Synthesia Review 2026: 10 Free Minutes, From $14/Mo
Synthesia's free plan gives 10 minutes a month with 9 avatars and a watermark. Paid starts at $14/mo yearly ($19 monthly) with 125+ avatars and no watermark.
Read Article →Synthesia vs HeyGen 2026: $14 vs $24, Synthesia Wins
Synthesia vs HeyGen comes down to who’s watching. For training, compliance-heavy teams and the cheaper paid start, I’d pick Synthesia: $14 a month on yearly billing, SOC 2 Type II and ISO 42001, and SCORM on Enterprise. For the most lifelike presenters, voice cloning and translating videos you already have, HeyGen wins, from $24 a month yearly. On monthly billing Synthesia starts at $19 and HeyGen at $29.
Key Takeaways
- Synthesia (4.7/5) wins with enterprise compliance, a lower paid entry price and team features; HeyGen (4.0/5) leads on realism but loses points for its credit system and regional limits
- Synthesia starts at $14/month yearly with 125+ (240+ on Enterprise) avatars; HeyGen starts at $24/month yearly with 600 credits
- HeyGen's video translation with lip-sync remains a standout feature for global content
- Synthesia offers superior team collaboration, SOC 2/ISO 42001 compliance, and LMS integrations
- Both platforms offer free plans to test before committing: HeyGen gives 3 one-minute videos/month, Synthesia 10 minutes/month
- Synthesia Rating
- 4.7/5
- HeyGen Rating
- 4.0/5
- Synthesia Languages
- 140+
- HeyGen Languages
- 175+
Try Synthesia Free
The free plan gives you 10 minutes of video a month and 9 avatars, with a watermark.
Read the HeyGen Review
HeyGen's free plan is 3 one-minute videos a month.
Synthesia vs HeyGen at a Glance
Synthesia and HeyGen are the two leading AI avatar video platforms in 2026. Both create professional videos with AI presenters, but each has distinct strengths.
| Tool | Best For | Price | Rating | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Editor's Pick Synthesia | Enterprise & Training | $14/mo (yearly) or $19/mo | Compliance + team collaboration + LMS | |
| Avatar Realism & Translation | $24/mo (yearly) or $29/mo | Best avatar realism & voice cloning |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HeyGen | Synthesia |
|---|---|---|
| Avatar realism | Most lifelike, Avatar V twins | Polished, a little stiffer |
| Voice cloning | From a few minutes of audio | Personal Avatar voices only |
| Video translation | Any video, lip-synced | AI Dubbing with lip sync, 80 credits/min |
| Team features | Business plan, $149 + $20/seat | Roles, shared workspaces, SCORM on Enterprise |
| Security | SOC 2 | SOC 2 Type II, ISO 42001, GDPR |
| Stock Avatars | 700+ | 125+ (240+ on Enterprise) |
| Languages | 175+ | 140+ |
| Starting Price | $24/mo (yearly) | $14/mo (yearly) |
| Free Plan | 3 one-minute videos/month | 10 mins/month |
#1
Synthesia
Editor's PickSynthesia has a free plan with 10 minutes of video a month, and paid plans start at $14 a month on yearly billing. It holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 42001, Enterprise adds SCORM export for LMS training, and AI Dubbing translates finished videos with lip sync.
Pros
- Free plan with 10 minutes a month
- Cheaper paid start at $14 a month yearly
- SOC 2 Type II, ISO 42001 and GDPR compliance
- AI Dubbing with lip sync, 70+ languages
Cons
- Avatars look a little stiffer than HeyGen's
- SCORM and 1-click translation are Enterprise-only
- Watermark and no download on the free plan
Best For: Training, compliance-heavy teams and anyone who wants the cheaper paid start.
#2
HeyGen
Best for RealismHeyGen’s Avatar V builds a digital twin from 15 seconds of footage, and its translation puts lip-synced dubbing on any video in 175+ languages. Creator costs $24 a month on yearly billing for 600 credits. It loses points for the credit system, Avatar Shots being geoblocked in the US and Japan, and uneven support.
Pros
- Most lifelike avatars, Avatar V digital twins
- Translate any video with lip sync, 175+ languages
- Voice clone from a few minutes of audio
- Free plan: 3 one-minute videos a month
Cons
- Creator is credit-based now: 600 credits a month, no unlimited videos
- Credit costs per feature are hard to follow
- Some features are region-restricted
Best For: Marketing and sales teams who want the most lifelike presenters and translation of existing footage.
Avatar Quality: Who Looks More Real?
Avatar realism is often the deciding factor. Both platforms deliver professional results, but with different strengths.
