HeyGen vs Runway: Which is Better in 2026?
At a Glance
Overall Scores
Overall
HeyGen
83
Runway
88
Quality
HeyGen
82
Runway
90
Ease of Use
HeyGen
90
Runway
82
Value
HeyGen
78
Runway
75
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HeyGen | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| Text To Video | ||
| Image To Video | ||
| Video To Video | ||
| Motion Brush | ||
| Background Removal | ||
| Green Screen | ||
| Inpainting | ||
| Upscaling | ||
| Audio Sync | ||
| Lip Sync | ||
| API Access | ||
| Custom Training |
Specifications
| Spec | HeyGen | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| Max Video Length | 30 min per video (Business) | 16 seconds per generation (Gen-3 Alpha) |
| Max Resolution | 1080p | 1080p native, 4K with upscaling |
| Generation Speed | ~2-5 minutes per minute of video | ~60-120 seconds per clip |
| Model Version | HeyGen Avatar V5 | Gen-3 Alpha, Gen-2 (legacy) |
| Fps | 30 fps | 24 fps |
| Export Formats | MP4, SRT (subtitles) | MP4, GIF, PNG sequence |
Pricing Comparison
Pros & Cons
What Reddit Says
HeyGen
70% positiveHeyGen is highly praised in business and marketing subreddits for avatar quality and localization capabilities. The uncanny valley issue is acknowledged but seen as rapidly improving. Most criticism targets pricing for heavy enterprise use.
Runway
74% positiveRunway is widely regarded as the industry leader for AI video. Filmmakers and advertisers praise Gen-3 Alpha's quality. The credit system and pricing are the main complaints — professional use burns through credits quickly.