What Synthesia does
Synthesia is a text-to-video platform. You write a script, pick an AI avatar from a library of 230 options, choose a language and voice, and the platform renders a video with the avatar delivering your script on camera. There is no recording, no editing timeline in the traditional sense, and no production crew. The whole thing runs in a browser.
The 2026 version added Express-2 avatars, which use a diffusion transformer model trained on thousands of hours of professional speaker footage. These avatars gesture contextually: emphasis gestures, finger-counting for numbered lists, head turns. It closes some of the uncanny valley gap, though it does not eliminate it entirely. Older avatars in the library vary in quality, so previewing before you lock a template is still smart practice.
Other additions worth noting: Express-Voice for accent-preserving voice cloning, AI Dubbing to translate existing videos into 30-plus languages with lip-sync matched to the avatar, and Generative Assets for B-roll creation powered by Google Veo 3. The PowerPoint import feature converts slide decks and speaker notes directly into Synthesia videos, which is the single most practical feature for anyone producing training content from existing materials.
Pricing
Synthesia cut prices on paid tiers recently. Annual billing is the better deal. Confirm exact figures on Synthesia's pricing page before subscribing.
| Plan | Monthly billing | Annual billing | Key limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | ~10 min/mo, watermarked, limited avatars |
| Starter | $29/mo | $22/mo | Unwatermarked, full avatar library |
| Creator | $67/mo | $53/mo | ~30 min/mo, 5 personal avatars, collaboration |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Median ~$30,000/yr; SSO, dedicated support |
Personal avatar creation (your face, rendered as a Synthesia avatar) is available from the Creator plan. Enterprise contracts, based on verified procurement data, typically land around $30,000 per year for mid-sized organisations.
Good at / struggles
- Training and L&D video at scale without production overhead
- Multilingual content: 160-plus languages, 1,000-plus voices
- PowerPoint-to-video conversion that actually preserves slide design
- AI Dubbing with frame-accurate lip sync in 30-plus languages
- Consistent output quality with none of the scheduling headaches of live recording
- Avatars are not cinematic; they work in professional contexts, not consumer storytelling
- Quality is inconsistent across the 230-plus avatar library; older options show their age
- Output is avatar-over-background, not full scene video; not a Runway or Sora replacement
- Monthly minute caps on Starter and Creator can bite teams with irregular volume
Top alternatives
- Runway for generative video that goes well beyond avatar presentations into full scene creation
- HeyGen for personal avatar video with a cleaner interface and competitive pricing at smaller volumes
- Descript for teams that need audio and video editing alongside AI presenter features
See the full comparison on our Synthesia alternatives page.
Who it is for
Synthesia is built for corporate L&D, internal communications, and product education teams that need a repeatable video production process without a production budget. A global company that needs onboarding videos in 12 languages gets immediate, obvious value. A freelance content creator making YouTube videos does not. The tool is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is actually a point in its favour.
If you produce two or more training or explainer videos a month and camera-based production is the bottleneck, Synthesia at $22 to $53 per month is a reasonable operational investment. Below that threshold, the free plan or a trial will tell you what you need to know before you commit.
FAQ
Is Synthesia free?
Synthesia has a free plan with roughly 10 minutes of generated video per month, watermarked output, and access to a limited avatar set. Paid plans start at $22/month billed annually (Starter) for unwatermarked output and the full avatar library.
Can I make a video in my own language with Synthesia?
Yes. Synthesia supports 160-plus languages with over 1,000 voices. The AI Dubbing feature translates existing videos into 30-plus languages with frame-accurate lip sync on the avatar, which is useful for localising existing training content without re-recording.
How realistic are Synthesia avatars?
The newest Express-2 avatars are convincing in professional contexts: good eye movement, contextual gestures, and accurate lip sync. Older stock avatars in the library are less polished. Quality is not uniform across all 230-plus options, so preview your chosen avatar with a short test script before committing to a template.
Does Synthesia work for training videos?
That is its strongest use case. L&D teams use Synthesia to produce onboarding and compliance videos because it removes the need for cameras, studios, or on-camera presenters. Updating a video is as simple as editing the script and re-rendering, which is a real operational win for content that changes regularly.