Video & Multimedia

Runway vs Kapwing for Nonprofits

Choosing between AI-generated cinematic footage and practical browser-based video editing? Runway creates original video from text prompts using its Gen-4 models, making it powerful for fundraising visuals and campaign content without cameras. Kapwing edits existing footage with team collaboration, auto-subtitles in 40+ languages, and direct social media publishing. Your choice hinges on whether your nonprofit needs to generate new footage from scratch or efficiently edit and distribute existing video.

Quick Verdict

Choose based on your nonprofit's video workflow:

Choose Runway if:

•You need to generate original video footage from text or images without filming
•Your campaigns need cinematic-quality visuals that would normally require a production crew
•You have creative staff comfortable with AI prompting and iterative generation
•API access for custom AI video workflows is important to your tech team

Choose Kapwing if:

•You edit existing footage and need subtitles, trimming, and social media resizing
•Multiple team members need to collaborate on video projects simultaneously
•Direct publishing to TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook saves your team time
•Budget predictability matters and you prefer flat monthly pricing over credits

Visit Runway Visit Kapwing Get Advice

At-a-Glance Comparison

Feature	Runway	Kapwing	Winner / Notes
Starting Price (Annual)	$12/month (Standard)	$16/month (Pro)	💰 Runway for entry price
Pricing Model	Credit-based (expires monthly)	Flat monthly subscription	📊 Kapwing for budget predictability
Free Plan	125 one-time credits (never replenish)	1-min exports, watermark, 720p	🤝 Both very limited
Nonprofit Discount	None public (contact sales)	None available	🤝 Neither offers discounts
Core Approach	AI video generation from text/images	Browser-based video editing	🎯 Different tools for different needs
Ease of Use	Moderate (AI prompting needed)	Very easy (G2: 8.9/10)	✅ Kapwing for non-technical teams
Team Collaboration	Shared workspaces on paid plans	Real-time co-editing, comments	👥 Kapwing for team workflows
Social Media Publishing	Manual download/upload	Direct to TikTok, YouTube, Facebook	📱 Kapwing for social teams
AI Subtitle Generation	Not a core feature	40+ languages, auto-translate	🗣️ Kapwing for subtitles
Video Quality Ceiling	Cinematic 4K AI-generated	Up to 4K (editing existing footage)	🎬 Runway for original footage
Security Certifications	SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, CCPA	GDPR-compliant vendors	🔒 Runway for compliance
Best For Nonprofits	Fundraising visuals, campaign content	Social media, subtitles, team editing	🎯 Mission-dependent choice

Last updated: February 27, 2026. Pricing and features subject to change; verify with vendors before purchase.

Learn more about Runway Learn more about Kapwing

Video content has become essential for nonprofit communication, from fundraising campaigns and donor updates to social media engagement and volunteer recruitment. But creating professional video has traditionally required expensive equipment, skilled editors, and significant time investments. AI-powered video platforms are changing that equation, though they take very different approaches to the problem.

Runway and Kapwing represent two distinct philosophies in nonprofit video creation. Runway is fundamentally an AI generation platform: it creates original footage from text descriptions using its Gen-4 and Gen-4.5 models, producing cinematic-quality video clips that would normally require a camera crew. Kapwing is a collaborative video editor: it takes your existing footage and makes it shareable through auto-subtitles, smart trimming, social media resizing, and team-based editing workflows.

For nonprofits evaluating these tools, the core question is not which platform is "better" but which matches your actual workflow. If your organization films events, interviews, and program activities, then edits and distributes that content across channels, Kapwing aligns with your process. If your organization needs professional video content but lacks cameras, filming locations, or production budgets, Runway opens creative possibilities that did not exist a few years ago.

This comparison examines both platforms through the lens of nonprofit needs, covering pricing and budget predictability, ease of use for small teams, collaboration capabilities, AI features that save staff time, security and compliance, and practical guidance for choosing between them. Whether you're producing content for a strategic communications plan or creating quick social media clips, understanding the strengths and limitations of each tool will help you invest wisely.

What Is Runway?

Runway is an AI research company that builds tools for creative video production. Its core capability is generating original video footage from text prompts, images, or existing video using proprietary AI models. The platform has evolved from a niche creative tool into a production-grade system used by filmmakers, agencies, and marketing teams. For nonprofits, it represents a way to produce professional video content without physical production infrastructure.

