HeyGen vs Synthesia
Pick HeyGen if you are a creator or marketer who wants convincing avatars and fast video translation; pick Synthesia if you are making training and internal videos for a company that needs team features and polish. Both entry plans start around $29/mo on monthly billing, with lower annual rates. HeyGen is the scrappy one, Synthesia wears the suit.
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| HeyGen | Synthesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overlord Score | 8.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Best for | Faceless talking-head videos, Translating videos into other languages | Corporate training videos, Internal communications |
| Starting price | $29/mo | $18/mo (billed annually) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Creator about $29/mo (about $24 annual); free tier with watermark. | Starter about $29/mo (about $18 annual). |
| Best for | Marketing, sales and faceless creator videos. | Corporate training and internal communications. |
| Translation | Video translation with lip-sync. | Wide language support for multilingual explainers. |
| Avatars | Stock and custom avatars; very convincing. | Large library of professional avatars. |
| Teams | Business plan priced per seat. | Collaboration, brand kits and enterprise features. |
| Billing | Credits run out quickly on long videos. | Pricing geared toward businesses. |
HeyGen or Synthesia: which should you choose?
Choose HeyGen if…
Choose HeyGen if you make marketing or social videos, want to translate existing videos with lip-sync, or need a custom avatar of yourself.
Try HeyGen →Choose Synthesia if…
Choose Synthesia if you produce training or internal videos for a team and want brand kits, collaboration and a corporate-safe look.
Try Synthesia →HeyGen vs Synthesia pricing
HeyGen
- Free Free
- Creator $29/mo
- Pro $49/mo
- Business $149/mo
- Enterprise Custom
Yes. HeyGen's free plan gives you 3 videos a month, each up to 1 minute, exported at up to 1080p, with no credit card required.
Full HeyGen pricing →Synthesia
- Basic Free
- Starter $29/mo
- Pro $89/mo
- Enterprise Custom
Yes. The free Basic plan gives 500 credits a month (about 10 minutes of video) and 9 stock avatars, but videos carry a Synthesia watermark and can't be downloaded.
Full Synthesia pricing →Strengths and weaknesses
HeyGen
The fastest way to make talking-head videos without showing your face. Ideal for marketing, training, and translated content at scale.
Strengths
- Very convincing avatars
- Translation feature is a huge time saver
- Easy for non-editors
Weaknesses
- Credits run out quickly on long videos
- Avatars can still look stiff in close-ups
Synthesia
The safe corporate choice for AI avatar video. Excellent for training and internal comms, less exciting for scrappy creators.
Strengths
- Polished, professional output
- Strong team and enterprise features
- Wide language support
Weaknesses
- Less flexible for creative content
- Pricing geared toward businesses
Questions the Humans Keep Asking
Is HeyGen better than Synthesia?
HeyGen is usually preferred by creators and marketers for its avatars and translation; Synthesia is the common pick for corporate training. Neither is better for everyone.
Which is cheaper?
Both start around $29/mo on monthly billing. On annual billing, Synthesia's Starter has been listed lower, but the credit systems differ, so compare cost per finished minute for your use.
Can I make an avatar of myself?
HeyGen supports custom avatars on its plans. Synthesia also offers custom avatars, typically aimed at business customers.