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AI Tools · head to head

Leonardo AI vs Runway

Leonardo AI logo

Leonardo AI

AI Tools

AI-powered creative suite for image generation

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: Leonardo AI video generation trails specialized video tools like Pika, with no native timeline editing or motion interpolation; 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: Leonardo AI covers Text-to-image, Runway covers Gen-2 video generation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Leonardo AI and Runway actually diverge.

Attributes where Leonardo AI and Runway differ
AttributeLeonardo AIRunway
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb
CategoryAI ToolsSocial Media & Content
Founded20222018

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Leonardo AI

  • Text-to-image
  • Model training
  • Canvas editor
  • Motion generation
  • Photoshop plugin
  • 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.

Leonardo AI

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

Runway

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

Where each one falls short

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

Leonardo AI

  • Video generation trails specialized video tools like Pika, with no native timeline editing or motion interpolation
  • Credits consume rapidly for professional use, particularly at 4K resolution
  • Limited traditional image editing tools compared to desktop software
  • Image quality and consistency inconsistent compared to some competitors on certain prompt types
  • Advanced features requiring custom model training add complexity and cost

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

Leonardo AI

Free
  • Essential$12/month
    • 8,500 monthly tokens
    • Fine-tuned models
    • Image-to-image
  • Premium$30/month
    • Unlimited relaxed generation on Phoenix and Lucid Origin models
    • Faster generation speed
    • Advanced options
  • Ultimate$60/month
    • 60,000 monthly tokens
    • Maximum concurrent jobs
    • Highest priority generation queue

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 Leonardo AI if

  • You need text-to-image.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want model training.
Leonardo AI 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 Leonardo AI or Runway better?
Neither clearly leads. Leonardo AI 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, Leonardo AI or Runway?
Leonardo AI starts at Free and Runway at Free.
Does Leonardo AI or Runway run on more platforms?
Leonardo AI runs on Web, API. Runway runs on Web.
Can I use Leonardo AI for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Leonardo AI best used for?
Leonardo AI 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 Leonardo AI do that Runway cannot?
Leonardo AI covers Text-to-image, Model training, Canvas editor, Motion generation. Runway covers Gen-2 video generation, Green screen, Inpainting, Super resolution. Both handle API access, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Leonardo AI: Does Leonardo AI grant commercial rights to generated images?

Yes. All Leonardo AI plans grant full ownership and unrestricted commercial rights to generated images, allowing creators to sell AI-generated art and use outputs in commercial products.

Source
Leonardo AI: How does Leonardo's Real-Time Canvas work?

The Real-Time Canvas is a freeform workspace where images generate as you draw, type prompts, or add elements, updating the output approximately every 2 seconds per stroke, supporting inpainting, outpainting, and composite editing.

Source
Leonardo AI: What models does Leonardo AI offer beyond its own?

Leonardo API supports both in-house models (Phoenix, Lucid Origin, Lucid Realism) and third-party models including FLUX.1, Ideogram 3.0, GPT Image, Kling, Veo, and others under a unified pay-as-you-go API surface.

Source
Leonardo AI: What is included in the free tier?

The free plan provides 150 tokens per day enabling hundreds of images per month, but outputs are non-commercial only; paid plans starting at $12/month unlock commercial rights and higher token allocations.

Source
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