→How to Migrate from Runway to Synthesia (Step-by-Step)
Last updated: April 2026
Migrating from Runway to Synthesia makes sense when your focus shifts from creative video generation to scalable, professional talking-head content. Runway excels at artistic AI video creation and editing, while Synthesia specializes in efficient, avatar-based video production for corporate, training, and explainer content. This guide covers a complete migration path, including exporting your assets from Runway, adapting your workflow to Synthesia's text-to-video model, mapping key features, and setting up new projects. We'll help you transition smoothly to leverage Synthesia's strengths in consistency, multilingual support, and rapid production without filming.
Estimated Timeline
solo user
2-5 hours (for a handful of videos)
small team
2-3 days (including strategy adaptation and review cycles)
enterprise
2-4 weeks (for large libraries, custom avatar creation, and full workflow integration)
Migration Steps
Audit and Export Runway Projects
easySet Up Your Synthesia Account and Workspace
easyAdapt Your Content Strategy for Avatar-Based Videos
mediumRecreate Videos Using Synthesia's Studio
mediumImplement Branding and Consistency Checks
easyEstablish New Production and Review Workflows
mediumExport, Archive, and Sunset Runway Usage
easyFeature Mapping
| Runway | Synthesia Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gen-3 Alpha Text/Image to Video | Text to AI Avatar Video | Major shift: Runway generates novel video scenes; Synthesia generates a speaking avatar. Use scripts and uploaded media in Synthesia to approximate visual concepts. |
| AI-Powered Video Editing (Inpainting, Motion Brushes) | Scene Editor with Media, Text, & Shapes | Synthesia offers non-destructive timeline editing with assets, but lacks Runway's generative pixel-level VFX. It focuses on compositing pre-made elements. |
| Green Screen & Background Removal | Avatar with Custom Backgrounds | Similar outcome achieved differently. In Synthesia, choose avatar and set any image/video as background. No need for original chroma key footage. |
| Text-Based Editing (Transcript Editing) | Script-Based Video Editing | Direct parallel. Editing the text script in Synthesia's editor automatically updates the avatar's speech and video timing. |
| Frame Interpolation / Slow Motion | Video Playback Speed Adjustment | Synthesia allows speed control for uploaded video clips in scenes, but does not generate new frames like Runway's AI interpolation. |
| Custom AI Model Training (Enterprise) | Custom AI Avatar & Voice Cloning (Enterprise) | Both offer enterprise customization. Runway trains on visual style; Synthesia clones a person's likeness and voice for avatar creation. |
| Real-Time Collaboration | Team Workspaces & Commenting | Both support team collaboration. Synthesia's is centered on script and video review, while Runway's includes real-time editing on a timeline. |
Data Transfer Guide
Runway does not have a direct export function for project data to Synthesia. The transfer is a manual recreation process. First, from Runway: Export your final video renders via the 'Export' button, choosing MP4 format. Download any source images or assets from your project 'Assets' panel. Save your text prompts and editing notes externally. For Synthesia import: You cannot directly import Runway project files. Instead, use your exported videos as reference. In Synthesia, upload these video clips or images as media assets to use within new scenes. Your main 'import' is the conceptual translation of your Runway projects into Synthesia-compatible scripts and avatar-based scenes. Treat your Runway exports as a visual brief.