Runway
Free / Standard from ~$15 per mo
Sora
Via ChatGPT Plus $20/mo or the API
Runway is a full generative-video platform with pro editing and visual-effects tools and its own subscription. Sora is OpenAI's video model, now accessed mainly through ChatGPT or the API after its standalone consumer app was discontinued. Runway wins as a complete creative tool; Sora wins for OpenAI-quality generations inside ChatGPT.
Pick Runway if you want a complete generative-video platform with cinematic output and advanced editing and visual-effects tools.
Pick Sora if you mainly want OpenAI-quality video generations inside ChatGPT, or you are a developer using the API.
Runway and Sora are two of the most talked-about AI video tools, but they are packaged very differently in 2026. Runway is a complete platform: cinematic text- and image-to-video generation plus a deep toolkit of editing and visual-effects features, with its own subscription. Sora is OpenAI's generative video model; after its standalone consumer app was discontinued in 2026, it is accessed mainly through ChatGPT (where Plus subscribers can generate videos) and via the API for developers.
On price, Runway has a free tier and paid plans from around $15 a month, while Sora has no standalone consumer subscription, you reach it through ChatGPT Plus ($20) or pay per use on the API. The choice is mostly a full creative video tool (Runway) versus OpenAI-quality generations inside ChatGPT (Sora).
We compare generation quality, editing tools, access model, and price.
| Quick facts | Runway | Sora |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Standalone platform | Via ChatGPT / API |
| Price | Free / from ~$15/mo | ChatGPT Plus $20/mo or API |
| Editing / VFX tools | Strong | Limited |
| Standalone consumer app | Yes | Discontinued (2026) |
| Best for | Full creative video | OpenAI generations in ChatGPT |
Each row reflects the feature on each product's current public release.
| Feature | R Runway | S Sora |
|---|---|---|
| Text/image-to-video | Yes | Yes |
| Cinematic generation quality | Strong | Strong |
| Advanced editing / VFX | Strong | Limited |
| Standalone subscription | Yes | No |
| Inside ChatGPT | No | Yes |
| Developer API | Yes | Yes |
| Free tier | Yes | Via ChatGPT free (limited) |
| Complete creative workflow | Best-in-class | Generation-focused |
Pricing and features change often. Always verify the current details on each product's official site. Last reviewed 2026-06-23.
Things neither product's marketing page leads with.
Runway is a full creative tool; Sora is now a model you reach through ChatGPT or the API rather than a standalone app.
If you already pay for ChatGPT Plus, Sora generations come with it; Runway is a separate subscription with deeper tooling.
Both burn usage quickly when iterating, so real cost depends on how much you generate.
The average person juggles a dozen subscriptions and forgets at least one. Subkept is a privacy-first subscription tracker: add Runway, Sora, and everything else, then get renewal reminders, price-hike alerts, and a clear monthly total, with no bank connection, ever. Free for up to 5 subscriptions, no time limit.
See how the price has moved