Overview
Runway and Kling AI are both AI Video tools, but they take different approaches. Runway: Generative video editing and creation toolkit. Kling AI: Realistic AI video generation from text and images.
On a monthly-billing basis, Kling AI starts lower at $9.99/month, while Runway starts at $15/month. Runway offers a free plan, while Kling AI does not.
Platform support also differs. Runway: Web, iOS, API · Kling AI: Web, iOS, Android.
Which one fits depends on your workflow and budget. The table below lines up the verified facts, and the interactive comparison lets you put Runway, Kling AI, and any other tool side by side.
Side-by-side comparison
| Runway | Kling AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $15/month | $9.99/month |
| Free Plan | Yes | No |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Pricing Type | Freemium | Free Trial |
| Supported platforms | Web, iOS, API | Web, iOS, Android |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | No |
| Categories | AI Video | AI Video |
At a glance
Runway: strengths & weaknesses
Pros
- Broad toolkit beyond generation (editing, VFX tools)
- Frequent model updates (Gen-3, Gen-4, etc.)
- Free plan to try core features
Cons
- Credit-based usage can get expensive at higher volumes
- Learning curve for the full editing toolkit
Choose Runway if…
- you want to start on a free plan without paying
- you need it on API
- your use case matches: Video editing augmented with AI tools, Text/image-to-video generation, Green-screen and motion-tracking style VFX work
Choose Kling AI if…
- you want the lower verified starting price ($9.99/mo vs $15/mo)
- you want to test it with a free trial first
- you need it on Android
Alternatives worth considering
Other tools in the same category.
Google DeepMind's video generation model for high-quality, cinematic clips.
AI video generation platform for turning text and images into short clips.
Luma's fast text-and-image-to-video generation model.
MiniMax's AI video generation tool known for realistic motion.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Runway or Kling AI?
Kling AI has the lower verified starting price: $9.99/month vs $15/month on a monthly-billing basis. Higher tiers and annual billing differ — check each pricing page.
Do Runway and Kling AI have free plans?
Runway offers a free plan; Kling AI does not.
Do Runway and Kling AI offer free trials?
Kling AI offers a free trial; the other does not list one.
Which is better, Runway or Kling AI?
There's no single answer — it depends on your use case and budget. Compare the verified facts above, then open the interactive comparison to line Runway and Kling AI up with any other tools you're considering.
Can I use Runway and Kling AI together?
Yes — nothing stops you from using both, and many people combine tools for different tasks. Add Runway and Kling AI to the AI stack builder to see what the combination costs per month.
What platforms do Runway and Kling AI run on?
Runway: Web, iOS, API. Kling AI: Web, iOS, Android.
What are alternatives to Runway and Kling AI?
Popular alternatives include Google Veo, Pika, Luma Dream Machine, Hailuo AI, HeyGen — each has its own detail page on ToolScanner with verified pricing.
Where can I verify current pricing for Runway and Kling AI?
On each official website — providers change prices and plans at any time. ToolScanner shows the monthly-billing price as of our last verification, with the date on each tool's page.