If you need to turn training scripts into presenter-led videos without filming yourself, Synthesia generates the avatar video for you.
Synthesia is worth $18 a month on annual billing for repeat internal videos; HeyGen is the usual alternative for more expressive avatars.
Who it's for
You will get the most from Synthesia when video is a repeat documentation job. You will be disappointed if every video must feel personal, spontaneous, or persuasive.
Buy it if
- You update staff training after each product or policy change.
- You already use an LMS and need presenter-led lessons without booking speakers.
- You run a small team where one person writes scripts and colleagues only need review access.
Skip it if
- You make paid ads or founder videos where natural emotion and audience trust drive sales.
- You want to direct gestures, eye-line, and facial reactions with detailed video editing.
- You need several people editing projects at the same time.
Your first hour
You can start with an email and no card for one free AI video. Synthesia says that video arrives by email in minutes, so a usable draft can appear within the first hour.
- Start free Enter an email address to make one free AI video without a card.
- Choose presenter Pick an avatar before adding your script and scene content.
- Draft scenes Use a template or build scenes around your text; paid plans include access to at least 125 avatars.
- Generate video Minutes are used only after you generate a video, not while you edit it.
The editor is straightforward for slides and scripts, but natural pacing still takes a few rewrites.
What you actually get per plan
Synthesia has a free Basic plan, then monthly or annual subscriptions based mainly on generated video minutes and editor seats. Most solo buyers land on Starter because it adds more avatar choice, while Creator suits teams needing more minutes or personal avatars.
| Plan | Price | What’s inside | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Free | 10 video minutes monthly, 1,200 credits monthly, 1 editor and 3 guests | 25 AI-generated video assets monthly |
| Starter | $29/month, or $18/month billed annually | 10 video minutes monthly, 125+ avatars, 1 editor and 3 guests | Personal avatar is annual-only |
| Creator | $89/month, or $64/month billed annually | 30 video or dubbing minutes monthly, 180+ avatars, 1 editor and 5 guests | Annual rate requires annual billing |
| Enterprise | Quote | Custom editors and guests, 240+ avatars, personal avatars subject to reasonable use | Contact sales for pricing |
Unused minutes do not roll over. Once you hit a limit, generation is capped until the next renewal.
Three real situations
These are the trade-offs behind the headline price.
A freelance instructional designer with three retainer clients
Starter costs $29 month to month and gives 10 monthly video minutes. It can replace filming short training updates, but each longer revision uses the same minute pool.
A two-person online store selling a visual product
The avatars can make an explainer quickly, but robotic pauses and stiff facial expressions can weaken a customer-facing product pitch. A phone-shot demo with a real voice is the simpler route.
A small agency producing multilingual onboarding
Creator provides 30 monthly video or dubbing minutes, but only one editor and five guests. It works when one producer owns delivery, not when several editors need concurrent access.
Where it falls short
Reviewers report robotic pauses, stiff facial expressions, weak emotional tone, uncanny-valley moments, and occasional lip-sync drift. Those flaws stand out in sales videos and long lessons. HeyGen is more often chosen for better avatar realism and lip-sync.
Annual pricing saves money but ties you to a longer commitment, and unused minutes expire each billing period. The one-editor limits hurt agencies. Synthesia may include customer data in its AI training dataset, which matters if you handle client scripts or sensitive material.
Watch out: Purchases are described as non-cancelable and non-refundable. Starter and Creator users can stop future renewal in account billing, but should cancel before renewal.
Common questions
Is there a free Synthesia plan?
Yes. Basic is free and includes 10 video minutes, 1,200 credits, 25 AI-generated video assets, one editor, and three guests each month.
What is the cheapest way to try Synthesia?
You can generate one AI video for free without a credit card. Basic is also free if its limits suit your work.
Can I cancel Synthesia any time?
Starter and Creator users can cancel self-serve before the next renewal date. Access continues through the current billing period.
Does Synthesia train on my data?
Its data processing terms say customer data may be included in an AI training dataset to improve its AI technology.
Is HeyGen the closest Synthesia alternative?
HeyGen is the alternative most often compared with Synthesia for avatar videos. It is generally preferred when realistic expressions and lip-sync matter more than Synthesia’s training workflow.
Bottom line
Buy Synthesia at $18 a month on annual billing only if you repeatedly make internal training or onboarding videos and one editor can run the work. Skip it for ads, sales videos, or personal creator content where avatar emotion and natural delivery matter.
