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DeepInfra vs Runware
Runware is a low-cost media generation API across image, video, audio and 3D. DeepInfra is a low-cost text host. Both compete on price, in different modalities.
By The Subconscious Team · Updated
DeepInfra vs Runware: key differences
Runware and DeepInfra share an identity, the cheapest option in their lane, but the lanes differ. Runware sells what it calls the lowest-cost API for media generation. One task schema covers image, video, audio, 3D and text, its rate sheet lists 300+ priced models, and a Model Lake keeps 400K+ models resident. Images run from fractions of a cent to a few cents, and video bills per second, like Seedance 2.5 at about $0.10 a second at 480p. DeepInfra is the price floor on open LLM tokens, with 150+ models across text, image and speech. Runware itself treats LLM hosting as a side line.
So the realistic setup is both. A consumer app might run its prompts, captions and chat on DeepInfra at rates like $0.14 in and $0.28 out on DeepSeek V4 Flash, and send images and short videos to Runware. Runware also supports fine-tuned diffusion checkpoints and rents H100s by the second at $2.76 an hour. DeepInfra has no managed fine-tuning. Each has a practical catch. Runware's output URLs expire after seven days by default, so apps need their own storage, and DeepInfra's default quantization needs checking per model.
What DeepInfra and Runware do
DeepInfra
DeepInfra is the price floor for open-model inference. Developers treat it as the reference point for what a token should cost, with small models like Llama 3.1 8B at $0.02 per million and DeepSeek V4 Flash at $0.14 in and $0.28 out. The catalog covers 150+ open models across text, image and speech behind a fully OpenAI-compatible API. There are no minimums, setup fees or contracts on the shared API.
Example models: DeepSeek V4 Flash, Llama 3.1 8B
Full DeepInfra profileRunware
Runware sells what it calls the lowest-cost API for media generation, and it claims more than 1M developers. One endpoint covers image, video, audio, 3D and text. Every request is a task with the same shape, so switching from a Kling video to a Seedream image mostly means changing the model ID. The published rate sheet lists 300+ priced models, with images from fractions of a cent to a few cents each and video billed per second, like Seedance 2.5 at about $0.10 a second at 480p.
Example models: Seedance 2.5, Qwen-Image-3.0
Full Runware profileShould you choose DeepInfra or Runware?
DeepInfra
Choose DeepInfra for
- LLM chat and text processing at floor prices
- The text layer of a media app
- Bulk extraction and synthetic data jobs
Runware
Choose Runware for
- High-volume image and short video generation
- Running community or fine-tuned diffusion checkpoints
- One request schema across image, video, audio and 3D
DeepInfra vs Runware at a glance
| Attribute | DeepInfra | Runware |
|---|---|---|
| Model access | Open weights | Hosted media models |
| Flagship models | DeepSeek V4 Flash, Llama 3.1 8B | Seedance 2.5, Qwen-Image-3.0 |
| Speed | ~33 tok/s on DeepSeek V4 Pro (FP4) | Unknown |
| Price | From $0.02 per 1M | Images from fractions of a cent |
| Customization | No managed fine-tuning | Fine-tuned diffusion checkpoints |
| Deployment | Shared API, no contracts | Unified API, raw GPUs |
| Long context | 66K on FP4 DeepSeek V4 Pro | Not applicable |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between DeepInfra and Runware?
Runware is a low-cost media generation API across image, video, audio and 3D. DeepInfra is a low-cost text host. Both compete on price, in different modalities.
When should I choose DeepInfra over Runware?
LLM chat and text processing at floor prices; The text layer of a media app; Bulk extraction and synthetic data jobs.
When should I choose Runware over DeepInfra?
High-volume image and short video generation; Running community or fine-tuned diffusion checkpoints; One request schema across image, video, audio and 3D.
Is DeepInfra or Runware cheaper?
DeepInfra: From $0.02 per 1M. Runware: Images from fractions of a cent. The cheaper choice depends on the model and workload.
Which has more context, DeepInfra or Runware?
DeepInfra: 66K on FP4 DeepSeek V4 Pro. Runware: Not applicable.
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