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Software · head to head

Runway vs Subframe

Runway logo

Runway

Software

AI-powered creative tools for video and images

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Subframe

Software

The AI-native design tool built for code

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Runway the free tier is 125 one-time credits rather than a monthly allowance, so it runs out and does not refill; Subframe the free plan is capped at 1 project, 10 pages, and 2 prototypes with limited AI usage and only 24 hour version history, versus unlimited AI on the $29 per editor per month Pro plan, as of August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Runway and Subframe actually diverge.

Attributes where Runway and Subframe differ
AttributeRunwaySubframe
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Founded2018Unknown

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

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 Runway

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

Only in Subframe

Nothing recorded that Runway does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Runway

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

Subframe

No use cases recorded yet. See the Subframe review.

Where each one falls short

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

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

Subframe

  • The free plan is capped at 1 project, 10 pages, and 2 prototypes with limited AI usage and only 24 hour version history, versus unlimited AI on the $29 per editor per month Pro plan, as of August 2026.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Subframe

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Subframe review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Runway if

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

Choose Subframe if

  • You want to start without paying.
Subframe review

Questions people ask

Is Runway or Subframe better?
Neither clearly leads. Runway starts at Free and Subframe at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Runway or Subframe?
Runway starts at Free and Subframe at Free.
Does Runway or Subframe run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Runway for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Runway best used for?
Runway is most often used for generating video clips from text or image prompts, extending or editing existing footage with generative models, removing objects and backgrounds from video, storyboarding and previsualisation for production. Of those, generating video clips from text or image prompts and extending or editing existing footage with generative models are not what Subframe is typically brought in for.
What can Runway do that Subframe cannot?
Runway covers Gen-2 video generation, Green screen, Inpainting, Super resolution.
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