HeyGen vs Synthesia: AI video pricing and limits compared
Both tools sell AI-generated video on a free tier plus credit-based paid plans. This comparison is based on the two official pricing pages only; we have not generated videos with either tool.
By Give AI Tool · Research methodology
Researched comparison, not hands-on tested · Reviewed 20 Oct 2026 · Open in the comparison tool
The decision this helps with: Which avatar-video tool gives you a better free test and first paid step?
Side by side
| HeyGen | Synthesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Good for | Make avatar videos, Dub and translate video, Clone a voice | Make avatar videos, Dub and translate video |
| Entry price | From $24/mo (currency not named), billed annually, or $29 (currency not named) month-to-month | From $18/mo (currency not named), billed annually, or $29 (currency not named) month-to-month |
| Billing commitment | Cheapest price needs a yearly payment ($24 a month, paid once a year). Month-to-month is $29. | Cheapest price needs a yearly payment ($18 a month, paid once a year). Month-to-month is $29. |
| Currency | Shown as "$"; currency not named | Shown as "$"; currency not named |
| Pricing model | Credits | Credits |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free-plan limits | 3 videos per month, up to 1 minute each, 1 custom avatar | 500 credits per month; 10 minutes of video per month; 9 AI avatars; Synthesia watermark on videos |
| What it does |
|
|
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Main tradeoff | Credit cost per video is not published, and credits expire if you cancel. | Free output is watermarked, and at about 100 credits per video minute longer videos use up plans quickly. |
| Choose it if | Consider it for a no-card start, voice cloning from Creator, and 175+ languages on paid tiers. | Consider it if you want avatar presenters in 140+ languages and voices and a free tier to test first. |
| Research status | Researched overview, last checked 20 Oct 2026 | Researched overview, last checked 20 Oct 2026 |
Prices marked "billed annually" are shown per month but are paid once a year. They are not month-to-month prices.
2 rows are hidden because no tool in this comparison has a verified value for them.
What actually differs
Free plan
HeyGen's free plan allows 3 videos a month of up to 1 minute each, with 1 custom avatar and no card required. Synthesia's Basic plan lists 500 credits a month, about 10 minutes of video or dubbing, and watermarked output.
First paid tier
Both list a $29 monthly entry price (HeyGen Creator, Synthesia Starter). On yearly billing, HeyGen's FAQ shows $24 a month and Synthesia shows $18 a month. Synthesia's yearly plans state credits per year (15,000 on Starter), while monthly plans state them per month (1,250).
Credits
Synthesia estimates about 100 credits per video minute. HeyGen says credit cost depends on the model, length and complexity and does not give a per-minute figure.
Languages
HeyGen lists 30+ languages on Free and 175+ on Creator. Synthesia lists 140+ languages and voices on every plan, and dubbing into 70+ languages (140+ on Enterprise).
Which one to choose
Choose HeyGen if…
You want a free plan with a card-free start, voice cloning and a stated 175+ language count on the first paid tier.
Choose Synthesia if…
You want a free allowance measured in video minutes and a published per-minute credit estimate.
Not yet verified
Gaps in our research, not claims about either product.
- HeyGen: Credit cost per video; Annual prices for Pro and Business; Refund policy; Commercial-use terms.
- Synthesia: Free-trial length and card requirement; Refund policy; Which plans include the API; Commercial-use terms.
Try them
Goes to the official site. Not an affiliate link.
Goes to the official site. Not an affiliate link.
Full pages: HeyGen · Synthesia · Affiliate disclosure