Runway vs Kling AI: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Runway and Kling AI 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:
Runway
AI creative tools for video
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.9/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • 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'
Kling AI
AI video generation by Kuaishou
Best for you if:
- • You need ai video generation features specifically
- • Kling AI is a text-to-video AI model that generates realistic video content
- • It creates high-quality videos from text descriptions with natural motion and consistency
| At a Glance |  Runway | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Video Editing | AI Video Generation |
Rating | 89/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Runway | Kling AI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 89 | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Video EditingAnimation | AI Video Generation |
How Runway and Kling AI Compare
Runway
AI creative tools for video
Free tier available · 89/100 score
Kling AI
AI video generation by Kuaishou
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Runway is a video editing tool. Kling AI is in ai video generation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Runway
Want the highest-rated option?
Runway: 89/100. Kling AI: 82/100.
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?
Runway is a video editing tool. Kling AI is in ai video generation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Runway scores higher: 89/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Runway
- Higher score: 89/100 vs 82
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Kling AI
- Better fit for ai video generation
The Bottom Line
Runway (89/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Runway or Kling AI better?
Runway scores 89/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Runway and Kling AI used for?
Runway: AI creative tools for video. Kling AI: AI video generation by Kuaishou.
What does Runway cost vs Kling AI?
Runway is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Kling AI is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.