HeyGen vs Synthesia (2026): Which Is Better?
Winner
HeyGen is the better pick for most people as of September 2026, rated 4.3/5 versus 4.3/5 for Synthesia. Only HeyGen has a free plan. Synthesia is the better choice for corporate training videos.
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Compiled from BestAI's full reviews of HeyGen and Synthesia, using the same ratings, pricing and test notes. See our review methodology.
HeyGen vs Synthesia: side-by-side
| Criterion | HeyGen | Synthesia |
|---|---|---|
| BestAI rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Starting price | $29/mo | $29/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Ease of use | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Features | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Output quality | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Value for money | 4.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Platforms | API, Web | API, Web |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Multilingual marketing videos | Corporate training videos |
| Company | HeyGen, 2020 | Synthesia Limited, 2017 |
Strengths and weaknesses
HeyGen
- Strong avatar video generation
- Video translation and dubbing with lip-sync
- Custom avatar creation from your own footage
- Usable free tier for testing
- Free tier exports are watermarked
- Custom avatars require a paid plan
- Best suited to presenter-style content, not cinematic video
Synthesia
- Fast script-to-video with realistic AI avatars
- Strong multilingual voice and lip-sync support
- No filming or actors required
- Good for training and explainer content at scale
- No permanent free tier, only a trial
- Not suited to cinematic or highly creative video
- Custom avatar creation typically requires a higher-tier plan
Key features
HeyGen
- Text-to-video with AI avatars
- Video translation and dubbing
- Custom avatar creation
- Template library
- API access
Synthesia
- Text-to-video with AI avatars
- Multilingual voice and lip-sync
- Custom avatar creation
- Screen recording and templates
- Team collaboration
Which should you choose?
Choose HeyGen if you need:
- Multilingual marketing videos
- Product demo videos
- Localized training content
- A free plan (paid plans from $29/mo)
Choose Synthesia if you need:
- Corporate training videos
- Multilingual explainer videos
- Internal communications
- No free plan needed (from $29/mo)
Frequently asked questions
Is HeyGen better than Synthesia?+
For most people, HeyGen comes out ahead: BestAI rates it 4.3/5 against 4.3/5 for Synthesia. Synthesia is still the better fit for corporate training videos.
Which is cheaper, HeyGen or Synthesia?+
Both start at $29/mo. Only HeyGen has a free plan.
Do HeyGen and Synthesia have free plans?+
HeyGen has a free plan (limited monthly credits with watermarked exports). Synthesia has no free plan.
What is the main difference between HeyGen and Synthesia?+
HeyGen is best for multilingual marketing videos, and its standout strength is strong avatar video generation. Synthesia is best for corporate training videos, with fast script-to-video with realistic AI avatars as its biggest advantage.