Synthesia vs Runway: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Synthesia 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:
Synthesia
Create videos with AI avatars instead of filming yourself
Best for you if:
- • AI video platform creating talking-head videos with 240+ avatars in 140+ languages.
- • Features custom avatar creation, voice cloning, and enterprise Video Agents for conversations.
Runway
AI creative tools for video
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.9/10 vs 8.3/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • 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 |  Synthesia |  Runway |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Video Editing | Video Editing |
Rating | 83/100 | 89/100 |
| Feature | Synthesia | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 83 | 89 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Video EditingAI Video Generation | Video EditingAnimation |
How Synthesia and Runway Compare
Synthesia
Create videos with AI avatars instead of filming yourself
Paid · 83/100 score
Runway
AI creative tools for video
Free tier available · 89/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Runway has a free tier. Synthesia is paid only.
Go with: Runway
Want the highest-rated option?
Synthesia: 83/100. 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?
Synthesia is paid. Runway is freemium. Runway lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are video editing tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Runway scores higher: 89/100 vs 83/100.
Key Takeaways
Runway
- Higher score: 89/100 vs 83
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Synthesia
The Bottom Line
Runway (89/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Synthesia or Runway better?
Runway scores 89/100 in our evaluation. Synthesia is paid and Runway is freemium.
What are Synthesia and Runway used for?
Synthesia: Create videos with AI avatars instead of filming yourself. Runway: AI creative tools for video.
What does Synthesia cost vs Runway?
Synthesia is a paid tool. Runway is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.