AI Video Tool Comparison
Hailuo (MiniMax) vs Runway
Two of the biggest AI video generators of 2026, side by side. Pricing, features, real festival winners, and which one to pick for your project.
Hailuo (MiniMax)
by MiniMax
MiniMax's video model. Made waves for being free with no watermarks during its launch period, and used by NYU Tisch and Sydney AIT in their AI film hackathons.
Strengths
- +Strongest free tier on the market
- +No watermarks even on free generations
- +Fast generation speed
- +Reliable physics and lighting
Weaknesses
- -Shorter clip length than competitors
- -Limited director controls
- -Less stylistic range
Runway
by Runway ML
The most established AI video platform, used by Hollywood studios and the host of the Runway AI Film Festival. Strong cinematic look and broadest set of director-level controls.
Strengths
- +Hollywood-grade cinematic motion
- +Most director controls (Motion Brush, Camera Control, Director Mode)
- +Mature studio with full edit suite
- +Hosts the largest AI film festival
Weaknesses
- -Most expensive at the pro tier
- -Per-shot length cap is shorter than Kling
- -Credit system burns fast in iteration
Pick Hailuo (MiniMax) if you need
- • Hackathons
- • Rapid iteration
- • Free-tier filmmakers
- • Pre-vis scratch shots
Pick Runway if you need
- • Narrative shorts
- • Director-driven cinema
- • Festival submissions
- • Brand films
Festival track record
Hailuo (MiniMax)
Used in 2,000+ submission Hailuo x NYU Tisch Film Hackathon 2025
Runway
Total Pixel Space (Grand Prize winner) and 6,000+ submissions to its 2025 festival