# Video outpainting vs Runway Expand Ratio.
Choose by the footage and controls.

> Both workflows expand the canvas around video. This comparison separates our recorded app results from Runway’s documented features; it is not a comparative rendering benchmark.

Source: https://videooutpainting.com/video-outpainting-vs-runway-expand-ratio · Updated: 2026-10-09 · Publisher: Video Outpainting (independent; not affiliated with Lightricks)

## Which video expansion workflow should I use?

Our current LTX 2.3 workflow is an option for a short MP4 when you need portrait or landscape output and can review a silent, regenerated result. Runway Edit Studio documents a longer input window and a keyframe-preview step before video generation. Choose using your source length, preview needs and preservation requirements. Neither our three demos nor a competitor’s documentation proves that a new clip will retain every original detail.

## Documented controls and the current app preset

| Decision | This outpainting workflow | Runway Expand Ratio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Input length | MP4 up to 5 seconds and 4 MiB | More than 2 seconds, less than 30 seconds; longer uploads are trimmed |
| Before generating | Original-video preview and a fixed credit quote | Edit a keyframe and preview its expanded composition |
| Output controls | 16:9 or 9:16; fixed 121-frame preset | Change to a supported aspect ratio in Edit Studio |
| Model | LTX 2.3 quality spatial outpaint through fal | Aleph 2.0, according to the help page |
| Evidence here | Three published source/result pairs with file metadata | Public documentation; no competitor render purchased |

Runway details were checked on October 9, 2026 in the [Runway Expand Ratio documentation](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/52264567609363-Expanding-a-video-s-aspect-ratio-with-Edit-Studio). Our limits come from the current upload validation and [recorded files](https://videooutpainting.com/video-outpainting-test-methodology).

## Unbranded bottle: source and outpainted result

Play both complete clips. The source is AI-generated footage from our own published library, not a customer case or camera recording. Source clips contain generated audio; the outpainted results are silent. These are individual jobs, not a success-rate benchmark.

### Unbranded bottle · source

[Original AI-generated unbranded bottle clip before spatial outpainting](https://videooutpainting.com/media/product-source.mp4)

Original 720×1280 source, about 5.04 seconds, 30 fps with generated audio. It is shown at its native aspect ratio.

- Dimensions: 720 × 1280

- Duration: 5.038005 s; generated: 2026-09-29T23:56:20.487Z

- Poster: https://videooutpainting.com/media/product-source.jpg

[Original Wan3Prime source file](https://wan3prime.com/media/perfume-drops.mp4)

### Unbranded bottle · outpainted result

[Actual unbranded bottle outpainting result, with generated space around the source](https://videooutpainting.com/media/product-portrait-to-landscape.mp4)

1280×704, 121 frames at 24 fps, silent. Inspect the original subject as well as the added environment. The source region can change; no exact-pixel preservation is promised.

- Dimensions: 1280 × 704

- Duration: 5.041667 s; generated: 2026-10-07T23:21:25.084Z

- Poster: https://videooutpainting.com/media/product-portrait-to-landscape.jpg

[Parameters and recorded-job manifest](https://videooutpainting.com/media/outpainting-evidence.json)

## Compare the cost of the complete task

Our job costs 70 Wan3Prime credits. The $15 one-time pack includes 1,500 credits, so a job uses $0.70 of that pack’s balance; the checkout itself is $15. A $9.90 monthly plan is a separate recurring option. There is no free generation tier. Check the [central plans](https://wan3prime.com/pricing) before buying.

Runway documents separate keyframe and video credit charges in the [Runway Expand Ratio documentation](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/52264567609363-Expanding-a-video-s-aspect-ratio-with-Edit-Studio). Credits from different services are different units: comparing only the credit counts does not establish which complete workflow costs less. We have not checked a paid Runway checkout or converted its plan credits into an effective dollar price.

A technical processing failure returns our job credits. A completed result with unwanted visual changes remains charged. A job-credit return and a card-payment refund are different actions; see the [pricing rules](https://videooutpainting.com/pricing).

## Run a fair comparison on your source

1. **Keep one authorized shot** Use the same source and output shape. Keep the original file and record any compression or trimming before either upload.
2. **Record the complete settings** Save prompts, preview choices, duration, frame shape and the charge shown by each service. A different preset is a different comparison.
3. **Review the whole video** Inspect the first, middle and final frames, then play the clip. Look for changed labels, moving landmarks, unstable subjects and seams at the old boundary.
4. **Keep the failures visible** Record artifacts and rejected inputs alongside successful outputs. A selected result does not establish a success rate.

## Expansion workflow questions

### Is this a cheaper Runway alternative?

We have not established that. Our fixed job quote is public, but a fair price comparison needs the other service’s current checkout, keyframe iterations and final video cost.

### Will this preserve my product logo?

Exact logos, fine lettering and original pixels are not guaranteed by this preset. Our bottle example is AI-generated footage, not a branded-label preservation test. Inspect the [product example](https://videooutpainting.com/video-outpainting-product-videos).

### Can I process a longer clip here?

The current upload cap is 5 seconds. Use the [MP4 preparation guide](https://videooutpainting.com/prepare-mp4-for-video-outpainting) to extract the required shot, or choose a service whose verified limits fit your full source.

### Does expand mean making the video longer?

Here it means adding image area around the frame. Temporal extension adds frames before or after a clip. Read the [outpainting and crop comparison](https://videooutpainting.com/video-outpainting-vs-crop) before choosing a workflow.

## Check the evidence, then process

Inspect the [test methodology](https://videooutpainting.com/video-outpainting-test-methodology), [preservation and audio limits](https://videooutpainting.com/video-outpainting-limitations), then choose [portrait-to-landscape](https://videooutpainting.com/video-outpainting-portrait-to-landscape) or [landscape-to-portrait](https://videooutpainting.com/video-outpainting-landscape-to-portrait). Processing, sign-in and credits are at the [Wan3Prime outpainting workspace](https://wan3prime.com/video-outpainting).