HeyGen: The More Lifelike Avatars
HeyGen’s avatars are the more lifelike of the two: small expressions, eye movement and gestures look natural. With 700+ stock avatars and lip sync across 175+ languages, the library covers most demographics and professional styles. For a custom avatar, Avatar V builds a digital twin from 15 seconds of footage.
Synthesia: Polished Professional Quality
Synthesia avatars prioritize a clean, corporate-appropriate appearance. They look professional and credible, well suited to formal business contexts. You get 125+ avatars on Starter, 180+ on Pro and 240+ on Enterprise, with Personal Avatars at 3 on Starter, 5 on Pro and unlimited on Enterprise.
Info:
Testing Tip: Both platforms offer free plans. Create the same video on both and show it to your target audience without revealing which is which. Their reaction will tell you which works better for your specific use case.
Voice Cloning & Audio
Voice quality shapes how credible your video feels.
HeyGen
Voice Naturalness
Clone Accuracy
Multi-Language
Setup Speed
Synthesia
Voice Naturalness
Clone Accuracy
Multi-Language
Setup Speed
HeyGen’s voice cloning needs just a few minutes of audio and captures your tone, rhythm, and speaking style closely. Your clone can speak any of 175+ languages naturally.
Synthesia’s voice capabilities are solid but less advanced. Voice cloning is available on Starter and Pro plans but only with your Personal Avatar, which needs a short recording or a single photo, with Express-Voice cloning. Results are good but not as natural as HeyGen’s.
Voice Cloning Winner
HeyGen significantly outperforms in voice cloning. If creating personalized content at scale with your own voice is important, HeyGen is the clear choice.
Video Translation & Localization
For global content, translation capabilities are critical. Both can now dub a finished video with lip sync; HeyGen covers more languages and works on any footage.
HeyGen: Translate Any Video
Works on Real Footage
HeyGen’s video translation works on any video, not just AI avatars. Upload a real human video and get it translated with lip-sync.
| Translation Feature | HeyGen | Synthesia |
|---|---|---|
| Translate an existing video | Yes | Yes, AI Dubbing (70+ languages, 140+ on Enterprise) |
| Lip sync on translated video | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Cloning Across Languages | Yes, excellent | Limited |
| Native Language Support | 175+ | 140+ |
| AI Dubbing | Yes | Yes, 80 credits per minute |
Success:
Global Content Winner: HeyGen’s video translation feature alone can justify choosing the platform. Taking one video and generating localized versions in 175+ languages saves enormous time and budget.
Synthesia vs HeyGen Pricing
Both platforms have updated their pricing in 2026 with more accessible entry points.
HeyGen Pricing
| Plan | Annual (Best Value) | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Annual $0/mo | Monthly $0/mo |
| ||
| Recommended Creator | Annual $24/mo billed annually | Monthly $29/mo |
| ||
| Pro | Annual $41/mo billed annually | Monthly $49/mo |
| ||
| Business | Monthly $149/mo + $20/seat | |
| ||
| Enterprise | Annual Custom | Monthly Custom |
| ||
Synthesia Pricing
| Plan | Annual (Best Value) | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Annual $0/mo | Monthly $0/mo |
| ||
| Recommended Starter | Annual $14/mo billed annually | Monthly $19/mo |
| ||
| Pro | Annual $59/mo billed annually | Monthly $89/mo |
| ||
| Enterprise | Annual Custom | Monthly Custom |
| ||
Info:
Value Analysis: HeyGen’s Creator plan ($24/mo yearly, $29 monthly) gives 600 credits a month. On monthly billing unused credits roll over one month; on yearly billing they pile up until renewal. Synthesia’s Starter ($14/mo yearly) is cheaper and adds about 150 minutes a year on top of 10 free minutes a month. On monthly billing Synthesia starts at $19 and HeyGen at $29.
Try Synthesia Free
Get 10 mins/month on the free plan.
Enterprise & Team Features
For organizations with multiple users and compliance requirements, enterprise features matter significantly. Synthesia has a clear lead here, having built its platform with enterprise needs in mind from the start.
Synthesia: Enterprise-Grade Infrastructure
Synthesia’s enterprise features are mature and comprehensive.
-
SOC 2 Type II + ISO 42001
Security certifications for regulated industries and enterprise compliance
-
GDPR Compliant
Full European data protection compliance with data residency options
-
Team Collaboration
Role-based access, shared workspaces, version control, and project permissions
-
LMS Integrations
Native integrations with Cornerstone, Docebo, and other learning management systems, plus SCORM export on Enterprise
-
Brand Kit Management
Shared logos, colors, fonts, and templates for consistent company-wide branding
-
SSO Integration
Single sign-on with SAML support for enterprise authentication
HeyGen: Growing Enterprise Capabilities
HeyGen is expanding its enterprise features but currently targets smaller teams and individual creators.
