Synthesia vs HeyGen
Synthesia and HeyGen are two of the ai video tools people compare most — but they're built for different users. Synthesia has a free plan (paid from $18 USD/mo) and is best for l&d teams and businesses producing training and corporate videos at scale, while HeyGen has a free plan (paid from $24 USD/mo) and suits creators and marketers making fast avatar videos and multilingual translations.
The main trade-offs: HeyGen covers more of the features we track (10 of 10 vs 9), Synthesia is cheaper to start. Weighing it all up, HeyGen is the better fit for most people — with Synthesia pulling ahead for l&d teams and businesses producing training and corporate videos at scale.
Synthesia
★★★★★★★★★★4.72,375+ reviews · G2Turn text into studio-quality AI avatar videos in 140+ languages.
USD/mo
HeyGen
★★★★★★★★★★4.81,589+ reviews · G2Create AI avatar and video translation content fast, with a free tier to start.
USD/mo
For most people, HeyGen is the better choice — but Synthesia wins for specific needs.
Key differences
- Synthesia is cheaper to start ($18 USD/mo vs $24 USD/mo).
- HeyGen is notably stronger on value for money (8.2 vs 7.8).
- HeyGen covers more of the tracked features (10 vs 9).
Full comparison
The winning option in each row is highlighted in green.
| Criteria | Synthesia | HeyGen |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | ★★★★★★★★★★4.7 | ★★★★★★★★★★4.8 |
| Starting price | $18 USD/mo | $24 USD/mo |
| Free trial | Free tier (Basic, no card required) | Free tier (3 videos/mo) |
| Integrations | SCORM, LMS, PowerPoint, API, Zapier | API, Zapier, webhooks, social publishing |
| Affiliate commission | 25% recurring commission, 60-day cookie (via Rewardful) | Up to ~25% recurring commission (affiliate program) |
| Best for | L&D teams and businesses producing training and corporate videos at scale | Creators and marketers making fast avatar videos and multilingual translations |
| Ease of use | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Value for money | 7.8 | 8.2 |
| Features | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Support | 8.2 | 8.0 |
| Text-to-video | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| AI avatars | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| AI voice / TTS | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Auto subtitles | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Stock library | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Templates | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Team seats | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| API access | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Free tier | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| 4K export | — No | ✓ Yes |
Pricing plans
The main paid tiers for each tool (billed annually where applicable).
Synthesia
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
HeyGen
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
Pros & cons
Synthesia
- Largest avatar library with highly realistic, multilingual presenters (140+ languages)
- Excellent for training/L&D with templates, SCORM and LMS export
- Top-rated ease of use and strong G2 standing
- Monthly video minutes are limited on lower tiers
- Avatars can occasionally feel slightly robotic for non-corporate use
HeyGen
- Real free tier and affordable Creator plan with unlimited video output
- Excellent video translation and lip-sync across 175+ languages
- Highest G2 rating among avatar tools, very easy to use
- Premium avatar minutes limited by monthly credits
- 4K and advanced features locked to higher tiers
Which one should you pick?
Choose Synthesia if…
Best for l&d teams and businesses producing training and corporate videos at scale. Synthesia is the market leader for AI avatar videos, ideal for training and corporate communications. Avatars are polished and multilingual, though entry minutes are limited and it is overkill for casual creators.
Choose HeyGen if…
Best for creators and marketers making fast avatar videos and multilingual translations. HeyGen pairs lifelike avatars with standout video translation and a genuine free tier. It is fast and creator-friendly, though premium avatar minutes are credit-gated on higher plans.
Frequently asked questions
Is Synthesia or HeyGen better?
Overall we lean toward HeyGen for most users, but Synthesia is the better fit for l&d teams and businesses producing training and corporate videos at scale.
Which is cheaper, Synthesia or HeyGen?
Synthesia is cheaper to start at $18 USD/mo, compared with $24 USD/mo for HeyGen.
Which is easier to use for beginners?
Synthesia scores higher on ease of use (9.0/10), making it the friendlier choice if you're just getting started.
Can I try Synthesia and HeyGen before paying?
Synthesia: Free tier (Basic, no card required). HeyGen: Free tier (3 videos/mo). We recommend trialling your top pick before committing.
Does Synthesia or HeyGen have a free plan?
Yes — both Synthesia and HeyGen offer a free plan, so you can start with either at no cost and upgrade only when you need to.
Which is better value for money, Synthesia or HeyGen?
HeyGen scores higher on value in our review (8.2/10) — it gives you more for what you pay. Weigh that against the features you'll actually use.
Is there a free version of Synthesia?
Yes, a free plan with a small monthly minute allowance lets you test avatars before upgrading.
Does HeyGen have a free plan?
Yes, the free plan allows up to 3 short watermarked videos per month.
The bottom line
For most people weighing up Synthesia vs HeyGen, HeyGen is the stronger all-round pick — best for creators and marketers making fast avatar videos and multilingual translations, and backed by a 4.8/5 rating. Go with Synthesia instead for l&d teams and businesses producing training and corporate videos at scale. Best of all you can start free with HeyGen and see if it fits before paying a cent.
→ See Synthesia alternatives→ Read the full Synthesia review