Description: Runway is replacing legacy Unlimited subscriptions with Max. Find out whether your plan moves automatically, what happens to Explore Mode, how 9,500 credits work, and what annual subscribers can choose.
Eligible legacy Runway Unlimited subscriptions remain active through November 30, 2026. Monthly subscribers are scheduled to move automatically to Max on that date at the same $95 monthly price. Annual subscribers have a different decision: Runway says they can choose a refund for their remaining annual term or a credit bonus to migrate, with details communicated in November.[1]
The important trade-off: Explore Mode versus a bigger credit balance
| Feature | Legacy Unlimited | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly included credits | 2,250 | 9,500 |
| Explore Mode | Available on eligible Runway models | Removed |
| Generation workflow | Slower, traffic-dependent Explore generations or paid-credit mode | On-demand generation using credits |
| Monthly credit rollover | No standard rollover | Up to one month's unused credits |
| New subscriptions | Closed since June 2026 | Available |
The word “Unlimited” was never a promise that every model and every feature cost zero credits. Explore Mode covered supported Runway generations at a relaxed rate, subject to queues and simultaneous-job restrictions. Third-party models and other tools could still use the plan's 2,250 monthly credits.[6]
Max has about 4.2 times the included credits, but it is not an unlimited-generation plan. Video duration, model selection and audio options affect how quickly 9,500 credits disappear. The better question is whether your real monthly projects fit within that allowance, not whether 9,500 sounds large.[2][3]
Monthly or annual: what happens to your payment?
For an existing monthly Unlimited subscription, Runway says the November 30 conversion keeps the $95-per-month price. Cancel before the transition if you do not want to continue, checking your account's cancellation and billing status. Annual subscribers should look for the November notice explaining the remaining-term refund and the bonus-credit migration option. Runway's public article does not publish a universal bonus amount or a single deadline for every annual subscriber.[1][4]
There are two official dates worth distinguishing: a plan-selection guide says Max was offered to new subscribers from May 29, while the migration notice describes its June 1 rollout and the end of new Unlimited sign-ups. For the deadline that matters to existing subscribers, the migration notice was updated August 27 and explicitly extends eligible legacy access to November 30. Earlier reports mentioning August 31 describe an older schedule.[1][5]
When do Max credits reset?
Paid-plan credits refresh monthly around your billing date, within 24 hours according to Runway's billing guide, even if you pay annually. Max can carry forward up to one month's unused plan credits. Separately purchased credits do not expire; monthly plan credits are spent first. The exact upcoming reset timestamp is available under Plans and Billing.[3][4]
Runway's Free plan provides 125 credits once, not 125 new credits every month. Standard and Pro subscribers do not automatically become Max customers because of this migration. For prices outside the United States, use the checkout amount for your country, currency and taxes rather than converting the advertised $95 as if it were a guaranteed local charge.[3][7]
Bottom line
If you depend on Explore Mode for dozens of low-priority experiments, the switch changes your workflow even though the included credit number rises sharply. Monthly legacy subscribers should review their automatic November 30 change; annual subscribers should compare the individual refund and bonus-credit offer. Status checked October 17, 2026.
References (1)
[1] Runway, “Unlimited plan is switching to Max” (updated 2026-08-27): https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/52068047744019-Unlimited-plan-is-switching-to-Max [2] Runway, “Max plan details”: https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/52067870667411-Max-plan-details [3] Runway, “How do credits work?”: https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/15124877443219-How-do-credits-work [4] Runway, “Managing your subscription”: https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/50205612565779-Managing-your-subscription [5] Runway, “Which plan is right for me?”: https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/21664961171475-Which-plan-is-right-for-me [6] Runway, “Why does the Unlimited plan have credits?” (updated 2026-08-27): https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37309724921747-Why-does-the-Unlimited-plan-have-credits [7] Runway, pricing (checked 2026-10-17): https://runway.com/pricing
