Runway vs Lumen5
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Runway has the lower starting price: about $15 a month, against $29 for Lumen5.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Gen-4.5 video model
- Aleph video-to-video editing
- Image-to-video
- 4K upscaling
- Developer API
- Blog to video
- Brand kits
- AI voiceover
- Multilingual captions
- Social publishing
| Feature | Runway | Lumen5 |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | AI video generation and editing suite for filmmakers and studios | Turn blog posts and text into branded social videos |
| Category | Video | Video |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $15/mo | $29/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Runway AI | Lumen5 |
| Based in | United States | Canada |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
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Pricing compared
Runway has the lower starting price: about $15 a month, against $29 for Lumen5.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Free
Free
- 125 one-time credits
- Selection of generative models
- 5 GB asset storage
Standard
$15/mo
- 625 credits / month
- All AI video and image models
- App Studio
Pro
$35/mo
- 2,250 credits / month
- All AI video and image models
Max
$95/mo
- 9,500 credits / month
- Credits roll over 1 month
- Early access to new models
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Team and enterprise plans
- Custom usage and security
5 plans
Community
Free
- Watermarked videos
- 720p export
Basic
$29/mo
- No Lumen5 watermark
- 1080p export
Starter
$79/mo
- Brand kit
- Premium stock media
Professional
$199/mo
- Multiple brand kits
- Custom fonts and watermarks
Enterprise
Custom
- Custom templates
- Dedicated support
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Runway
- High-quality cinematic output
- Edits real footage, not just generation
- Mature web editor and API
- Standard plan covers under a minute of video
- Free credits are one-time only
Lumen5
- Fast article-to-video workflow
- Strong brand controls
- Easy for marketers
- No 4K output
- Extra seats need the Team plan
Which one should you choose?
Choose Runway if you want:
- High-quality cinematic output
- Edits real footage, not just generation
- Mature web editor and API
Watch out: standard plan covers under a minute of video.
Choose Lumen5 if you want:
- Fast article-to-video workflow
- Strong brand controls
- Easy for marketers
Watch out: no 4k output.
Runway vs Lumen5 FAQ
What is the difference between Runway and Lumen5?
Runway: AI video generation and editing suite for filmmakers and studios. Lumen5: Turn blog posts and text into branded social videos. Both are video tools.
Is Runway or Lumen5 cheaper?
Runway has the lower starting price: about $15 a month, against $29 for Lumen5.
Do Runway and Lumen5 have free plans?
Runway: Yes. Lumen5: Yes.
Who makes Runway?
Runway is made by Runway AI, based in United States.
Who makes Lumen5?
Lumen5 is made by Lumen5, based in Canada.
Which should I choose, Runway or Lumen5?
Choose Runway if you value high-quality cinematic output and edits real footage, not just generation. Choose Lumen5 if you value fast article-to-video workflow and strong brand controls.