HeyGen vs Synthesia
Updated Jun 11, 2026 · pricing verified for both tools
Choose HeyGen if your priority is video translation and dubbing across 175+ languages or you want the lowest paid entry point ($29/mo with 1080p and voice cloning). Choose Synthesia if you need SCORM export for an LMS, built-in analytics, or a structured free tier with 10 minutes of video per month. Both support API access and personal avatar creation; HeyGen wins on price and language breadth, Synthesia wins for L&D infrastructure.
Side by side
| Dimension | HeyGen | Synthesia |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free; paid from $29/mo (Creator) | Free; paid from $18/mo annual / $29/mo monthly (Starter) |
| Free tier | 3 videos/month, max 1 min each, 1 digital twin | ✓ 10 minutes/month, 9 stock avatars, up to 3 personal avatars |
| Language support | ✓ 175+ languages with lip-sync dubbing | 160+ languages for new video; 140+ for AI Dubbing |
| LMS / SCORM | LMS integrations on Business plan ($149/mo); no SCORM export | ✓ SCORM export on Enterprise; analytics on all paid plans |
| Avatar library | Photo avatars, public avatars, digital twins; 4K on Pro ($49/mo) | ✓ 240+ stock AI avatars; personal avatars up to 5 on Creator ($89/mo) |
| Platforms | Web, API | Web, API |
| API access | Available on all paid plans | Available from Starter ($18/mo annual) upward |
Pricing, verified
HeyGen
FREEMIUM| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0 |
| Creator | $29/mo |
| Pro | $49/mo |
| Business | $149/mo |
| Enterprise | Contact sales |
Synthesia
FREEMIUM| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic | Free |
| Starter | $29/mo |
| Creator | $89/mo |
| Enterprise | Custom |
When to pick HeyGen
- You need multilingual video at scale. HeyGen’s lip-sync dubbing covers 175+ languages at 5 credits per minute, broader than Synthesia’s 140-language AI Dubbing ceiling, and it preserves the original speaker’s voice and tone — without requiring separate recording sessions per locale.
- You want the lowest paid entry point. The Creator plan at $29/month includes 1080p export, voice cloning, and 600 credits — more capability per dollar than Synthesia’s $29/month Starter, which caps at 10 minutes of video per month.
- You want to integrate other AI tools in one place. HeyGen embeds Sora, Veo, Kling, Flux, and ElevenLabs directly in its editor, reducing the number of separate subscriptions needed for a full video production workflow.
When to pick Synthesia
- Your team distributes training via an LMS. Synthesia’s SCORM export (Enterprise) and analytics dashboard with scene-level drop-off tracking are built explicitly for L&D workflows — HeyGen has LMS integrations on its Business plan ($149/mo) but does not offer SCORM export.
- You want a more generous free tier for evaluation. Synthesia’s free Basic plan gives 10 minutes of video per month with 9 stock avatars and up to 3 personal avatars — more than HeyGen’s 3 videos at 1 minute each, which is insufficient for any production evaluation.
- You need a larger stock avatar library. Synthesia offers 240+ pre-built AI avatars at Enterprise tier and 180+ on the Creator plan ($89/mo), compared to HeyGen’s public avatar pool; useful when teams need visual variety without creating custom digital twins.
Bottom line
HeyGen and Synthesia occupy the same category — text-to-avatar video — but optimize for different buyers. HeyGen is the stronger choice for teams whose core need is multilingual dubbing and localization, and for individuals or small teams who want full-featured video production without exceeding a $29/month budget. Synthesia is better suited to corporate L&D teams who need SCORM compatibility, built-in engagement analytics, and a structured free tier that supports meaningful evaluation before committing to a paid plan. Neither platform is appropriate for cinematic or premium brand work — both produce avatar-based video that is functional but visibly artificial at close range.
Frequently asked questions
Is HeyGen better than Synthesia?
Choose HeyGen if your priority is video translation and dubbing across 175+ languages or you want the lowest paid entry point ($29/mo with 1080p and voice cloning). Choose Synthesia if you need SCORM export for an LMS, built-in analytics, or a structured free tier with 10 minutes of video per month. Both support API access and personal avatar creation; HeyGen wins on price and language breadth, Synthesia wins for L&D infrastructure. Updated Jun 11, 2026.
Is HeyGen cheaper than Synthesia?
No — Synthesia has the lower starting price: $18/mo versus $29/mo for HeyGen. Both prices were verified against the official pricing pages on Jun 11, 2026.
Do HeyGen and Synthesia have free tiers?
Yes — both do. HeyGen has a free tier (the Free plan). Synthesia has a free tier (the Basic plan).
Can I use HeyGen and Synthesia on mobile or via an API?
HeyGen runs on the web and offers an API. Synthesia runs on the web and offers an API.