DaVinci Resolve vs Runway (2026): Pricing, Features & Which to Choose

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

Lower starting price
Runway
From $15/mo against from $295/mo
Free plan
DaVinci Resolve
Only DaVinci Resolve has one
Higher rating
DaVinci Resolve
4.5 against 4.4
Same job?
Yes
Both are Video tools

Side by side

Compared on	DaVinci Resolve	Runway
Our rating	4.5Better	4.4
Starts at	$295/mo	$15/moBetter
Free plan	YesBetter	No
Category	Video	Video
Plans	From $295/mo	From $15/mo
Key features	Combined editing, color grading, VFX (Fusion), and audio post (Fairlight) in one application Magic Mask AI-powered object isolation and tracking Speech-to-text transcription and text-based editing AI-driven voice isolation and audio cleanup tools Blackmagic Cloud for real-time multi-user remote collaboration	Pioneered the modern generative-video category through Gen-1, Gen-2, and Gen-3 models Traditional AI-assisted VFX tools: green-screen removal, inpainting, motion tracking No free plan, paid access only Operating since 2018, among the category's founding brands Widely adopted specifically among professional and semi-professional filmmakers
Pros	Free version is a real professional tool, not a crippled trial, used on real productions One-time $295 Studio license with free future updates beats subscription-based rivals on long-term cost Combines editing, color, VFX, and audio in one app instead of separate purchases	Founding-era pioneer status with continuous model improvement since 2018 Combines generation with traditional AI-VFX tools most pure models lack Strong, established reputation specifically among filmmaking professionals
Cons	Steeper learning curve than consumer editors given the breadth of professional tools packed in Free version caps out at UHD resolution and lacks some codecs and hardware acceleration Fusion and Fairlight pages demand more system resources than lighter editing tools	No free plan to test before committing Broader toolkit scope adds more to learn than a single-purpose generator Newer competitors sometimes lead on raw generation quality despite Runway's founding-era head start
Company	Blackmagic Design, founded 2001	Runway AI, Inc., founded 2018

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260808. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is DaVinci Resolve better than Runway?

In our reviews DaVinci Resolve scores 4.5 and Runway scores 4.4. The better pick depends on the job. DaVinci Resolve: A professional editing, color grading, visual effects, and audio suite with AI-assisted tools built by Blackmagic Design. Runway: The category's pioneer for filmmakers, with traditional AI-VFX tools beyond generation.

Which is cheaper, DaVinci Resolve or Runway?

Runway has the lower starting price: from $295/mo for DaVinci Resolve and from $15/mo for Runway.

Do DaVinci Resolve and Runway have free plans?

Only DaVinci Resolve has a free plan.

More comparisons

DaVinci Resolve compared with

All DaVinci Resolve alternatives

Runway compared with

All Runway alternatives