The Gen-4.5 model, released in December 2025, currently holds the top position on the Artificial Analysis video quality leaderboard with an Elo rating of 1,247. This means the AI can generate footage with realistic physics, natural motion, and cinematic composition from a text description alone. A nonprofit could, for example, type a description of a community garden scene and receive a 10-second cinematic clip suitable for a fundraising campaign, without anyone holding a camera.

Beyond generation, Runway includes a browser-based video editor, video-to-video style transfer, background removal, motion tracking, and a Workflows system that chains multiple AI operations together. The platform uses a credit-based pricing model where different operations consume different amounts of credits, and credits expire at the end of each billing cycle.

Runway Key Strengths for Nonprofits

Generate campaign visuals, event teasers, and awareness content without filming equipment or on-screen talent
Transform still images into motion content, breathing life into photos from events and programs
Apply style transfer to transform existing footage into different visual aesthetics for creative storytelling
API access enables integration with custom workflows for organizations with technical capacity
SOC 2 Type II certified, providing enterprise-grade security for donor and program data

What Is Kapwing?

Kapwing is a browser-based video editing platform designed for teams that need to produce and distribute video content efficiently. Rather than generating footage from scratch, Kapwing focuses on taking existing video (from events, interviews, phone recordings, or screen captures) and turning it into polished, shareable content across social media platforms. It has become popular with marketing teams, educators, and nonprofit communications staff who need professional results without learning complex editing software.

Kapwing's AI features are practical rather than generative. Auto-subtitles in 40+ languages, AI dubbing for multilingual audiences, smart cut to remove silences, background removal, and one-click resizing for different social platforms save hours of manual editing work. The platform also provides AI B-roll insertion, which suggests and inserts relevant stock footage to fill gaps in your video timeline, and AI eye contact correction to improve the look of webcam recordings.

Where Kapwing particularly stands out is collaboration. Multiple team members can edit the same project simultaneously, leave comments in the editor, share Brand Kit assets for consistent visual identity, and publish directly to TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo. For nonprofit teams where the communications coordinator also handles fundraising, social media, and volunteer outreach, this streamlined workflow can save significant time each week.

Kapwing Key Strengths for Nonprofits

Edit and distribute event footage, interviews, and program videos across social channels from one platform
Auto-generate subtitles in 40+ languages, making content accessible to diverse and multilingual communities
Real-time collaboration lets communications, fundraising, and program staff work on videos together
Brand Kit and templates ensure consistent visual identity across all organizational video content
Direct publishing to TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo eliminates manual download-and-upload steps

Verdict: Runway wins for API access. Nonprofits with technical teams can build automated video generation workflows. Most small nonprofits will not need API access.

Pricing Breakdown and Total Cost of Ownership

Runway Pricing

Credit-based model (annual billing)

Free$0 (125 one-time credits)
Standard$12/month (625 credits/mo)
Pro$28/month (2,250 credits/mo)
Unlimited$76/month (unlimited relaxed)
EnterpriseCustom pricing

Budget note: Credits expire monthly and consumption varies by model quality. One second of Gen-4 video costs approximately 12 credits. Plan for iteration costs, as AI generation often requires multiple attempts.

Kapwing Pricing

Flat subscription model (annual billing)

Free$0 (1-min exports, watermark)
Pro$16/month (1080p/4K, no watermark)
Business$50/month (enhanced AI, priority support)
EnterpriseCustom pricing

Budget note: Flat pricing means no surprise overages. Pro plan includes unlimited exports, HD/4K resolution, and all AI tools. Predictable monthly cost for budget planning.

Annual Cost Scenarios for Nonprofits

Small Nonprofit

1-2 videos/month, basic needs

Runway: $144/year (Standard). May need to upgrade for more credits, pushing to $336/year.

Kapwing: $192/year (Pro). Flat rate covers all editing needs without overage risk.

Better value: Runway if generating footage; Kapwing if editing existing video.

Mid-Size Nonprofit

4-8 videos/month, team access

Runway: $336-912/year (Pro to Unlimited). Credit consumption scales with usage and iteration.

