What each tool does
Runway builds AI models designed to understand and simulate the physical world, and offers creative products on top of them focused on generative video. It helps creators and organisations make new kinds of visual content, partners with large organisations on industry projects, and lets you try it for free.
Synthesia is a business video platform where you write a script and a lifelike AI avatar presents it. It supports more than 160 languages, includes an AI assistant for creating videos, and lets you download finished files or upload them to an LMS or other video platforms. It is a paid tool with enterprise options.
Key differences
- Output type: Runway generates creative, cinematic-style footage; Synthesia produces talking-presenter videos from scripts.
- Audience: Runway serves filmmakers, creators and studios; Synthesia serves training, HR and communications teams.
- Languages: Synthesia highlights 160+ languages for presenter videos; Runway is not built around narration.
- Pricing: Runway is freemium; Synthesia is paid. Check each pricing page for current plans.
- Workflow: Synthesia fits corporate learning systems with LMS export; Runway fits creative production.
Which should you choose?
Choose Runway if you want to create visual stories, music videos, ads or experimental clips and prefer to start on a free plan.
Choose Synthesia if you need consistent training, onboarding or internal update videos without cameras or actors, especially if your audience speaks several languages. It is a business purchase, so your company will likely pay by card in USD.
Can you use both?
Yes, for companies producing polished learning content. Synthesia can deliver the presenter segments, while Runway can generate B-roll or visual scenes to make the training videos more engaging.
