Synthesia vs HeyGen

Two good tools for different people. Here is who each one is for, what you give up, and a quick test to decide before you pay.

Updated 23 October 2026 · Based on official product information, not a hands-on test · How we compare

The short answer

CHOOSE SYNTHESIA IFSynthesia

Teams making training, onboarding and explainer videos without filming.

CHOOSE HEYGEN IFHeyGen

Creators and marketers making short avatar videos and video translations.

	Synthesia	HeyGen
Best for	Teams making training, onboarding and explainer videos without filming	Creators and marketers making short avatar videos and video translations
What it is	AI video platform that turns a script into a presenter-style video with AI avatars and voices in 140+ languages.	AI video platform for avatar videos, voice cloning and translating existing videos into other languages.
Cost	Free plan: 10 min of video a month, watermarked. Starter $29/mo, Pro $89/mo (billed monthly). Yearly prices not shown.	Free plan: 3 videos a month, up to 1 min each, watermarked. Creator $29/mo ($24/mo billed yearly), Pro $49/mo, Business $149/mo.
Learning curve	Beginner	Beginner
Strengths	Free plan with 10 minutes of video a month 140+ languages and voices; AI dubbing that keeps the speaker’s voice Built for business video: templates, interactive videos, SCORM export on Enterprise	Free plan: 3 videos a month, up to 1 minute each Video translation into 175+ languages and dialects Creator plan allows videos up to 30 minutes
Watch out for	Monthly minute limits (Starter is about 12 minutes on top of the free allowance) Free-plan videos carry a Synthesia watermark Brand kits, SSO and SCORM export are Enterprise features	Free-plan videos are watermarked Credit-based plans: check how many credits your videos use SSO, brand kit and SCORM start on the Business plan ($149/mo)
Try it	Try Synthesia free ↗	Check current pricing on the official site.

Write one real 60-second script you need.
Generate it on both free plans, in your main language and one other.
Show both videos to someone in your audience and check pronunciation and lip-sync.
Estimate your monthly minutes and check which plan covers them, including watermark removal.

Is Synthesia or HeyGen cheaper?

Both sit in a similar cost range (mid). Compare the exact plan you would need at your size, including renewal prices.

Which is easier for beginners?

Both are aimed at beginner users. Try the same small task on each and pick the one that feels faster.

Can I switch from Synthesia to HeyGen later?

Usually yes, but plan for it: check how you export your data, what must be rebuilt by hand, and whether you lose history or settings.