Kapwing: $192-600/year (Pro to Business). Business plan adds enhanced AI limits and team features.

Better value: Kapwing for predictable budgeting. Runway only if generative video is a core need.

Large Nonprofit

10+ videos/month, multiple teams

Runway: $912+/year (Unlimited or Enterprise). Enterprise adds SSO and dedicated support.

Kapwing: $600+/year (Business or Enterprise). Enterprise includes custom terms and advanced collaboration.

Better value: Both offer Enterprise tiers. Kapwing for editing scale; Runway for generation volume.

Nonprofit Discounts and Special Pricing

Neither Runway nor Kapwing offers a formal, publicly listed nonprofit discount program as of February 2026. This is a notable gap for both platforms, especially compared to tools like many other AI platforms in our comparisons directory that provide 25-50% off for qualifying organizations.

Runway Discount Options

Education discount: 20% off for individual users at accredited institutions; 25% off for bulk class purchases
Student Ambassador: Up to 100,000 free credits for accepted students
Nonprofit inquiry: Contact sales for potential custom pricing (not guaranteed)
Annual billing: 20% savings over monthly billing on all plans

Kapwing Discount Options

Education program: Free Pro accounts for K-12 educators and students (currently paused, waitlist only)
Educator discount: 10% off for educators, military, and first responders
Student discount: Available through UNiDAYS verification
Annual billing: Approximately 33% savings over monthly billing

Recommendation: If your nonprofit is affiliated with an educational institution, Runway's active education discount (20-25% off) provides the most immediate savings. For all other nonprofits, annual billing on either platform is the most reliable way to reduce costs. Consider contacting both sales teams directly, as some organizations have reported receiving informal discounts by explaining their nonprofit mission and budget constraints.

Ease of Use and Learning Curve

Runway Learning Curve

Moderate: 2-4 weeks to proficiency

Basics (Day 1): Clean interface, clear tool labels. Generating your first video from a text prompt takes minutes.
Intermediate (Week 1-2): Learning effective prompting, understanding credit costs per operation, and using camera controls effectively.
Advanced (Week 3-4): Workflows system, motion brush, Act Two performance capture, and optimizing credit usage for budget efficiency.
Support: Runway Academy structured tutorials, video guides per feature, active community forums.

Kapwing Learning Curve

Easy: 1-3 days to proficiency

Basics (Hours 1-2): Familiar video editor layout. Upload, trim, add text, export. Most users produce their first shareable video in under an hour.
Intermediate (Day 1-2): AI features like auto-subtitles, smart cut, and background removal. Brand Kit setup and template creation.
Advanced (Day 2-3): Multi-track editing, AI dubbing, collaboration workflows, and direct publishing configurations.
Support: Template library, help center, "Kit" AI support bot, email and chat support on paid plans.

For nonprofit teams: If your video work is handled by staff who also manage other responsibilities (a common reality for nonprofits), Kapwing's shallow learning curve means less time away from core duties. Runway rewards investment in learning AI prompting but requires dedicated creative time. Consider whether your team has the capacity for the steeper initial learning curve before committing.

Integration and Compatibility

Integration	Runway	Kapwing
Developer API	Yes ($0.01/credit)	No
TikTok Publishing	No	Yes (direct)
YouTube Publishing	No	Yes (direct)
Facebook Publishing	No	Yes (direct)
Vimeo	No	Yes (import and publish)
Google Drive	No	Yes (import)
Third-Party AI Models	Kling 3.0, Sora 2 Pro	ElevenLabs (sound effects)
Music Library	Limited built-in	Jamendo (license-free, Pro)
Export Formats	MP4, GIF	MP4, GIF, MOV, WEBP
Subtitle Export	Not available	SRT, VTT, TXT

The integration story reveals the fundamental difference between these platforms. Runway is designed as a creative generation engine that outputs video files for use elsewhere. Kapwing is designed as a video production hub that connects to your distribution channels. For nonprofits managing social media calendars alongside other organizational priorities, Kapwing's direct publishing and import capabilities eliminate repetitive file management steps. Organizations with development resources may find Runway's API valuable for building automated content generation pipelines, but this requires technical expertise most small nonprofits do not have in-house.

Which Tool Should You Choose?

