AI Short Video Production · Deepege Editorial Team
HeyGen vs Synthesia: Pricing, Features and Which to Choose
HeyGen vs Synthesia is a comparison of two AI avatar video platforms that do the same core job: you type or upload a script, pick a digital presenter and voice, and export a video without filming. The practical difference is focus. HeyGen's plans are pitched at creators and marketers, with a free tier, a $29 Creator plan and video translation in 175+ languages and dialects on paid plans. Synthesia's plans are built around business and training use, with learner seats, roleplays, surveys and AI dubbing.
Key points (prices and limits checked on the official pricing pages on October 16, 2026):
- Both start at $0 and both have a $29/month entry plan when billed monthly.
- HeyGen bills paid plans in credits shared across features; Synthesia gives every plan 10 free minutes a month and adds credits on top.
- HeyGen lists 175+ languages and dialects for paid plans; Synthesia lists 140+ languages and voices for video, and 70+ dubbing languages on self-serve plans.
- Both list SOC 2 and GDPR compliance, SSO on business tiers and SCORM export for learning platforms.
- The right choice depends on what you make most often, so test the same script in both before you commit.
What is the difference between HeyGen and Synthesia?
The main difference between HeyGen and Synthesia is who the plans are designed for. HeyGen's pricing page is titled "Pricing Plans for Creators and Marketers" and puts features like photo avatars, Avatar IV, voice cloning and video translation up front. Synthesia's pricing page leads with business and training features: shared credits, learner seats for roleplay training, interactive surveys, a multilingual video player and SCORM export.
Both tools cover the core job of turning a script into a presenter-led video. Where they split is in the workflow around that video: who reviews it, where it gets published, and how many languages it needs to reach.
HeyGen vs Synthesia pricing (October 2026)
HeyGen and Synthesia both offer a free plan and a $29/month entry plan billed monthly, but they meter usage differently. HeyGen counts credits, and the number a video uses depends on the AI model, duration and complexity. Synthesia includes 10 minutes of video creation or dubbing every month on every plan and adds credits on top; a typical finished minute uses about 100 credits, according to its FAQ.
| Plan level | HeyGen | Synthesia |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0: 3 videos a month, up to 1 minute each | $0 (Basic): 10 minutes a month of video or dubbing, with a Synthesia watermark |
| Entry paid | Creator, $29/month (or $24/month billed annually), 600 credits | Starter, $29/month billed monthly, 1,250 credits on top of the free allowance |
| Mid tier | Pro, from $49/month, 1,000 credits, 4K export | Pro, $89/month billed monthly or $64/month billed yearly, 6,000 credits |
| Team | Business, $149/month plus $20 per extra seat, 1,500 credits | No separate team plan; Pro includes 1 editor and 5 guests |
| Enterprise | Contact sales | Contact sales |
A few billing details matter when you compare total cost. HeyGen says unused credits on monthly plans roll over for one more month. Synthesia says its monthly allowance and plan credits reset each billing period, and that it does not sell single videos; it is subscription only. Because both companies change plans often, re-check the pricing pages on the day you buy.
Is HeyGen or Synthesia free?
Yes, both have a free plan, and both are best used as a trial rather than for regular publishing. HeyGen's Free plan allows 3 videos a month, each up to 1 minute, with no credit card required, plus limited trial access to Avatar IV, Video Agent and lip-sync translation. Synthesia's Basic plan includes 10 minutes of video creation or dubbing and 500 credits a month, and videos carry a Synthesia watermark.
If you want to compare quality, the free tiers are enough to render the same short script in both tools.
How do HeyGen and Synthesia avatars and voices compare?
HeyGen lists a larger stock library on its pricing page, while Synthesia ties the number of stock avatars to the plan. HeyGen lists 500+ stock video avatars on Free and 700+ on paid plans, 1,000+ AI voices, unlimited photo avatars on paid plans, and one custom video avatar even on the free plan. Synthesia lists 125+ stock avatars on Starter, 180+ on Pro and its full selection (240+) on Enterprise, five personal avatars on Pro, and a filmed Studio Express-1 avatar as a $1,000/year add-on for annual plans.
Both offer voice cloning. Library size is only a starting point: what matters is whether one or two presenters look right for your brand and audience, so shortlist those before comparing counts.
Which is better for video translation and dubbing?
HeyGen lists a longer language list for translation, while Synthesia gives more detail on dubbing controls. HeyGen's paid plans list 175+ languages and dialects (30+ on Free), and its Pro plan adds editing and proofreading of the translated script. Synthesia lists 70+ dubbing languages on Basic, Starter and Pro and 140+ on Enterprise, voice and accent preservation, lip-sync (which uses twice the credits), and a brand glossary for product names and pronunciation. HeyGen's plan comparison also lists a brand glossary and switching voices.
Neither list tells you how well a specific language pair will sound. Translate a 30–60 second clip into your top target language in both tools and have a fluent speaker review it, the same way you would review any localized video (see our video localization guide).
How do they compare for teams, training and security?
