Synthesia
AI video creation with realistic avatars
Runway
AI creative suite for video generation and editing
Synthesia vs Runway
A detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the best video AI tool for your needs in 2026.
Quick Verdict
$22 - custom enterprise
Runway edges ahead with a 4.4/5 rating compared to Synthesia's 4.2/5. However, Synthesia may still be the better choice depending on your specific requirements.
$0 - $76/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Synthesia | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| 160+ AI avatars | Yes | No |
| 140+ languages | Yes | No |
| Custom avatar creation | Yes | No |
| Text-to-speech voiceover | Yes | No |
| Screen recording | Yes | No |
| Templates | Yes | No |
| Brand kit | Yes | No |
| API for video generation | Yes | No |
| Text-to-video (Gen-3) | No | Yes |
| Image-to-video | No | Yes |
| Video-to-video | No | Yes |
| Motion brush | No | Yes |
| Inpainting | No | Yes |
| Background removal | No | Yes |
| Green screen | No | Yes |
| Frame interpolation | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Synthesia
AI video creation with realistic avatars
1 free demo video
Runway
AI creative suite for video generation and editing
125 credits (limited generation)
Pros & Cons
Synthesia Pros
- Professional-quality avatar videos
- No production equipment needed
- Excellent for corporate training
- Wide language support
Synthesia Cons
- Avatars can feel uncanny
- Limited creative flexibility
- Custom avatars are expensive
- Not suitable for all content types
Runway Pros
- Best-in-class video generation quality
- Comprehensive creative AI suite
- Good for professional workflows
- Active development and updates
Runway Cons
- Expensive for heavy usage
- Generation credits run out quickly
- Output length is limited (5-10 seconds)
- Can have artifacts in generated video
Which One Is Right for You?
Who Should Choose Synthesia?
AI video creation with realistic avatars
- Users who want a free tier to get started
- Professionals and small-to-medium teams
- Power users who need a comprehensive feature set
- Users who need versatility across multiple use cases
Who Should Choose Runway?
AI creative suite for video generation and editing
- Users who want a free tier to get started
- Budget-conscious individuals and small teams
- Power users who need a comprehensive feature set
- Users who need versatility across multiple use cases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Synthesia better than Runway?
It depends on your needs. Synthesia (rated 4.2/5) excels at professional-quality avatar videos, while Runway (rated 4.4/5) is known for best-in-class video generation quality. Both are strong video tools with different strengths.
Which is cheaper, Synthesia or Runway?
Synthesia pricing is $22 - custom enterprise (free tier available). Runway pricing is $0 - $76/mo (free tier available). Both offer free tiers to get started.
Can I use Synthesia and Runway together?
Yes, many users combine Synthesia and Runway for different tasks. Synthesia may be better for some video workflows while Runway excels at others. Using both can give you the best of each tool's strengths.
What are the main differences between Synthesia and Runway?
Key differences include: Synthesia offers 160+ AI avatars and 140+ languages, while Runway provides Text-to-video (Gen-3) and Image-to-video. Synthesia is priced at $22 - custom enterprise and Runway at $0 - $76/mo.
Which has better features, Synthesia or Runway?
Synthesia offers 8 features including 160+ AI avatars and 140+ languages. Runway offers 8 features including Text-to-video (Gen-3) and Image-to-video. The "better" feature set depends on which capabilities matter most for your use case.
Related Comparisons
People Also Compare
Explore more video AI tool comparisons and alternatives