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Runway vs VEGAS Pro

Runway logo

Runway

Social Media

AI-powered creative tools for video and images

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
VEGAS Pro logo

VEGAS Pro

Video Production

Professional timeline-based video editing software from Boris FX

From
$19.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Runway has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; VEGAS Pro windows-only, with no native macOS or Linux version.
  • They diverge on capability: Runway covers Gen-2 video generation, VEGAS Pro covers Timeline-based editing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Runway and VEGAS Pro actually diverge.

Attributes where Runway and VEGAS Pro differ
AttributeRunwayVEGAS Pro
Starting priceFree$19.99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebwindows
CategorySocial MediaVideo Production
Founded2018Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Runway

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

Only in VEGAS Pro

  • Timeline-based editing
  • Color grading tools
  • Audio mixing
  • Sound Forge integration
  • VFX and compositing (Post/Suite tiers)
  • Perpetual or subscription licensing

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 VEGAS Pro
  • Extending or editing existing footage with generative modelsnot VEGAS Pro
  • Removing objects and backgrounds from videonot VEGAS Pro
  • Storyboarding and previsualisation for productionnot VEGAS Pro

VEGAS Pro

  • Professional video editing on Windowsnot Runway
  • Color grading and finishing for video projectsnot Runway
  • Audio post-production paired with Sound Forgenot Runway
  • Long-form video editing needing perpetual licensingnot Runway

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

VEGAS Pro

  • Windows-only, with no native macOS or Linux version.
  • Subscription pricing across Edit/Post/Suite tiers can be more expensive than one-time-purchase competitors.
  • Smaller plugin/effects ecosystem compared to Adobe Premiere Pro.
  • Perpetual license versions can lag behind the latest subscription features.

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

VEGAS Pro

$19.99/month
  • VEGAS Pro Edit$19.99/month
    • Core non-linear editing
    • Color grading
    • Audio tools
  • VEGAS Pro Post$29.99/month
    • Everything in Edit
    • Advanced finishing and VFX tools
  • VEGAS Pro Suite$49.99/month
    • Everything in Post
    • Full VFX and compositing suite

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 VEGAS Pro if

  • You need timeline-based editing.
  • You work on windows.
  • You also want color grading tools.
VEGAS Pro review

Questions people ask

Is Runway or VEGAS Pro better?
Neither clearly leads. Runway starts at Free and VEGAS Pro at $19.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Runway or VEGAS Pro?
Runway has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Runway and $19.99/month for VEGAS Pro.
Does Runway or VEGAS Pro run on more platforms?
Runway runs on Web. VEGAS Pro runs on windows.
Can I use Runway for free?
Yes. Runway has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. VEGAS Pro starts at $19.99/month.
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 VEGAS Pro is typically brought in for.
What can Runway do that VEGAS Pro cannot?
Runway covers Gen-2 video generation, Green screen, Inpainting, Super resolution. VEGAS Pro covers Timeline-based editing, Color grading tools, Audio mixing, Sound Forge integration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
VEGAS Pro: What does VEGAS Pro cost?

VEGAS Pro offers three subscription tiers: Edit at $19.99/month, Post at $29.99/month, and Suite at $49.99/month, each bundling more finishing and plugin tools than the last.

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
VEGAS Pro: Is there a free trial of VEGAS Pro?

Yes, Boris FX offers a free trial of VEGAS Pro that does not require a credit card to start.

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
VEGAS Pro: Can I buy VEGAS Pro as a one-time purchase instead of a subscription?

Yes, VEGAS Pro is available as perpetual licenses priced at $399 (Edit), $599 (Post), and $799 (Suite), in addition to the monthly subscription tiers.

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
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