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Film & TV · head to head

Maya vs Runway

Maya logo

Maya

Film & TV

3D animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software

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: Maya complex interface that requires significant training and experience; 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: Maya covers 3D modeling, Runway covers Gen-2 video generation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Maya and Runway actually diverge.

Attributes where Maya and Runway differ
AttributeMayaRunway
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWeb
CategoryFilm & TVSocial Media & Content
Founded19822018

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 Maya

  • 3D modeling
  • Character animation
  • Visual effects
  • Simulation
  • Rendering
  • Arnold renderer
  • Mental Ray
  • V-Ray

Only in Runway

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

What people use each for

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

Maya

  • Film productionnot Runway
  • Game developmentnot Runway
  • TV animationnot Runway
  • VFX creationnot Runway
  • Architectural visualizationnot Runway

Runway

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

Where each one falls short

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

Maya

  • Complex interface that requires significant training and experience
  • Software crashes and stability issues reported by users
  • Heavy system requirements and resource-intensive processing

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

Maya

Free
  • Monthly Subscription$245/month
    • Full features
  • Annual Subscription$1945/year
    • Full features
  • Indie License$305/year
    • Full features for revenue under $100k
  • Student LicenseFree
    • Free for 3 years (watermarked)

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 Maya if

  • You need 3d modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want character animation.
Maya 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 Maya or Runway better?
Neither clearly leads. Maya 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, Maya or Runway?
Maya starts at Free and Runway at Free.
Does Maya or Runway run on more platforms?
Maya runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Runway runs on Web.
Can I use Maya for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Maya best used for?
Maya is most often used for film production, game development, tv animation, vfx creation. Of those, film production and game development are not what Runway is typically brought in for.
What can Maya do that Runway cannot?
Maya covers 3D modeling, Character animation, Visual effects, Simulation. Runway covers Gen-2 video generation, Green screen, Inpainting, Super resolution.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Maya: What is the cost of an annual Maya subscription?

A standard annual Maya subscription costs $1,945 per year, with a monthly option at $245 per month. Indie users with revenue under $100k USD qualify for $305 per year. Educational licenses are free for 3 years but watermark output.

Source
Maya: Does Maya include rendering capabilities?

Yes. Maya includes Arnold, a high-quality rendering engine built into the software for producing photorealistic renders directly within Maya.

Source
Maya: What platforms does Maya run on?

Maya runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Maya 2027 supports Windows 11, macOS versions 26.x through 14.x, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux with Rocky Linux.

Source
Maya: Can students use Maya for free?

Yes. Maya is free for students at registered educational institutions. The license lasts 3 years but is non-commercial only and watermarks exported files.

Source
Maya: Does Maya integrate with other software?

Maya supports many plugins including ZooTools Pro for rigging, RealFlow for simulation, ngSkinTools for character skinning, and MASH for motion graphics, extending its capabilities for production workflows.

Source
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