Rive vs Runway: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Rive and Runway comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Rive
Interactive animations for apps and games
Best for you if:
- • You need animation features specifically
- • Rive is an animation tool for creating interactive graphics for apps and games
- • It builds real-time animations that respond to user input
Runway
AI creative tools for video
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.9/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • You need video editing features specifically
- • AI-powered video editing and generation with Gen-2 text-to-video
- • Industry-leading AI tools used in films like 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'
| At a Glance |  Rive |  Runway |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Animation | Video Editing |
Rating | 85/100 | 89/100 |
| Feature | Rive | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 89 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AnimationUI/UX Design | Video EditingAnimation |
How Rive and Runway Compare
Rive
Interactive animations for apps and games
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Runway
AI creative tools for video
Free tier available · 89/100 score
Rive is a animation tool. Runway is in video editing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Rive
Want the highest-rated option?
Rive: 85/100. Runway: 89/100.
Go with: Runway
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Runway
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Rive is a animation tool. Runway is in video editing. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Runway scores higher: 89/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Runway
- Higher score: 89/100 vs 85
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Rive
- Better fit for animation
The Bottom Line
Runway (89/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rive or Runway better?
Runway scores 89/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Rive and Runway used for?
Rive: Interactive animations for apps and games. Runway: AI creative tools for video.
What does Rive cost vs Runway?
Rive is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Runway is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.