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Head to head
Luma Dream Machine vs Runway
Our verdict
In our side-by-side, Runway edges it — it comes out on top in 3 of the 7 things we checked.
Money-wise, Luma Dream Machine is the friendlier option ($9.99 vs $15).
- Go with Luma Dream Machine if you’re watching the budget.
- Go with Runway if you want to build on top of it and you hop between devices.
Luma Dream Machine vs Runway: side by side
| Criteria | Luma Dream Machine | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $9.99 ✓ | $15 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| User rating | — | — |
| Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| API | No | Yes ✓ |
| Platforms | web, ios, android | web, ios, android, desktop, browser-extension ✓ |
| Popularity | 58k pts | 86k pts ✓ |
Luma Dream Machine features
- ✓ Text-to-video generation from a written prompt
- ✓ Image-to-video using a photo as the opening frame
- ✓ Camera motion prompts for pans, orbits and push-ins
- ✓ Clip extension to continue a shot
Best for
- • Bringing product stills to life for social posts
- • Sketching moodboard shots before a real shoot
- • Making short looping visuals for music or art projects
Runway features
- ✓ Text-to-video and image-to-video generation
- ✓ Camera and motion controls for generated shots
- ✓ AI tools for background removal and inpainting
- ✓ Browser-based video editor
Best for
- • Creating B-roll shots for a short film
- • Turning a still image into a moving scene
- • Removing a background from video footage
FAQ
Should I use Luma Dream Machine or Runway?+
We lean towards Runway — it wins more of our checks. That said, Luma Dream Machine is the better fit for creators and designers who want cinematic motion without editing software.
Is Luma Dream Machine cheaper than Runway?+
Yes — Luma Dream Machine starts at $9.99, Runway at $15.
Do Luma Dream Machine and Runway have free plans?+
Luma Dream Machine: Free · from $9.99/mo. Runway: Free · from $15/mo.
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