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AI · head to head

Poe vs Runway

Poe logo

Poe

AI

Chat platform that gives access to many AI models from one subscription

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Runway logo

Runway

Social Media

AI-powered creative tools for video and images

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Poe points-based pricing makes cost per message hard to predict across models.; 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: Poe covers Multi-model chat, Runway covers Gen-2 video generation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Poe and Runway actually diverge.

Attributes where Poe and Runway differ
AttributePoeRunway
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Platformsweb, ios, android, windows, macWeb
CategoryAISocial Media
Founded20092018

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 Poe

  • Multi-model chat
  • Custom bots
  • Image and video generation
  • Points-based usage
  • API access for bot creators

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.

Poe

  • Comparing responses across multiple AI modelsnot Runway
  • Building and sharing custom prompt-based botsnot Runway
  • Accessing premium models without separate subscriptionsnot Runway
  • Generating images or video from a chat interfacenot Runway

Runway

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

Where each one falls short

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

Poe

  • Points-based pricing makes cost per message hard to predict across models.
  • Heavy usage of top-tier models can exhaust points quickly on lower plans.
  • No native fine-tuning or persistent long-term memory across bots.
  • Custom bots are limited to prompt engineering rather than full agent tooling.

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

Poe

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited daily messages across select models
  • Starter$4.99/month
    • Monthly compute points
    • Access to premium models
  • Premium$19.99/month
    • Larger monthly point allowance
    • Priority access to premium models
  • Premium Plus$49.99/month
    • Higher point allowance for heavy usage

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 Poe if

  • You need multi-model chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, ios, android, windows, mac.
  • You also want custom bots.
Poe 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 Poe or Runway better?
Neither clearly leads. Poe 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, Poe or Runway?
Poe starts at Free and Runway at Free.
Does Poe or Runway run on more platforms?
Poe runs on web, ios, android, windows, mac. Runway runs on Web.
Can I use Poe for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Poe best used for?
Poe is most often used for comparing responses across multiple ai models, building and sharing custom prompt-based bots, accessing premium models without separate subscriptions, generating images or video from a chat interface. Of those, comparing responses across multiple ai models and building and sharing custom prompt-based bots are not what Runway is typically brought in for.
What can Poe do that Runway cannot?
Poe covers Multi-model chat, Custom bots, Image and video generation, Points-based usage. Runway covers Gen-2 video generation, Green screen, Inpainting, Super resolution.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Poe: How does Poe's pricing work?

Poe uses a monthly points system: each subscription tier grants a pool of compute points that are spent per message, with the amount depending on which underlying AI model is used.

Source
Runway: How much does Runway cost?

Runway publishes four tiers on annual billing: Standard at $12 per month, Pro at $28 and Max at $76, against monthly rates of $15, $35 and $95. Enterprise is quoted. Annual billing is advertised as 20% off.

Source
Poe: Is there a free plan on Poe?

Yes, Poe offers a free tier with limited daily messages across a selection of models before users need a paid subscription for more access.

Source
Runway: Does Runway have a free plan?

Yes. The free plan costs nothing and includes 125 one time credits to explore the AI tools, plus 5GB of asset storage. The credits are one time rather than monthly.

Source
Poe: What do the paid subscription tiers cost?

Poe offers Starter at $4.99/month, Premium at $19.99/month, and Premium Plus at $49.99/month, each granting a larger monthly pool of compute points.

Source
Runway: How many credits does each Runway plan include?

Standard includes 625 credits a month, Pro includes 2,250 and Max includes 9,500. Only Max offers credit rollover, and it rolls over for one month.

Source
Poe: What happens if I run out of points?

Once a subscription's monthly point allowance is exhausted, further use of premium models is limited until the points refresh or the user upgrades or purchases more.

Source
Runway: When do I need Runway Pro rather than Standard?

Pro adds custom voices for lip sync, raises storage to 500GB and gives access to the best models, on top of Standard's AI image and video models, 4K upscaling and watermark free output.

Source
Poe: Can developers build on Poe?

Yes, Poe lets creators build and publish custom bots, and developers can connect their own model endpoints as bots via Poe's API.

Source
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