Moonshot AI vs Runway
Which Foundation Models AI tool is better in 2026?
Moonshot AI
Maker of Kimi — the long-context AI chatbot.
Runway
Applied AI research for video, image, and 3D.
Side-by-side
Moonshot AI leads on both fronts — more capital raised ($3B) and a lower entry price than Runway.
| Metric | Moonshot AI | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Maker of Kimi — the long-context AI chatbot. | Applied AI research for video, image, and 3D. |
| Foundedi | 2023 | 2018🏆 |
| HQi | Beijing, CN | New York, US |
| Employeesi | 201-500 | 201-500🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 82🏆 | 76 |
| Total fundingi | $3B🏆 | $1.4B |
| Latest roundi | Series C · May 2026 | Series E · Feb 2026 |
| Valuationi | $20B🏆 | $5.3B |
| Cheapest paid plani | —🏆 | Standard · $12/mo |
| Free plani | ✓ Kimi Free | ✓ Basic |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | — | Unlimited · $76/mo |
| Pricing summaryi | 4 published plans | 5 published plans |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Moonshot AI and Runway.
| Capability | Moonshot AI | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✓ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 2 (python, javascript) | 2 (JavaScript, Python) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✓ | ✓ |
🟢 Strengths of Moonshot AI
- Has raised more capital ($3B vs $1.4B)
- Higher Neuron score (82 vs 76)
- Newer company (2023)
🔵 Strengths of Runway
- Offers a free trial
- More mature (2018)
Which should you choose?
Choose Moonshot AI if price matters most — it starts at Free, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both Foundation Models tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Moonshot AI if you want the most established option — it has raised $3B, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
💸 Deals
Kimi by Moonshot — free chat with long context
Moonshot's Kimi assistant is free to use with up to 2M-token context — great for document analysis and long-form chat.
Runway free plan — 125 one-time credits
Runway's free plan includes 125 one-time credits to try Gen-3 Alpha, image-to-video, and the full creative suite.
Frequently asked questions
Moonshot AI vs Runway — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Moonshot AI has raised more capital and is the more established option; Runway has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Moonshot AI cheaper than Runway?
Yes — Moonshot AI's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Runway's is Standard · $12/mo.
Do Moonshot AI and Runway offer free plans?
Moonshot AI: Yes, has a free plan. Runway: Yes, has a free plan.
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