Synthesia vs HeyGen

Synthesia and HeyGen are both AI Video Creation tools (Virtual Avatars). Below: what each costs, what it does well, its biggest catches, and who should pick which, all from public sources rather than our own testing.

Side by side

SynthesiaHeyGen
CategoryAI Video Creation · Virtual AvatarsAI Video Creation · Virtual Avatars
PricingFree tier: yes (500 credits/mo, watermark). Starter $29/mo, Pro $89/mo. (checked Oct 10, 2026)Free tier: yes (3 videos/mo). Creator $29/mo (600 credits), Pro $49/mo. (checked Oct 10, 2026)
Pros
  • AI avatar videos without cameras or studios
  • Dubbing, surveys and roleplay training all draw from one credit pool
  • The free Basic plan includes 500 credits a month to test with
  • Strong AI avatar video and translation
  • The free plan gives 3 videos/month (up to 1 min) with Avatar IV access
  • 500+ stock avatars
Catches
  • Free videos carry a Synthesia watermark, and you need a paid plan to download
  • Starter is $29/mo (billed monthly) for about 12 minutes of video
  • The credit math changes by feature, so budget carefully
  • Avatar IV/V uses 20 credits per minute, so Creator's 600 credits go fast (per reviews)
  • Failed renders can still use credits, and users report hidden caps
  • Trustpilot sits around 2.3/5 over billing and support, despite high G2 scores
Best forL&D and internal-comms teams making training videos at scale.Marketers making talking-head and localized videos.
Skip it ifYou need natural on-camera personality for social content.You need transparent billing and responsive support.

Which should you pick?

Pick Synthesia if…

you fit this: L&D and internal-comms teams making training videos at scale.

But not if: you need natural on-camera personality for social content.

Watch out for: Free videos carry a Synthesia watermark, and you need a paid plan to download.

Pick HeyGen if…

you fit this: marketers making talking-head and localized videos.

But not if: you need transparent billing and responsive support.

Watch out for: Avatar IV/V uses 20 credits per minute, so Creator's 600 credits go fast (per reviews)

More options

Sources

Synthesia

HeyGen

Pros, catches and prices are compiled from public sources (official pricing and docs pages, published reviews, user reports), not hands-on testing. Prices change often, so check the vendor page before you buy.