Runway Gen-4 vs HeyGen: The Complete Comparison
Which video generation tool is right for you? A detailed side-by-side analysis of features, pricing, and performance.
Runway Gen-4 wins for most users due to its free tier and industry-leading character consistency across video clips. Choose Runway Gen-4 if you need Professional filmmakers and video producers. Choose HeyGen for Video translation.
- Price: Runway Gen-4 starts at Free, HeyGen at Free
- Free tier: Both offer free tiers
- Best for: Runway Gen-4 → Professional filmmakers and video producers | HeyGen → Video translation
- Features: 23+ features across 7 categories
- Our pick: Runway Gen-4 for budget-conscious users
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Runway Gen-4 | HeyGen |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Runway | HeyGen |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| API Access | Yes | Yes |
| Web App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Professional filmmakers and video producers | Video translation |
What Are We Comparing?
Runway Gen-4
Generate professional AI videos with Runway Gen-4's advanced text-to-video and image-to-video capabilities. Create consistent characters, 4K resolution outputs, and cinema-quality video clips up to 16 seconds.
Runway Gen-4 represents the cutting-edge of AI video generation technology, released in April 2025 with revolutionary capabilities for creating professional-grade video content. The platform transforms text prompts and images into high-fidelity, photorealistic videos with exceptional character consistency, advanced motion control, and 4K resolution output. Gen-4 excels at maintaining coherent storytelling across multiple scenes with consistent characters and objects, making it ideal for narrative-driven projects. Designed for creative professionals and filmmakers, Runway Gen-4 offers advanced editing tools including Aleph for video transformation and Act-Two for character performance capture. The platform generates 5-16 second video clips with cinematic quality, featuring fluid motion, temporal consistency, and detailed visual fidelity. While generation times average 6-7 minutes, the results deliver Hollywood-proven quality suitable for commercial productions, advertisements, and professional content creation workflows.
HeyGen
AI video platform for avatar-based videos with strong dubbing and localization features.
HeyGen creates AI avatar videos with a focus on localization and dubbing. Its viral video translation feature can dub videos into other languages while matching lip movements, making it popular for global content.
Runway Gen-4 vs HeyGen Pricing
Here's how the pricing compares between both tools:
Runway Gen-4
Free Tier AvailableHeyGen
Free Tier AvailableFeatures Comparison
Runway Gen-4 Features
- ✓ Web App
- ✓ Upscaling
- ✓ Api Access
- ✓ Inpainting
- ✓ Mobile App
- ✓ Green Screen
- ✓ Motion Brush
- ✓ Text To Video
- ✓ Image To Video
- ✓ Style Transfer
- ✓ Video To Video
HeyGen Features
- ✓ Web App
- ✓ Lip Sync
- ✓ Templates
- ✓ Ai Avatars
- ✓ Api Access
- ✓ Mobile App
- ✓ Custom Avatars
- ✓ Multi Language
- ✓ Text To Speech
- ✓ Video Translation
Pros and Cons
Runway Gen-4
Pros
- Industry-leading character consistency across video clips
- 4K resolution output with cinema-quality results
- Advanced editing capabilities with Aleph and Act-Two tools
- 16-second maximum duration longer than competitors
- Hollywood-proven technology used in professional productions
- Exceptional motion control and temporal consistency
Cons
- Slower generation times averaging 6-7 minutes
- Credit-based system can be expensive for heavy usage
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
HeyGen
Pros
- Excellent video translation
- Realistic lip sync
- Good avatar selection
- Fast turnaround
Cons
- Credit system confusing
- Can look uncanny
- Limited customization
- Watermark on free tier
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Choose Runway Gen-4 if you need:
- Professional filmmakers and video producers
- Content creators needing character consistency
- Advertising agencies creating commercial content
- Creative professionals in post-production workflows
- Narrative storytellers and animation studios
Choose HeyGen if you need:
- Video translation
- Global marketing
- Social media
- Sales videos
Final Verdict: Runway Gen-4 vs HeyGen
🏆 Winner: Runway Gen-4
After comparing all aspects, Runway Gen-4 comes out slightly ahead for most users. The free tier makes it easy to get started without commitment. Key strength: Industry-leading character consistency across video clips.
Bottom line: Use Runway Gen-4 for Professional filmmakers and video producers. Use HeyGen for Video translation. Both are excellent video generation tools in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Runway Gen-4 and HeyGen?
Runway Gen-4 is generate professional ai videos with runway gen-4's advanced text-to-video and image-to-video capabilities. create consistent characters, 4k resolution outputs, and cinema-quality video clips up to 16 seconds. HeyGen is ai video platform for avatar-based videos with strong dubbing and localization features. The main differences are in pricing (Free vs Free), target users, and specific features offered.
Which is better: Runway Gen-4 or HeyGen?
Runway Gen-4 is generally better for most users due to its free tier and industry-leading character consistency across video clips. Runway Gen-4 is best for Professional filmmakers and video producers, while HeyGen shines at Video translation.
Is Runway Gen-4 free to use?
Yes, Runway Gen-4 offers a free tier with limited features. You can upgrade to paid plans starting at Free for more capabilities.
Is HeyGen free to use?
Yes, HeyGen offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans start at Free.
Can I switch from Runway Gen-4 to HeyGen?
Yes, you can switch between these tools at any time. Both are standalone services. Consider your specific needs for Professional filmmakers and video producers vs Video translation when deciding.