Synthesia vs HeyGen: which AI avatar video tool?
We may earn a commission from some links. It never changes our picks. How we make money
We may earn a commission from some links. It never changes our picks. How we make money
Both turn a written script into a video with a realistic AI presenter. The real difference is the kind of video you make: structured training and explainers, or short marketing and social clips.
Start with Synthesia if…
You make training, onboarding, compliance or explainer videos, often from slides, and may need many languages or an LMS export.
Start with HeyGen if…
You make short marketing, sales or social videos, want photo avatars, or need to translate existing videos.
A useful first comparison
Write a 150-word script (about one minute). Make it on both free plans with a similar presenter. Watch both on a phone, check pronunciation of names and numbers, and note the watermark and how long editing took.
EDITORIAL GUIDANCE · NOT A HANDS-ON BENCHMARK| At a glance | SynthesiaVideo | HeyGenVideo |
|---|---|---|
| A useful fit for | Training and explainer videos without filming | Explainer videos from a script |
| In plain English | Turn a script or slides into a presenter-style video with AI avatars and voices. | Create presenter-style videos using avatars and AI video tools. |
| Getting started | Free plan | Free plan |
| Learning curve | A little exploration | A little exploration |
| What to watch | Free videos carry a watermark and paid plans use credits; check avatar and content rules. | Free videos and premium features are limited; review avatar and voice permissions. |
| Paid pricing | Check current plans ↗ (opens in new tab) Prices, currency and tax vary by location. | Check current plans ↗ (opens in new tab) Prices, currency and tax vary by location. |
| Our first-step suggestion | Try Synthesia on one small make a video task. Review the result before upgrading. | Try HeyGen on one small make a video task. Review the result before upgrading. |
| Next step | Paid link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn’t change our recommendations. Affiliate disclosureTry Synthesia ↗ (opens in new tab) | Try HeyGen ↗ (opens in new tab) |
Two tools, two kinds of video
Synthesia (opens in new tab) (paid link: we may earn a commission) and HeyGen look similar: pick an avatar, type a script, export a video. Synthesia is designed around workplace video, such as training modules, onboarding, product how-tos and internal updates. HeyGen leans towards marketing and social content, with a large stock avatar library, photo avatars and video translation. Both are good products; the right one depends on what you make.
Side-by-side comparison
| Synthesia | HeyGen | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Training, onboarding, explainers | Marketing, sales and social clips |
| Free plan | 10 minutes of video a month, watermarked | 3 videos a month, up to 1 minute each |
| Languages | 140+ languages and voices | Video translation into 175+ languages and dialects on paid plans |
| Slides | Import PowerPoint | Templates and scenes |
| Learning systems | SCORM export on higher plans | MP4 export |
| Custom avatars | Personal avatars available | Photo avatars and custom avatars on paid plans |
| Credits | Credits used across features | Credits used across features |
Who each is best for
Synthesia: best for training and explainers
If your videos teach something, Synthesia fits. You can turn an existing slide deck into a presenter-led video, update it by editing the script when a process changes, and produce versions in other languages. Higher plans add SCORM export, so videos can be tracked in a learning management system. The free plan’s 10 minutes a month is enough to build a real short module before paying. See our best AI training video software.
HeyGen: best for marketing and social clips
If your videos sell or promote something, HeyGen fits. It has a large stock avatar library, photo avatars that animate a still image, and translation of existing videos into many languages. The free plan is tighter (three one-minute videos a month), but its Creator plan is competitively priced for individuals and small marketing teams.
Pricing in plain English
| Plan | Synthesia | HeyGen |
|---|---|---|
| Free | US$0: 10 min video/month, watermark | US$0: 3 videos/month, up to 1 min each |
| Entry | Starter: US$29/month, or US$18/month billed yearly | Creator: US$29/month, or US$24/month billed annually |
| Next tier | Pro: US$89/month, or US$64/month billed yearly | Pro: from US$49/month |
| Teams | Enterprise: custom | Business: US$149/month plus US$20 per extra seat |
Prices checked on 14 October 2026 from the official pricing pages (synthesia.io/pricing and heygen.com/pricing). Prices are shown as listed, usually in US dollars (USD). Australian GST and currency conversion may apply, and plans change often, so check current pricing on the provider’s site before you pay.
On annual billing, Synthesia Starter (US$18 a month) is cheaper than HeyGen Creator (US$24). At the ECB reference rate for 13 October 2026 (1 USD ≈ 1.43 AUD), US$29 a month is roughly AU$42 before GST; your card rate will differ. Both use credits across features, so longer videos, dubbing and advanced avatars use more. Estimate your monthly minutes before choosing a plan.
Pros and cons
Synthesia
✓ Pros
- Built for training, onboarding and explainers
- Free plan includes 10 minutes of video a month
- PowerPoint import and 140+ languages and voices
- SCORM export on higher plans
↳ Cons
- Watermark on free videos
- Credits used across features
- Fewer marketing-style features than HeyGen
- AI presenters may not suit every audience
HeyGen
✓ Pros
- Large stock avatar library
- Photo avatars and video translation
- Creator plan competitively priced
- Good for short social and marketing clips
↳ Cons
- Free videos limited to one minute and three a month
- Credits used across features
- Custom avatars and voice clones need consent
- AI presenters may not suit every audience
Consent and honesty
Only create custom avatars or voice clones of yourself or of people who have given clear written permission. Don’t use AI presenters to impersonate real people or mislead viewers, and tell audiences when a presenter is AI-generated if they could assume otherwise. Check each provider’s content rules and commercial-use terms for your plan.
Do you need an avatar at all?
Often a simpler tool works better. Record yourself and edit in Descript, or narrate slides with ElevenLabs. See our HeyGen alternatives and best AI avatar video generators.
Our verdict
Choose Synthesia for training, onboarding and explainer videos: it has the more generous free plan for testing and the features learning teams need. Choose HeyGen for short marketing and social clips, photo avatars and translating existing videos. If you’re unsure, make the same one-minute video on both free plans.
Frequently asked questions
Is Synthesia or HeyGen better?
Synthesia is usually better for training, onboarding and explainer videos. HeyGen is usually better for short marketing and social clips, photo avatars and video translation.
Which is cheaper, Synthesia or HeyGen?
Both were US$29 a month on monthly billing when we checked. On annual billing Synthesia Starter was US$18 a month and HeyGen Creator US$24 a month. GST and currency conversion may apply.
Do Synthesia and HeyGen have free plans?
Yes. Synthesia’s free plan includes 10 minutes of watermarked video a month. HeyGen’s includes three videos a month of up to one minute each.
Can I use Synthesia videos in my LMS?
Synthesia offers SCORM export on higher plans. You can also download MP4 files to upload elsewhere.
Can I make an avatar of myself?
Both offer personal or custom avatars. Only create avatars or voice clones of yourself or people who have given clear permission.
How much is Synthesia in Australian dollars?
Synthesia lists prices in USD. Starter at US$29 a month is roughly AU$42 at the ECB reference rate for 13 October 2026, before GST. Your card’s rate will differ.
Popular AI tool comparisons
Start with a specific decision, then explore the differences in plain English.
Prices in US dollars; Australian GST and currency conversion may apply. Confirm the final price at checkout.
This page includes paid links (we may earn a commission if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you). It doesn’t change our recommendations. Read our affiliate disclosure.