HeyGen vs Synthesia: Which Current Video Workflow Fits?
HeyGen and Synthesia both use credits, offer free access, support dubbing, and now document SCORM-capable learning workflows. HeyGen exposes more model-dependent creative capacity and commercial-output differences between free and paid plans. Synthesia provides a clearer standard-video conversion and is oriented toward structured business video and enterprise learning. Sticker prices alone are not comparable because each vendor charges different credit rates by feature.
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Best Fit 2026
Best choice depends on use case
Use the verdict below to match each tool to your workflow.
HeyGen
FreemiumHeyGen's current Avatar & Video subscriptions use shared paid credits across supported generation, translation, avatar, and asset features. Capacity varies sharply: current avatar workflows range from 4 to 48 credits per generated minute depending on engine and look, while translation and Video Agent have their own rates. Creator is $29 monthly, Pro starts at $49, and Business is $149 for the first seat. These web plans are separate from API and LiveAvatar.
Best For
Pros
- ✓Creator includes 600 monthly credits at $29 monthly or $24 annual-billing equivalent
- ✓Multiple avatar engines and looks allow quality-versus-capacity choices
- ✓Paid credits cover supported generation, translation, avatar and asset workflows
- ✓Business supports SCORM, LMS integrations and interactive video
- ✓Paid-plan output can be used commercially subject to current terms and source rights
Cons
- ✗Credit cost varies significantly by model, look and feature
- ✗Creator and Pro users must upgrade instead of buying one-time credit packs
- ✗Free output is limited to personal, non-commercial evaluation
- ✗Business seats do not increase the shared credit pool
- ✗API and LiveAvatar plans are separate
Synthesia
FreemiumSynthesia's self-serve plans use a shared credit pool. Standard video uses 2 credits per second, or 120 per minute; dubbing uses 120 credits per minute without lip sync and 240 with lip sync. Basic is free, Starter is $29 monthly, Creator is $89 monthly, and Enterprise is custom. Unused self-serve credits do not roll over.
Best For
Pros
- ✓Basic provides 1,200 monthly credits and up to 10 standard video minutes for free
- ✓Standard video has a clear 120-credits-per-minute conversion
- ✓Creator includes interactive video and API access
- ✓Enterprise supports SCORM, SSO, localization and collaboration
- ✓Structured business-video and learning workflow
Cons
- ✗Starter has the same monthly generation capacity as free Basic
- ✗Creator costs $89 monthly
- ✗Unused self-serve credits do not roll over
- ✗Lip-synced dubbing consumes 240 credits per minute
- ✗Enterprise pricing and credits are custom
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | HeyGen | Synthesia |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free; Creator $29 monthly or $24 annual-billing equivalent | Basic free; Starter $29 monthly |
| Free Plan | 1–3 short videos by region; non-commercial output | 1,200 monthly credits; up to 10 standard video minutes |
| Core Capacity Unit | Shared credits; model and feature dependent | Shared credits; standard video is 120 credits/minute |
| Entry Paid Capacity | Creator: 600 credits/month | Starter: 1,200 credits/month or 14,500/year |
| Higher Self-Serve Tier | Pro from $49 with 1,000 credits; scalable tiers | Creator $89 with 3,600 credits/month or 44,000/year |
| Extra Capacity | Business: $5 per 100 credits; Creator/Pro upgrade | Upgrade or wait for renewal; plan-specific add-ons |
| Standard Avatar Video Cost | About 4–48 credits/minute depending on engine and look | 120 credits/minute |
| Dubbing With Lip Sync | Current translation modes vary by workflow | 240 credits/minute |
| Unused Capacity | Monthly rolls one cycle; annual accumulates until renewal | Does not roll over |
| Interactive Learning | Business includes quizzes, branching, SCORM and LMS support | Interactive video on Creator; quizzes and SCORM are Enterprise-focused |
| Commercial Use | Paid output allowed subject to terms; Free is non-commercial | Governed by plan and customer terms |
| Best Workflow Fit | Flexible avatar and multilingual creative production | Structured business video and enterprise learning |
Our Verdict
Neither is universally cheaper. Both enter paid self-serve at $29 monthly, but HeyGen Creator has 600 model-dependent credits while Synthesia Starter has 1,200 credits with a 120-credits-per-standard-minute conversion. Both now support learning workflows, so the decision should be based on avatar style, feature-specific credit usage, commercial terms, and organizational delivery needs.
Choose HeyGen if…
Choose HeyGen when avatar-model choice, multilingual creative production, digital twins, and flexible cross-feature credits matter most. Use a paid plan for commercial output and estimate cost using the exact avatar or translation mode, not a generic video count.
Choose Synthesia if…
Choose Synthesia when standard-video capacity, training, onboarding, governance, and structured enterprise learning are the priority. Budget higher-credit features separately and remember unused self-serve credits do not roll over.
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Pricing Compared
HeyGen and Synthesia pricing verified August 24, 2026 from official sources. HeyGen: Free, Creator $29 monthly or $24 annual equivalent, Pro from $49, Business $149 plus $20 per additional seat, Enterprise custom. Synthesia: Basic free, Starter $29 monthly, Creator $89 monthly, Enterprise custom. Credits are vendor-specific and cannot be compared one-for-one. The expired Synthesia Dubbing 2.0 promotion is excluded.
Sources & Methodology
This comparison uses first-party pricing, help, documentation, and legal pages checked on August 2, 2026. We removed old claims that Synthesia lacked a free plan or video dubbing, and we do not rank subjective avatar realism without a controlled same-script test. Ratings are editorial fit scores, not laboratory measurements. Commercial use still depends on current contracts, acceptable-use rules, and the rights and consent attached to uploaded people, voices, and media.
- HeyGen — Credit-Based Plans ↗
Current plan prices, included credits, model consumption, rollovers, and Business add-on pricing.
- HeyGen — Terms ↗
Paid-plan output rights, Free Plan non-commercial limits, and user responsibility for source rights.
- HeyGen — Avatar & Voice FAQ ↗
Official guidance on previewing voice and scenes before re-rendering.
- Synthesia — Pricing ↗
Basic, Starter, Creator, and Enterprise prices, credits, minute limits, and plan features.
- Synthesia — Self-Serve Credits ↗
Current credit allowances and the 2-credits-per-second video conversion.
- Synthesia — Interactivity and SCORM ↗
Plan availability for interactivity, quizzes, and Enterprise SCORM export.
- Synthesia — Customer Terms ↗
Ownership, content licenses, and contract-level usage responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HeyGen or Synthesia?
Both have a $29 monthly paid entry, but the included credits and consumption rates differ. Compare an approved sample workflow rather than the sticker price alone.
Do both offer free plans?
Yes. HeyGen Free provides a region-dependent short-video quota and its output is non-commercial. Synthesia Basic includes 1,200 monthly credits and up to 10 standard video minutes.
Does only Synthesia support SCORM?
No. Synthesia supports Enterprise SCORM workflows, and HeyGen's current Business plan also documents SCORM export and LMS integrations.
Do credits roll over?
HeyGen monthly paid credits may roll for one additional billing cycle and annual credits accumulate until renewal. Synthesia self-serve credits do not roll over.
Can free HeyGen output be used commercially?
No. HeyGen's current terms limit Free Plan output to personal, non-commercial, internal evaluation. Paid-plan output is treated differently, subject to current terms and source rights.
Are HeyGen API and LiveAvatar included in web plans?
No. HeyGen documents Avatar & Video subscriptions, API plans, and LiveAvatar plans as separate products.