7 Frequently Asked Questions About Runway | What Beginners Want to Know First
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Runway has been making waves as a tool that lets you "create videos just by typing text." But if you're using it for the first time, there's a lot you probably don't know — pricing, how to use it, copyright concerns, and more. This article compiles seven questions you'll want answered before you start using Runway.
Runway is an AI tool that can automatically generate video from text or images. Type something like "a cat walking along a beach at sunset," and the AI will create that scene as a video lasting anywhere from a few seconds to several tens of seconds. As of 2026, the latest flagship model is Gen-4 (fourth generation), which produces more natural and fluid video than ever before.
It's used by a wide range of people — not just professional video creators, but also those who want to make videos for social media posts or add movement to presentation materials. The editing features are also robust, letting you trim generated videos or adjust colors entirely within your browser.
Runway offers a free plan (Free tier) that gives you 125 credits when you register for an account. However, these credits are one-time only — once you've used them up, they won't be replenished. Since generating a single video requires several tens of credits, it's best to think of this as a trial.
If you want to use Runway seriously, a paid plan is recommended. The Standard plan is $12/month (with an annual contract) and includes 625 credits per month; the Pro plan is $28/month with 2,250 credits; and the Max plan is $76/month with 9,500 credits. Credits are consumed at different rates depending on video length and resolution, so choose a plan that matches your needs.
Unfortunately, as of March 2026, Runway does not support Japanese. When generating videos, you need to enter your prompts (instructions) in English. For example, "a woman smiling under a cherry blossom tree" would need to be written in English just like that.
If you're not confident in English, you can use Google Translate or DeepL (a high-accuracy AI translation tool) to convert your Japanese text into English before entering it. As for accuracy, since the Gen-4 model was introduced, the movement of people and fine details in backgrounds have become considerably more natural, and it's now considered capable of professional-level video production.
Videos generated with a paid plan (Standard or above) can be used commercially. This means you can monetize them on YouTube with ads, or use them in corporate PR videos without any issues. However, videos made with the free plan are prohibited from commercial use, and the watermark cannot be removed, so be careful.
Regarding copyright, the rights to generated videos generally belong to the user. That said, Runway's terms of service explicitly state that some generated content may be used to improve their models. Additionally, creating videos that imitate the face or voice of a celebrity without permission, or uploading someone else's copyrighted material for conversion, is prohibited. Before any serious commercial use, it is recommended that you consult a professional.
Other AI video generation tools similar to Runway include Pika, Luma AI, and OpenAI's Sora. Runway's strength lies in its robust editing features, not just generation. With tools like the motion brush and masking features, you can animate only a portion of a video or change the color of a specific area.
Pika, on the other hand, is simpler to operate and more beginner-friendly, while Sora — though still limited in public availability — is said to have exceptionally high generation quality. Runway is best suited for those who want to handle both "generation and editing on a single platform."
Since Runway is a web-based service, you can access it from a smartphone. However, because of the smaller screen, detailed editing work may be difficult. If you're using it on your phone, a good approach is to use it just for generating videos and then do the editing later on a computer.
Dedicated apps for iOS and Android are also available, but their functionality is somewhat limited compared to the browser version. For serious use, the most comfortable experience is through a desktop browser (such as Chrome or Safari).
Runway's official website has a Help Center with FAQs and usage guides published in English. If you're looking for information in Japanese, searching "Runway 使い方" (how to use Runway) on YouTube will turn up plenty of explanatory videos from Japanese creators.
There are also Runway user communities on X (formerly Twitter) and Discord, where people are often happy to answer questions. When you encounter an error, clearing your browser's cache or trying a different browser can sometimes resolve the issue.
In 2026, Runway discontinued Gen-3 Alpha and shifted its development focus to Gen-4. Going forward, new features are anticipated, including the generation of longer videos, more precise camera movement control, and automatic generation of voiceovers and background music. The AI video generation space is highly competitive, with companies announcing major updates every few months.
It's said that a future is coming where AI video generation will be used in the production of films and television programs as well. As one of the industry-leading companies, Runway will undoubtedly continue to evolve. Getting familiar with how to use it while you're still a beginner could be a plus for your career down the road.
This article has covered the most frequently asked questions about Runway. Let's recap the key points:
The best way to start is to try the free plan and see if it's right for you. AI video generation is a tool that will only become more accessible going forward, so getting comfortable with it early could open up new opportunities.
This article is a cross-post from AI Friends.
