Runway vs Sora Pricing 2026
Complete pricing comparison between Runway and Sora. Find out which ai video generators tool is right for you.
Runway pricing ranges from $0–$95/month, while Sora ranges from $0–$200/month. Runway is typically 83% more affordable, though your actual cost depends on tier and team size.
The right choice between Runway and Sora depends on your specific requirements: team size, feature needs, and integration requirements all affect which option delivers better value.
See the tier-by-tier breakdown below to compare specific plans, or use our calculators to estimate costs: Runway calculator | Sora calculator
Runway and Sora represent two different approaches to AI video generation pricing. Runway offers a free tier and paid plans starting at $15/month (Standard) up to $35/month (Pro), making it accessible to individual creators on a budget. Sora, developed by OpenAI, is bundled with ChatGPT subscriptions -- available through ChatGPT Plus at $20/month or ChatGPT Pro at $200/month -- meaning you also get access to the full ChatGPT suite alongside video generation. The pricing gap is significant at the high end, with Sora's Pro tier costing nearly 6x more than Runway's.
Pricing Tier Comparison
| Tier | Runway | Sora |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free /month | $20 /month |
| Standard | $15 /month | $200 /month |
| Pro | $35 /month | — |
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Our Verdict
Choose Runway if you want a dedicated video generation platform with a free tier, lower price points starting at $15/month, and a full suite of video editing AI tools. Choose Sora if you already subscribe to ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) and want video generation as part of a broader AI toolkit, or if you need Sora's high-fidelity output and are willing to invest $200/month for ChatGPT Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is Runway cheaper than Sora?
Yes, Runway is significantly cheaper overall. Runway's paid plans range from $15/month to $35/month, while Sora requires a ChatGPT Plus subscription at $20/month (with limited video generation) or ChatGPT Pro at $200/month for full access. Runway also offers a free tier, whereas Sora does not have a standalone free option.
02 Which is better for professional video production?
Runway is more tailored for professional video production workflows, offering dedicated tools like motion brush, inpainting, and video-to-video editing at $35/month on the Pro plan. Sora produces impressive cinematic output but is accessed through the ChatGPT interface, which may feel less streamlined for video-focused workflows. For dedicated video work, Runway provides better value.
03 Can Runway replace Sora?
Runway can handle most AI video generation tasks that Sora offers, and at a lower price point. However, Sora's underlying model has shown strong capabilities in generating physically realistic scenes and longer-duration clips. If your primary need is video generation on a budget, Runway at $15-35/month is the more practical choice compared to Sora's $20-200/month bundled pricing.