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HeyGen vs Synthesia: which AI avatar video tool should you start with?

HeyGen and Synthesia both turn a script into a video of a talking AI presenter, so you can make explainers without filming yourself.

They overlap a lot. The differences that matter to a beginner are how much the free plan lets you make and which kind of video each one is built around.

As of Oct 25, 2026: the oldest check date among the prices and free plans on this page.

HeyGen

Free plan
Free $0: 3 videos/mo up to 1 min, watermarked, Avatar IV access, 500+ stock avatars, 1 custom video avatar
Usage limits
Free: 3 videos/mo, up to 1 min each, watermarked; Creator: 600 credits/mo, 1080p, up to 30 min/video; Pro: from 1,000 credits/mo, 4K, up to 30 min/video; Business: 1,500 credits/mo, up to 60 min/video; Enterprise: custom
Pricing
Free $0; Creator $29/mo (or $24/mo billed annually); Pro from $49/mo; Business $149/mo + $20/seat; Enterprise contact sales

Synthesia

Free plan
Basic $0: 10 min of video, 3 survey responses and 500 credits every month
Usage limits
Basic (free): 10 min of video and 500 credits per month, watermarked; Starter: 1,250 credits/mo; Pro: 6,000 credits/mo; Enterprise: custom
Pricing
Basic $0/mo; Starter $29/mo billed monthly; Pro $89/mo billed monthly ($64/mo billed yearly); Enterprise custom. Starter's yearly price is shown inconsistently on the official page, so it is not quoted

Who should pick which

  • HeyGen: Pick this if you make marketing or creator videos and want a large library of ready-made presenters.
  • Synthesia: Pick this if you make training, compliance or how-to videos for a business and want a shared team workspace.

What you hit first on the free plans

  • Free plans cap how much video you can make each month: HeyGen by the number and length of videos, Synthesia by total minutes.
  • Free videos carry a watermark on both tools. HeyGen's free plan does include one custom video avatar.
  • Making an avatar of a real person requires that person's consent. Both tools have written rules about this, so read them before you start.

Questions

Can I try both for free?
Yes. HeyGen has a free plan and Synthesia has a free Basic plan, both with watermarked videos. The current allowances are in the rows above, with the date they were checked.

Sources