Runway vs Kling AI

Runway is a multi-model production suite, while Kling AI is the direct interface for Kling's own video and motion tools. Both generate video from text or images and charge in credits.

When to pick which

Choose Runway when generation, editing, audio, 4K upscaling, and several models should share one production account. Kling 3.0 itself is available inside Runway, but credits, settings, and model access then follow Runway rather than a direct Kling subscription. Direct Kling access fits when Motion Control, multi-shot storyboards, avatars, native dialogue, and Kling's own image and video interface are central. Runway's Gen-4.5 creates 2-to-10-second clips at 720p for 12 credits per second; Kling 3.0 publishes up to 15 seconds, native audio, 1080p, and native 4K output. Runway starts with 125 one-time credits, while Kling Basic lists no monthly credit allowance. Runway Max and Team roll unused subscription credits over for one month; Kling subscription credits last one month and separately purchased credits last two years. Both can be automated: Runway offers MCP from Pro, while Kling has released MCP and CLI.

Differences at a glance

Runway bundles its own and third-party models, editing, audio, and upscaling. Kling focuses on video, image, avatar, and motion tools.
Gen-4.5: Runway lists 2 to 10 seconds, 720p, and 12 credits per second. Kling 3.0 lists up to 15 seconds plus 1080p and 4K.
Runway Free includes 125 one-time credits. Kling Basic publishes no monthly credit allowance.
Runway Max and Team roll unused subscription credits over for one month; purchased extras do not expire. Kling subscription credits last one month, separately purchased credits two years.
Runway adds video editing, audio, lip sync, voice cloning, and 4K upscaling by plan. Kling bundles Motion Control, multi-shot, native dialogue, and avatars.
Concrete use case: trying several models and then editing the clip fits Runway. Animating a character from a reference image or generating a multi-shot scene with dialogue fits Kling.

Criterion	Runway	Kling AI
Free access	One-off free allowance	Free plan
Paid from	Standard · $15 / $12month, monthly / annual billing	Standard · $8.80Month/year

Published plans by vendor

Each vendor separately. The same row does not mean the same plan. Prices follow the selected price region.

Runway

Free · freeOne-time
Standard · $15 / $12month, monthly / annual billing
Pro · $35 / $28month, monthly / annual billing
Max · $95 / $76month, monthly / annual billing
Team (monthly) · $69seat/month · Minimum 2, maximum 9 members; shared credit balance
Team (annual billing) · $55seat/month, billed annually · Minimum 2, maximum 9 members; shared credit balance
Enterprise · contact salesCustom