Cognition vs Runtime
Which Agents AI tool is better in 2026?
Cognition
Applied AI lab building Devin, the AI software engineer.
Runtime
Sandboxed coding agents for everyone on your team — with guardrails and observability.
Side-by-side
Cognition leads on both fronts — more capital raised ($1.1B) and a lower entry price than Runtime.
| Metric | Cognition | Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Applied AI lab building Devin, the AI software engineer. | Sandboxed coding agents for everyone on your team — with guardrails and observability. |
| Foundedi | 2023🏆 | 2026 |
| HQi | San Francisco, US | San Francisco, US |
| Employeesi | 11-50🏆 | — |
| Neuron scorei | 67🏆 | 52 |
| Total fundingi | $1.1B🏆 | $500K |
| Latest roundi | Series C · Sep 2025 | Seed · Mar 2026 |
| Valuationi | $10.2B🏆 | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pro · $20/mo🏆 | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plani | ✓ Free | ✗ |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Max · $200/mo | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | 5 published plans | Free trial |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Cognition and Runtime.
| Capability | Cognition | Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Cognition
- Has raised more capital ($1.1B vs $500K)
- Higher Neuron score (67 vs 52)
- Offers a free plan
- Lower starting price ($500/mo)
🔵 Strengths of Runtime
- Offers a free trial
- Newer company (2026)
Which should you choose?
Choose Cognition if price matters most — it starts at Free · From $500/mo, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Agents tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Cognition if you want the most established option — it has raised $1.1B, 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.
Frequently asked questions
Cognition vs Runtime — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Cognition has raised more capital and is the more established option; Runtime has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Cognition cheaper than Runtime?
Yes — Cognition's cheapest paid plan is Pro · $20/mo, while Runtime's is Free trial.
Do Cognition and Runtime offer free plans?
Cognition: Yes, has a free plan. Runtime: Free trial only.
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