Synthesia review (2026): pricing, limits, and who it's actually for
What Synthesia is
Synthesia is a browser-based AI video platform. You paste or write a script, pick an AI avatar (or create a personal avatar of yourself), choose a voice and language, drop in slides, screen recordings or brand assets, and render an MP4. Editing is scene-based like a slide deck rather than timeline-based like Premiere, which is precisely why teams without video skills adopt it. Since 2025 it has added an AI video assistant that drafts a video from a document or URL, AI dubbing that translates and lip-syncs an existing video, and interactive elements (quizzes, clickable buttons) on the Creator plan and above.
Plans and what they really include
| Plan | Price | Minutes / month | Avatars | Notable inclusions | Notable exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (Free) | $0 | 10 | 9 stock | 160+ languages, commenting, 1,200 credits | No personal avatar, no dubbing, no AI assistant, download/branding limits |
| Starter | $29/mo · $18/mo annual | 12 | 125+ stock · 3 personal | Downloads, AI video assistant, AI dubbing, branding removed, 1 editor + 3 guests, chat/email support | No API, no interactive video, no branded pages |
| Creator | $89/mo | 30 | 180+ stock · 5 personal | Everything in Starter + API, interactive video, branded video pages, 3,600 credits, priority support | No SCORM, no SSO |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited | 240+ stock · unlimited personal | SCORM export, SAML/SSO, brand kits, live collaboration, dedicated CSM, implementation services | Requires sales process |
Read the minutes carefully. A 12-minute allowance sounds small, and it is: a typical onboarding module runs 3–6 minutes, so Starter covers two to four videos a month. Re-rendering after edits consumes minutes too. Most small teams we'd expect to land on Creator ($89) within a quarter, or on Enterprise if they need SCORM.
Where it's strong
Pros
- The most complete localization pipeline in this category: 160+ languages for voices and 140+ for lip-synced dubbing of existing footage
- Template-first editor that HR, enablement and support teams can use without training
- Personal avatars included on every paid plan (3 on Starter)
- Enterprise features that procurement asks for: SCORM, SSO, SOC 2, dedicated support
- Strong, broad review base — G2 4.6/5 from 2,800+ reviews
- API access on the self-serve Creator plan
Cons
- $2.42 per included minute on Starter vs under $1 on HeyGen Creator
- Smaller stock avatar catalogue than HeyGen (125–240 vs 500–700+)
- No 4K export on self-serve plans
- SCORM and SSO are Enterprise-only, which means a sales call and a custom quote
- Free plan is for evaluation only — you cannot ship a client-ready video from it
Synthesia vs the alternatives
| Synthesia | HeyGen | Colossyan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | $29 · 12 min | $29 · ~30 min (Avatar IV) | $59 · 30 min (NEO) / 10 min (NEO2) |
| SCORM on self-serve plan | No (Enterprise) | Business $149 + seats | Yes — 5 exports/mo on Professional $59 |
| Languages | 160+ | 175+ | 120+ |
| Best for | Company training & comms at scale | Creators, marketing, social | L&D teams that need SCORM cheaply |
Full breakdowns: Synthesia vs HeyGen · Best AI video tools for training videos.
Who should buy Synthesia
- L&D, HR and enablement teams producing recurring training content, especially in several languages.
- Customer education and support teams replacing text help articles with short how-to videos.
- Agencies that deliver explainer or training video to corporate clients and need brand kits and collaboration.
Who should not
- Solo YouTubers and social creators on a budget — HeyGen's minutes-per-dollar and 4K export fit better.
- Anyone who needs SCORM without talking to sales — look at Colossyan's $59 plan.
- Voice-only projects (podcast intros, audiobooks, IVR) — you're paying for video you won't render; see ElevenLabs vs Murf.
FAQ
How much does Synthesia cost per month?
Starter is $29/month ($18/month billed annually), Creator is $89/month, Enterprise is custom. The free Basic plan includes 10 minutes a month.
Can Synthesia clone my voice and face?
Yes — personal avatars (with your voice) are included: 3 on Starter, 5 on Creator, unlimited on Enterprise. You record consent footage through their guided process.
Does Synthesia export SCORM?
Only on Enterprise. HeyGen offers SCORM on its Business plan and Colossyan on its $59 Professional plan.
Is there a refund?
Refund terms are set by Synthesia and change; check the current terms on their site before an annual purchase. We recommend starting monthly.
Method: published pricing and plan documentation verified on the date above; review-site ratings quoted with their review counts; hands-on notes added as we run the same test script through each tool. No sponsored placement.