Two of the most-used AI video tools, pulled apart on price, quality and who each one is actually built for. We tested both so you can skip the trial-and-error.
Want unlimited standard videos on creator? HeyGen starts at $24/mo. Want strong enterprise/compliance positioning? Synthesia starts at $18/mo — Synthesia is the cheaper entry.
AI avatar video with unlimited standard videos on entry plan
AI avatar video generator built for training and corporate content
Disclosure: affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our verdict.
HeyGen and Synthesia meter usage differently — subscription (hybrid: unlimited standard + credits for premium) vs subscription (minutes per month). So the "cheaper" answer depends entirely on how much you produce.
| Plan | HeyGen | Synthesia |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes — ~1-3 videos/mo with watermark, 1 seat | No |
| Entry paid | $24 Creator | $18 Personal/Starter |
| Creator sweet spot | $24 Creator — $24/mo annual ($29 monthly); unlimited standard videos + ~200 credits | $67 Creator — ~$67/mo annual ($89 monthly); 30 min/mo, 5 personal avatars |
| Billing model | subscription (hybrid: unlimited standard + credits for premium) | subscription (minutes per month) |
Pricing verified May 2026 — always confirm current rates on the official site.
Creators and teams wanting high-volume talking-head avatar videos.
Training/corporate teams needing scripted avatar narration at scale.
Synthesia starts cheaper at $18/mo versus $24/mo for HeyGen. But the billing models differ (subscription (hybrid: unlimited standard + credits for premium) vs subscription (minutes per month)), so "cheaper" depends on your usage volume.
HeyGen is built for creators and teams wanting high-volume talking-head avatar videos. Synthesia is built for training/corporate teams needing scripted avatar narration at scale. Pick based on the workflow that matches yours, not the price tag.
Free tiers typically block commercial use; the paid plans unlock commercial rights. HeyGen has a free tier; Synthesia doesn't either.