-
SOC 2 Compliant
SOC 2 security certification is in place
-
Team Workspaces
Collaborative editing and shared asset libraries for team workflows
-
API Access
Available on Enterprise plans for custom integrations
HeyGen’s enterprise tooling is still developing. It currently suits smaller teams and individual creators better than regulated organizations.
Warning:
Enterprise Winner: For large teams or organizations requiring strict compliance, Synthesia’s mature enterprise infrastructure is the safer choice. HeyGen is catching up but currently more suited for smaller teams and individual creators.
Which Should You Choose?
Match your main use case to the tool below, then use the quick guide to check it against your budget and team.
Choose by Use Case
Quick Decision Guide
What matters most for your content?
- Avatar realism
- HeyGen
- Enterprise security
- Synthesia
- Voice cloning
- HeyGen
- Team collaboration
- Synthesia
Do you need video translation?
- Yes, automatic with lip-sync
- HeyGen
- No, or manual translation is fine
- Either works
How long are your videos?
- Lots of short clips
- HeyGen Creator $24/mo yearly, 600 credits
- Long presenter videos
- Synthesia Starter about 150 extra minutes a year
Do you need SCORM for an LMS?
- Yes
- Synthesia Enterprise
- No
- Either works
What's your budget priority?
- Lowest entry price
- Synthesia Starter $14/mo yearly
- Lots of short videos
- HeyGen Creator $24/mo yearly, 600 credits
Final Verdict
Winner Editor's Pick
Synthesia
Synthesia edges ahead with enterprise-grade compliance, a lower paid entry price, and a more mature team collaboration stack. It's the safer pick for businesses and training teams.
- SOC 2 Type II, ISO 42001, and GDPR compliant
- Free plan with 10 minutes of video a month
- Advanced team collaboration and role-based access
- Native LMS integrations for training workflows
- Lower entry price at $14/month yearly
Best for Realism
HeyGen
HeyGen still produces the most realistic-looking avatars and has the strongest video translation feature. If avatar realism and multilingual lip-sync are your top priorities, HeyGen remains a strong contender.
- The more lifelike avatars, with natural micro-expressions
- Voice cloning from a few minutes of audio
- Video translation with lip sync on any footage
- 700+ stock avatars across 175+ languages
FAQ
Is Synthesia better than HeyGen?
It depends on what you make. Synthesia is better for training, compliance-heavy teams and the lower paid entry, $14 a month on yearly billing against HeyGen's $24. HeyGen is better for lifelike avatars, voice cloning and translating videos you already have. On monthly billing Synthesia starts at $19 and HeyGen at $29.
Which platform has more realistic avatars?
HeyGen leads in avatar realism. Their avatars feature micro-expressions, natural breathing, and subtle movements that look natural on screen. Synthesia avatars are polished and professional but slightly less lifelike.
Can I use both platforms together?
Yes. A common split is using HeyGen for customer-facing marketing content (where realism matters most) and Synthesia for internal training and compliance content (where enterprise features are essential).
Which is better for beginners?
It depends on how much control you want. HeyGen is quicker to pick up; Synthesia has more controls, which take longer to learn but pay off for structured training videos.
Do I need to speak the language to create videos in it?
No. Both platforms generate videos from text scripts in any supported language. HeyGen supports 175+ languages; Synthesia supports 140+. Your avatar will speak with proper pronunciation regardless of your own language abilities.
Which offers better value for high-volume creators?
It depends on how long your videos are. HeyGen Creator ($24/month yearly) gives 600 credits a month that carry over and videos up to 30 minutes; Synthesia Starter ($14/month yearly) gives about 150 minutes of video a year on top of 10 free minutes a month. For many short videos HeyGen Creator suits you; for long presenter videos Synthesia's minutes do.
Can I create a custom avatar that looks like me?
Yes, both platforms offer custom avatar creation. HeyGen's Avatar V builds a digital twin from 15 seconds of footage. Synthesia needs a short recording or a single photo (Personal Avatars), with Express-Voice cloning. HeyGen's twins are slightly more realistic for casual content.
Which has better security and compliance?
Both hold SOC 2. Synthesia goes further with SOC 2 Type II, ISO 42001 and GDPR plus SSO and data residency, so it's the easier sign-off for regulated teams.
Can I export videos without watermarks?
Both platforms include watermarks on free plans. You need a paid plan to remove watermarks: HeyGen Creator ($24/mo yearly) or Synthesia Starter ($14/mo yearly).
Further Reading
- ISO 42001:2023, AI Management Systems: the AI management standard Synthesia holds
- GDPR Information Portal: what GDPR compliance covers
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