AI Tools
Synthesia is an AI video platform for business that turns text scripts into studio-quality videos using AI avatars and AI voiceovers, replacing traditional filming for training, learning and development, and internal communications. Verified pricing (June 2026) starts with a Free Basic plan at 1,200 credits per month (up to 10 minutes of video per month), then paid plans from $18 per month on yearly billing, with Starter at $29 per month billed monthly, Creator at $89 per month (or $804 per year paid annually), and custom-priced Enterprise. A check of the official pricing page in August 2026 confirmed the $18 per month starting point and a launch promo advertising 38% savings.
The platform is built for business video at scale: more than 240 stock AI avatars plus personal avatars, over 1,000 AI voices across 160+ languages, an AI screen recorder, AI motion graphics, and AI dubbing with a video translator for localization. Team workflow tools include a brand kit, live collaboration, version control, and video analytics, which is what separates Synthesia from consumer avatar apps.
Synthesia's main competitors come from adjacent categories. ElevenLabs, verified with a Free plan and Starter at $6 per month, is the audio specialist for voiceovers and dubbing but produces no video. Descript, verified at Creator $24 per month annual or $35 monthly, edits real recordings transcript-first. Synthesia is the one that generates complete avatar videos from a script, which is why training and comms teams, not audio engineers, are its core audience.
Synthesia
Synthesia is an AI video platform for business that creates studio-quality videos with AI avatars and voiceovers in 160+ languages, replacing traditional video production. Best for: Business teams producing training, L&D, and internal-comms videos at scale without filming.
At a glance
| Category | AI Tools |
| Starts at | $18/mo (Starter, yearly billing; $29/mo billed monthly) |
| Pricing | Free Basic plan (1,200 credits/mo, up to 10 min of video/month); paid plans from $18/mo on yearly billing — Starter $29/mo monthly, Creator $89/mo ($804/yr paid annually), custom-priced Enterprise. |
| Best for | Business teams producing training, L&D, and internal-comms videos at scale without filming |
Key features
- 240+ stock AI avatars plus personal avatars, with 1,000+ AI voices in 160+ languages
- AI video generator that turns text scripts into studio-quality video
- AI dubbing and video translator for localizing videos across languages
- AI screen recorder and AI motion graphics
- Team workflow tools: brand kit, live collaboration, version control, and video analytics
How does Synthesia compare to ElevenLabs and Descript?
ElevenLabs, verified on its pricing page in August 2026, offers a Free plan at $0 and Starter at $6 per month. It generates lifelike speech, music, sound effects, dubbing, and voice agents, but it is audio-only: there are no avatars and no video output. Synthesia costs more (from $18 per month) because it adds the avatar layer and end-to-end video generation.
Descript, verified at Creator $24 per person per month billed annually or $35 monthly, is a transcript-based video and podcast editor: you edit real recordings by editing the transcript text. Synthesia instead generates video from scripts using avatars, so it suits content that does not exist yet, while Descript suits content you already recorded.
The decision is about the job: avatar-based training and comms video with multilingual voices points to Synthesia; audio generation and dubbing only points to the cheaper ElevenLabs; editing recorded podcasts and footage points to Descript. See our Descript profile for its full plan details.
Who should use Synthesia?
If you are an L&D or training team that must produce onboarding, compliance, and product-training videos without a studio or actors, Synthesia is a fit because a script becomes a complete video with an AI avatar and voiceover, and the brand kit plus version control keep output consistent across a team.
Internal communications and marketing teams are the other core fit: corporate updates, product announcements, and localized explainer videos can be generated in 160+ languages, and AI dubbing plus the video translator handle multilingual rollouts from one master script. The Free Basic plan (1,200 credits per month, up to 10 minutes of video) is a practical way to pilot the workflow before committing to Starter at $18 per month yearly or $29 monthly.
Synthesia is NOT ideal for podcasters or video editors working with real recordings (Descript at $16 to $24 per month is built for that) or for projects that need only audio generation, where ElevenLabs' $6 Starter is the cheaper specialist option.
Pricing
Free Basic plan (1,200 credits/mo, up to 10 min of video/month); paid plans from $18/mo on yearly billing — Starter $29/mo monthly, Creator $89/mo ($804/yr paid annually), custom-priced Enterprise. Confirm current terms on the vendor site before buying.
Alternatives
Worth comparing: Elevenlabs.
FAQ
Is Synthesia free?
Yes. Synthesia offers a Free Basic plan at $0 with 1,200 credits per month, capped at about 10 minutes of video per month, per the verified pricing page.
How much does Synthesia cost?
Verified pricing: Starter at $18 per month on yearly billing or $29 per month billed monthly; Creator at $89 per month (or $804 per year); Enterprise is custom-priced. The August 2026 pricing page promoted plans starting at $18 per month with 38% savings.
Synthesia vs ElevenLabs: which is better?
Synthesia (from $18/mo) generates avatar-based business video in 160+ languages. ElevenLabs (Free plan, Starter $6/mo) is an audio platform for voiceovers, dubbing, and voice agents. If the deliverable is video with a talking presenter, choose Synthesia; if it is audio only, ElevenLabs is cheaper.
Does Synthesia do AI dubbing?
Yes. AI dubbing and a video translator are listed features for localizing videos across languages, alongside 1,000+ AI voices in 160+ languages.