ElevenLabs vs Runway
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
ElevenLabs is the better app overall, scoring 8.6 to 8.1. ElevenLabs wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Runway on 0, with 1 tied.
YouTubers, podcasters and authors who need natural voiceovers
Editors, agencies and filmmakers who need control over every shot
Score by score
The details
| Feature | ElevenLabs | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI Creative Tools | AI Creative Tools |
| Category rank | #1 of 12 | #6 of 12 |
| Developer | ElevenLabs | Runway AI |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is ElevenLabs better than Runway?
ElevenLabs is the better app overall, scoring 8.6 to 8.1. ElevenLabs wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Runway on 0, with 1 tied.
Which is cheaper, ElevenLabs or Runway?
ElevenLabs: 10,000 free credits a month; Starter is $6 a month and adds a commercial license. Runway: 125 one-time free credits; Standard is $15 a month or $12 billed yearly. On value for money, ElevenLabs scores higher.
Do ElevenLabs and Runway work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on Web, iPhone & iPad, Android.
Which is more private, ElevenLabs or Runway?
ElevenLabs scores higher on privacy (7.0/10). ElevenLabs uses inputs and outputs to train its models unless you opt out under Data use in account settings. It keeps data generated about your voice no more than 3 years after your last activity.
Strengths and weaknesses
ElevenLabs
- Expressive voices that handle tone and pacing
- Training opt-out in account settings
- Free plan covers voices, effects and music
- Free plan has no commercial license
- Credits go fast on long narration
- Voice cloning needs a paid plan
ElevenLabs sets the bar for AI voices. Eleven v4, out in September 2026, is built to read tone, pacing and context, and ElevenLabs says it ranked first in a blind voice-preference arena. You can clone your own voice, design new ones, add sound effects, transcribe audio or make music from the same account. The free plan's 10,000 monthly credits go a fair way, but commercial use starts with the $6 Starter plan.
Full ElevenLabs review
Runway
- Deep editing and control, not just prompts
- Many top models under one credit balance
- Plugins for Premiere Pro and After Effects
- Free plan is a one-time 125 credits
- Credits go fast on premium video models
- Irrevocable training license on your work
Runway is less about one model and more about control. Its own Gen-4.5 video and Aleph 2.0 editing sit beside Kling, Seedance and Nano Banana, and Runway Agent can turn a conversation into a cut, multi-shot video. New Ads and App Studio tools push it further toward agencies and editors. The free plan is just 125 one-time credits, and its terms give Runway an irrevocable right to train on what you make.
Full Runway review
