Runbase uses a prepaid balance system. You top up your balance, and each generation run deducts from it.
Balance
All costs are measured in micro-USD (1 USD = 1,000,000 micro-USD). Your dashboard shows the balance in USD for readability.
Balance is consumed when a run is created — the cost is reserved upfront. If the run fails, the full cost is automatically refunded to your balance.
Top-up packs
Top up your balance from Settings → Credits:
| Pack | Price | Balance | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $1.00 | $1.00 | — |
| $10 | $10.00 | $10.00 | — |
| $50 | $50.00 | $50.00 | — |
| $100 | $100.00 | $101.00 | 1% |
| $200 | $200.00 | $203.00 | 1.5% |
| $300 | $300.00 | $306.00 | 2% |
Regular top-up packs are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. The starter pack is valid for 30 days and limited to one purchase per account.
Payment methods
Payments are processed through Stripe. Accepted methods include:
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express
- Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Alipay, WeChat Pay
- UnionPay
Pricing by model
Each model has its own pricing. Some charge a flat rate per run, others charge based on output resolution or video duration. See the pricing section on each model's detail page for exact costs.
Cost types:
- Fixed — flat per-run cost regardless of parameters
- Lookup — cost varies by a parameter (e.g., resolution or quality tier)
- Per-second — rate multiplied by the output duration (video models)
Automatic refunds
If a run fails for any reason, the full cost is refunded to your balance instantly. You only pay for successful generations.
Low-balance alerts
Set up a low-balance email alert from Settings → Credits so you're notified before running out of balance.
Referral rewards
Invite other developers through Settings → Referrals:
- You earn $0.40 when someone signs up with your link
- You earn $2.00 when they make their first purchase
- They receive $0.20 in free balance on signup