Runway and Kapwing serve different video needs, and many nonprofits may eventually find value in using both. However, if you are choosing one platform to start with, use these five questions to guide your decision.

1. Do you have existing video footage to work with?

If yes, Kapwing is your starting point. Its editing, subtitling, and distribution tools turn raw footage into polished content. If no, Runway can generate footage from scratch, though you should budget for the learning curve and credit costs.

2. How many people on your team create video?

If multiple staff members contribute to video content, Kapwing's real-time collaboration, Brand Kit, and templates make shared production practical. Runway's shared workspaces work for teams, but the platform is optimized for individual creative workflows.

3. How important is budget predictability?

Kapwing's flat subscription means no surprises. Runway's credit system can lead to unexpected costs, especially when iterating on AI-generated content. For nonprofits that need to forecast expenses precisely, Kapwing's pricing model is safer.

4. Do you need cinematic visuals without filming?

If your fundraising campaigns, awareness content, or storytelling requires footage of scenes you cannot film (visualizing impact, depicting community transformations, creating emotional campaign visuals), Runway's generative capabilities are uniquely valuable.

5. How central is social media to your distribution strategy?

If social media is your primary distribution channel, Kapwing's direct publishing, platform-specific resizing, and Brand Kit make it the clear winner. Runway produces excellent content but requires additional tools and steps for social distribution.

Choose Runway When:

Creating original footage without cameras or filming locations
Building cinematic fundraising and awareness campaign visuals
Transforming still images and photos into motion video content
Integrating AI video generation into custom workflows via API
You have creative staff who enjoy experimenting with AI tools

Choose Kapwing When:

Editing event recordings, interviews, and program documentation
Adding subtitles and translating content for multilingual communities
Publishing directly to social media platforms from one dashboard
Collaborating across a team with shared branding and templates
Budget predictability is more important than cutting-edge AI features

Data Privacy, Security, and Compliance

Security Feature	Runway	Kapwing
SOC 2 Type II	Yes (report available to Enterprise)	Not publicly listed
GDPR Compliance	Yes	Yes (vendor-level)
CCPA/CPRA	Yes	Not specifically stated
Data Hosting	AWS (enterprise encryption)	Google Cloud (US East/West)
Data Deletion	Available on request	Self-service (account deletion)
SSO/SAML	Enterprise plan only	Enterprise plan only

Runway has stronger formal security credentials with SOC 2 Type II certification, GDPR alignment, and CCPA/CPRA controls. For nonprofits handling donor data, HIPAA-adjacent information, or content involving vulnerable populations, Runway's documented security framework provides more assurance. Kapwing evaluates all AI vendors for security and uses GDPR-compliant service providers, but has not published SOC 2 certification. Both platforms host data in US regions. If your organization's compliance requirements demand formal certifications, Runway is the safer choice. For standard nonprofit video content that does not involve sensitive personal data, both platforms provide adequate security for typical use.

Pros and Cons for Nonprofits

Runway

Pros

Creates original cinematic footage from text, eliminating need for cameras and crew
Gen-4.5 is the top-rated AI video model globally, producing impressive visual quality
Lower entry price at $12/month (Standard annual) compared to Kapwing's $16/month
Developer API enables custom automation workflows for tech-capable organizations
SOC 2 Type II certified with strong data security framework

Cons

✗Credit costs are unpredictable, making budgeting difficult for resource-constrained nonprofits
✗AI generation often requires multiple iterations, consuming credits faster than expected
✗No direct social media publishing, requiring extra steps for content distribution
✗Steeper learning curve requires dedicated creative time to achieve quality results
✗Credits expire monthly with no rollover, penalizing months with lower production

Kapwing

Pros

Very easy to learn (G2: 8.9/10), accessible to non-technical staff within hours
Real-time team collaboration with in-editor comments and shared Brand Kit
Direct publishing to TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo from one platform
Flat monthly pricing with unlimited exports, making budgeting predictable
AI auto-subtitles in 40+ languages serve diverse and multilingual nonprofit communities

Cons

✗Cannot generate original footage, limiting options for organizations without existing video
✗Browser reliability issues reported, with export failures on longer videos (15+ minutes)
✗Free plan is very restrictive (1-minute exports, watermark, 3-day project auto-deletion)
✗No public API, limiting integration possibilities for tech-savvy organizations
✗No SOC 2 certification may be a concern for nonprofits handling sensitive content

