HeyGen vs Synthesia
Video & Animation
Generate AI videos from your ideas using HeyGen. Input text, image, or audio to create complete videos with narration, captions, visuals, and animations.
Video & Animation
Official Synthesia site. The AI video platform trusted by 90%+ of the Fortune 100 to communicate, train, and upskill teams in 160+ languages.
At a glance
| HeyGen | Synthesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $29/month | $19/month |
| Category | Video & Animation | Video & Animation |
| Best for | Creating training and onboarding videos without filming | L&D teams producing training and onboarding videos |
Prices come from each official site and can change. Check the official pricing pages before subscribing.
Key features
HeyGen
- AI avatar videos from a script with 700+ stock avatars (paid)
- Custom Video Avatar with your own voice and likeness
- Video translation and lip-sync in 175+ languages and dialects
- Video Agent and Avatar IV/V avatar engines
- PowerPoint and PDF import into the AI Studio editor
- 1080p export on Creator, 4K export on Pro
- SCORM export and LMS integrations on Business
Synthesia
- AI avatar videos generated from text scripts
- 140+ languages and voices, including regional accents
- AI dubbing with voice preservation and optional lip-sync
- Personal avatars (digital twins) on Pro and Enterprise
- Syren AI video agent that drafts videos from a description
- Interactive videos with CTAs, branching, quizzes and surveys
- PowerPoint import, AI screen recorder and API access
Pros
HeyGen
- Free plan includes Avatar IV, Video Agent and one custom avatar
- Large library of stock avatars and 1,000+ AI voices
- Translation covers 175+ languages and dialects on paid plans
- Credits roll over for one month on monthly plans
Synthesia
- No camera, studio or actors needed to produce presenter-style videos
- Free Basic plan includes 10 minutes of video or dubbing per month
- Broad language and voice coverage for localization
- Yearly billing saves up to four months
Cons
HeyGen
- Free videos are watermarked, capped at 3 per month and 1 minute each
- Creator plan exports top out at 1080p; 4K requires Pro
- Team features and SSO start at $149/month on Business
- Avatars can still look less natural than real footage in some scenes
Synthesia
- Free videos carry a Synthesia watermark, and downloads require a paid plan
- Credit system shared across video, dubbing and surveys can be confusing
- Full avatar library and 1-click translation are Enterprise-only
- Avatar videos can look less natural than real footage for some uses
Which one should you choose?
Choose HeyGen if you need
- Creating training and onboarding videos without filming
- Localizing marketing videos into other languages
- Producing personalized sales outreach videos
- Solo creators publishing talking-head content
Choose Synthesia if you need
- L&D teams producing training and onboarding videos
- Companies localizing videos into many languages with dubbing
- Marketers creating product explainers without filming
- Sales and support teams making personalized video messages at scale
HeyGen vs Synthesia: FAQ
Is HeyGen better than Synthesia?
Neither is better for everyone. HeyGen: Generate AI videos from your ideas using HeyGen. Input text, image, or audio to create complete videos with narration, captions, visuals, and animations. Synthesia: Official Synthesia site. The AI video platform trusted by 90%+ of the Fortune 100 to communicate, train, and upskill teams in 160+ languages. Pick HeyGen for creating training and onboarding videos without filming, and Synthesia for l&D teams producing training and onboarding videos.
Which is cheaper, HeyGen or Synthesia?
Synthesia's paid plans start at $19/month, compared with $29/month for HeyGen, based on each official pricing page at the last update. Limits differ between plans, so compare what each tier includes.
Do HeyGen and Synthesia have free plans?
Yes, both offer free access with usage limits. Paid plans raise those limits and add features.