • 2,000 credits
    • Advanced features

Runway

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 125 credits
    • Basic tools
    • 720p exports
  • Standard$12/month
    • 625 credits/month
    • Gen-2 access
    • 4K exports
  • Pro$28/month
    • 2250 credits/month
    • All tools
    • Priority processing
  • Unlimited$76/month
    • Unlimited generations
    • Custom models
    • API access

Which should you pick?

Choose HeyGen if

  • You need ai avatars.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want text-to-video.
HeyGen review

Choose Runway if

  • You need gen-2 video generation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want green screen.
Runway review

Questions people ask

Is HeyGen or Runway better?
Neither clearly leads. HeyGen starts at Free and Runway at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HeyGen or Runway?
HeyGen starts at Free and Runway at Free.
Does HeyGen or Runway run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use HeyGen for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is HeyGen best used for?
HeyGen is most often used for ai tools management, workflow automation, reporting. Of those, ai tools management and workflow automation are not what Runway is typically brought in for.
What can HeyGen do that Runway cannot?
HeyGen covers AI avatars, Text-to-video, Voice cloning, Video translation. Runway covers Gen-2 video generation, Green screen, Inpainting, Super resolution. Both handle API access, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HeyGen: What are HeyGen's pricing plans?

HeyGen offers Free ($0, 3 videos/month with watermark), Creator ($29/month, unlimited videos + 200 monthly credits), Pro ($99/month, more credits), Business ($149/month + $20/seat, 4K rendering), and custom Enterprise pricing.

Source
HeyGen: How does HeyGen's credit system work?

HeyGen uses a credit-based system where Avatar IV video costs 20 credits per minute, video translation costs 5-10 credits per minute. Creator includes 200 credits/month, Pro includes 2,000 credits/month, and Business shares 1,000 credits across the workspace.

Source
HeyGen: What is Digital Twin and how much does it cost?

Digital Twin creates a custom avatar from 2 minutes of recorded footage. Additional avatar slots beyond the default cost $29/month each.

Source
HeyGen: How many languages can HeyGen translate videos into?

HeyGen can translate videos into 175+ languages with AI lip sync, making it useful for global content distribution and localization.

Source
HeyGen: What do users say about HeyGen's ratings?

HeyGen has 4.8/5 on G2 across more than 1,000 reviews and 4.7/5 on Capterra across 313 verified reviews as of June 2026, with avatar quality scoring 9.2/10.

ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on HeyGen

More on Runway

Keep looking

Other head to heads