Pick Runway if…
you're producing finished work and need lip sync, custom voices, 4K output and an editor in one place.
Runway is a full video studio built for filmmakers; Kling is a fast-iterating model from Kuaishou with a cheaper entry plan and generous mid-tier credit pools. Which matters more depends on whether you edit or just generate.
Pick Kling AI ($10/mo) if you want a lower entry price, commercial rights from the first paid plan and frequent model upgrades. Pick Runway ($15/mo) if you need camera control, lip sync, 4K and an editor around the model.
| App | Free tier | Paid from | Top plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runway | Yes | $15/mo | $95/mo | Professional and semi-pro video creators who need camera control, lip sync, and 4K output |
| Kling AI | Yes | $10/mo | $180/mo | Budget-conscious creators who want frequent model upgrades and generous mid-tier credit pools |
Monthly prices in US dollars before tax, from each vendor's official pricing (US list price; weekly-billed plans converted to a monthly figure). Updated October 7, 2026
| Runway | Kling AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Pro and semi-pro video creators | Budget-conscious creators |
| Free tier | 125 one-time credits | ~66 credits/day, 720p, watermarked, non-commercial |
| Entry plan | 625 credits/mo, 4K upscaling, no watermark | 660 credits/mo, 1080p, commercial use |
| Unused credits | Roll over 1 month on Max | Expire monthly, no rollover |
you're producing finished work and need lip sync, custom voices, 4K output and an editor in one place.
you mostly generate clips and want a cheaper plan with commercial rights, with native audio on Pro.
Kling's paid plans run a discounted first month and a lower renewal rate than the list price shown here; check what you'll pay from month two. English-language support and community are also thinner than Runway's.
At the entry tier, yes — $10/mo vs $15/mo — and Kling's Standard plan includes commercial use rights.
No. Kling's free tier is non-commercial, watermarked and capped at 720p, 5-second clips. Commercial rights start on Standard.
Only 125 one-time credits, not a monthly allowance. Kling's free credits refresh daily but expire within 24 hours.
How we choose: prices come from each vendor's official pricing page and are re-checked every week. We take no affiliate fees, so rankings aren't for sale.