Getting Started with Your Choice

Getting Started with Runway

For organizations choosing AI video generation

Create a free account with 125 one-time credits to explore the interface and test Gen-4 Turbo
Complete Runway Academy tutorials on text-to-video basics before upgrading
Generate 3-5 test clips related to your mission to evaluate quality and credit costs
If satisfied, upgrade to Standard ($12/month annual) and set a monthly credit usage target
Contact sales about potential nonprofit or education pricing if you are affiliated with a school
Build a prompt library of descriptions that work well for your organization's content needs

Getting Started with Kapwing

For organizations choosing collaborative editing

Create a free account and upload a short video clip (under 1 minute) to test the editing experience
Try auto-subtitles on an existing video to see the quality and speed of AI captioning
Explore Brand Kit by uploading your logo, brand colors, and fonts for consistent content
Upgrade to Pro ($16/month annual) once you confirm the free tier meets your basic needs
Invite team members and test real-time collaboration on a shared project
Connect social media accounts and test direct publishing to your primary platforms

Both platforms offer free tiers for evaluation, though both have significant limitations. Use the free tier to confirm the tool matches your workflow before committing to annual billing. If you are unsure which platform to prioritize, start with Kapwing for immediate practical value (editing existing footage and distributing content), then explore Runway when you have a specific need for AI-generated footage, such as a fundraising campaign that requires visuals you cannot film.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for nonprofits: Runway or Kapwing?

It depends on your video needs. Kapwing is better for most nonprofits that edit existing footage, add subtitles, and need team collaboration with direct social media publishing. Runway is better for organizations that need to generate original video footage from text prompts or images without a camera, such as for cinematic fundraising campaigns. Kapwing has a flat monthly fee ($16/month) while Runway uses a credit system ($12/month) that can be harder to budget.

Does Runway offer a nonprofit discount?

Runway does not have a publicly listed nonprofit discount program. They offer an education discount (20-25% off for accredited institutions), and nonprofits can contact their sales team to inquire about potential custom pricing. Budget for standard rates: $12/month Standard or $28/month Pro on annual billing.

Does Kapwing offer a nonprofit discount?

Kapwing does not currently offer a dedicated nonprofit discount. Their education program providing free Pro accounts is currently paused for new applicants. They offer a 10% discount for educators, military, and first responders. Nonprofits pay standard rates: $16/month Pro or $50/month Business on annual billing.

Can non-technical nonprofit staff use Runway and Kapwing?

Kapwing is significantly easier for non-technical users, with a G2 ease-of-use rating of 8.9/10. It works like a simplified video editor with drag-and-drop functionality. Runway requires understanding AI prompting, model selection, and iterative creative workflows. For organizations without dedicated creative staff, Kapwing is the more accessible choice.

Can Runway create video from text descriptions?

Yes, Runway's primary strength is text-to-video generation using Gen-4 and Gen-4.5 models. You type a description and the AI generates cinematic footage. This is powerful for creating fundraising campaign visuals, event teasers, or awareness content without any filming. Kapwing's text-to-video feature is more limited, using stock footage with AI narration rather than generating original footage.

Which tool is better for creating social media video content?

Kapwing is generally better for social media content. It offers one-click resizing for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook. It also provides direct publishing to major platforms, AI auto-subtitles in 40+ languages, and Brand Kit for consistent branding. Runway creates impressive individual video clips, but requires additional tools for social media formatting and distribution.

How do Runway and Kapwing pricing models differ?

Runway uses a credit-based system where you pay for generation credits that vary in cost depending on model quality and video duration (for example, 1 second of Gen-4 video costs approximately 12 credits). Credits expire monthly and do not roll over. Kapwing charges a flat monthly subscription with unlimited exports on paid plans. For nonprofits on tight budgets, Kapwing's predictable pricing is generally easier to manage.

Do Runway and Kapwing support team collaboration?

Both support collaboration, but Kapwing is significantly stronger. Kapwing offers real-time co-editing where multiple team members can work on the same project simultaneously, in-editor commenting, shared Brand Kit, and reusable templates. Runway provides shared workspaces and project access on paid plans, but lacks real-time co-editing capabilities.

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