Side-by-side comparison
Luma Dream Machine vs Runway
Plans, free tiers and API access for Luma Dream Machine and Runway, from each vendor's own pages. Last checked Oct 4, 2026.
The short answer
- Runway has the lower entry price at $12/mo, against $30/mo for Luma Dream Machine.
- Runway has an ongoing free plan; Luma Dream Machine does not.
Pricing and features
- Plus$30/mo
- Pro$90/mo
- Ultra$300/mo
- Standard$12/mo
- Pro$28/mo
- Max$76/mo
How to choose
Luma and Runway both target video professionals, but their entry points differ. Luma shows a Try for free button, but its paid tiers are credit subscriptions: Plus at $30 per month with 10,000 credits, Pro at $90 and Ultra at $300, with up to 20% off for yearly Plus. Luma notes usage varies widely by model and resolution. Runway has a defined free plan with 125 one-time credits and 5GB storage, then Standard at $12, Pro at $28 and Max at $76 per month billed annually, or $15, $35 and $95 monthly. Luma aims at studios producing campaign assets and high-volume media; Runway aims at creators, marketers and enterprises. Both advertise programmatic access, with Runway documenting a Dev Platform and MCP.
- Luma Dream Machine: You are a studio or creative professional who expects high-volume use and accepts $30 per month as the starting point.
- Runway: You want a lower listed entry price ($12 billed annually) and a confirmed free plan.
- Either: You need programmatic access for a team, since both advertise API or developer offerings and details differ.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Luma Dream Machine or Runway?
Runway has the lower starting price ($12/mo versus $30/mo). Compare plans before choosing, since limits differ.
Is Luma Dream Machine free?
Free to start. Try for free call-to-action on homepage; paid tiers sold via credit subscriptions
Is Runway free?
Free plan. Free plan includes 125 one-time credits, a selection of generative models, and 5GB asset storage with no monthly fee