Both platforms cover the basics large teams ask for, but they package them differently. HeyGen's Business plan ($149/month plus $20 per seat) lists SAML/SSO, workspace collaboration, SCORM export, LMS integrations and integrations with Zapier, HubSpot, Make and n8n. Synthesia lists SCORM export, a multilingual video player, interactive surveys, roleplay training with learner seats, and SAML/SSO on Enterprise.
On security, HeyGen's security page states SOC 2 Type II certification and GDPR compliance, stores customer data in the United States on AWS, and excludes Enterprise customers' data from AI model training by default. Synthesia's pricing page states SOC 2 and GDPR compliance. SOC 2 is an attestation framework from the AICPA that examines a service organization's controls relevant to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality or privacy (AICPA: SOC suite of services). If your company has a vendor review, ask each provider for the report itself rather than relying on a badge.
HeyGen or Synthesia: which should you choose?
Choose by your most common video type, not by feature count. This is how the published plan details line up with typical needs:
- Short marketing and social videos, solo or small team: HeyGen's Creator plan gives longer videos (up to 30 minutes), voice cloning, photo avatars and 175+ translation languages for $29/month.
- Training and onboarding content that goes into an LMS: Synthesia's learner seats, roleplays, surveys and multilingual player are designed for this; HeyGen's Business plan also exports SCORM.
- Translating existing footage of a real speaker: test both, since HeyGen lists more languages and Synthesia lists voice and accent preservation and glossary controls.
- Large company with procurement and SSO requirements: both offer SSO and state SOC 2 compliance; request the security documents and compare enterprise quotes.
- Still unsure: if neither fits, compare more options in our HeyGen alternatives guide, or in our Synthesia alternatives guide if you are leaving Synthesia.
How do you test HeyGen and Synthesia side by side?
A fair test uses the same inputs in both tools and is judged by someone who will actually publish the video. We suggest this one-week routine:
- Pick one real script of 60–90 seconds that you would publish, including a product name, a number and a call to action.
- Shortlist two presenters and one voice in each tool that fit your brand.
- Render the original language and note how long editing took, not just rendering.
- Translate into your top target language and have a fluent speaker check meaning, names and pronunciation.
- Watch on a phone and a laptop to check lip-sync, captions and on-screen text at real viewing sizes.
- Price your real monthly volume from each pricing page, including seats, add-ons and whether credits roll over.
Keep the outputs and notes. They make the final decision, and the next review, much easier to defend.
Do you need to label AI avatar videos?
Often, yes, depending on where you publish and what the video shows. YouTube requires creators to disclose realistic AI-generated or altered content, such as making a real person appear to say something they did not say, through the "AI use" setting in YouTube Studio; it lists cloning your own voice for voiceovers or dubs as an example that does not need disclosure (YouTube Help: Disclosing use of GenAI content). In the EU, Article 50 of the AI Act requires deployers of AI systems that generate deepfake image, audio or video content to disclose that it has been artificially generated or manipulated (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689).
Whichever tool you use, get written consent before creating an avatar or voice clone of a real person, and keep it on file.
Where does Deepege fit?
Deepege (引擎AI) is a different kind of tool: an AI video marketing and multi-account publishing platform built for Chinese-speaking enterprise teams. Its site describes AI voiceover, automatic subtitles, localized voiceover and digital-human marketing, and lists publishing to channels such as Douyin, Kuaishou and WeChat Channels. It does not publish a price list. If your team mainly needs an English-language avatar studio, HeyGen and Synthesia are the more direct comparison.
Conclusion
HeyGen vs Synthesia comes down to use: HeyGen's plans favor creators and marketers who want avatars, photo avatars and wide translation coverage at a low entry price, while Synthesia's plans favor business and training teams that need learner seats, surveys, dubbing controls and enterprise packaging. Both are free to try, so render the same script in each and let a fluent reviewer decide.
FAQ
Is HeyGen better than Synthesia?
Neither is better for every team. HeyGen's plans are aimed at creators and marketers, with photo avatars, voice cloning and 175+ translation languages on paid plans. Synthesia's plans are built around business and training use, with learner seats, roleplays, surveys and dubbing controls. Test the same script in both.
Which is cheaper, HeyGen or Synthesia?
Both have a free plan and a $29/month entry plan billed monthly (checked October 16, 2026). HeyGen's Creator plan is $24/month billed annually, and its Pro plan starts at $49/month; Synthesia's Pro plan is $89/month billed monthly or $64/month billed yearly. Usage is metered differently, so price your real monthly volume.
Are HeyGen and Synthesia free?
Both have free plans meant for trying the product. HeyGen Free allows 3 videos a month of up to 1 minute each. Synthesia Basic includes 10 minutes of video creation or dubbing a month, and its videos carry a Synthesia watermark.
Which supports more languages?
HeyGen lists 175+ languages and dialects on paid plans and 30+ on Free. Synthesia lists 140+ languages and voices for video creation, and 70+ dubbing languages on self-serve plans (140+ on Enterprise).
Can HeyGen and Synthesia videos be used in an LMS?
Yes. HeyGen lists SCORM export and LMS integrations on its Business plan, and Synthesia lists SCORM export along with learner seats, roleplays and a multilingual video player.