Synthesia vs Colossyan (2026): which is better for training videos?
1. Pricing and minutes
| Plan | Synthesia | Colossyan |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Basic: $0 · 10 min/mo · 9 avatars · no personal avatar, no dubbing | Starter: $0 · 20 min/mo on NEO avatars (0.5 min on NEO2) · unlimited course creation · 10 interactive videos/mo · 15 auto-translations/mo · unlimited viewers · 1 editor |
| Entry paid | Starter $29/mo ($18 annual) · 12 min · 125+ avatars · 3 personal avatars · AI dubbing · 1 editor + 3 guests | Professional $59/mo · 30 min (NEO) / 10 min (NEO2) · watermark removed · 5 SCORM exports/mo · 15 interactive videos · 20 auto-translations · AI image generation · up to 3 editors (extra members $30/mo annual) |
| Mid tier | Creator $89/mo · 30 min · 180+ avatars · 5 personal avatars · API · interactive video · branded pages | — (Professional → Enterprise) |
| Enterprise | Custom · unlimited minutes · 240+ avatars · SCORM · SAML/SSO · brand kits · dedicated CSM | Custom · unlimited NEO minutes · unlimited SCORM (streaming + self-contained) · branded avatars · SSO/SAML · SOC 2 Type II · EU/US data residency · 24/7 priority support |
| Cost per included minute (entry paid) | $29 ÷ 12 = $2.42 | $59 ÷ 30 = $1.97 (NEO) · $59 ÷ 10 = $5.90 (NEO2) |
| Cheapest plan with SCORM | Enterprise (quote) | $59 |
| Cheapest plan with API | $89 Creator | Enterprise |
Read Colossyan's minute figure carefully: 30 minutes applies to its NEO avatar generation; the newer NEO2 avatars are metered at 10 minutes on Professional. If you want the latest-generation avatars for every module, the effective cost per minute is closer to Synthesia's. Our calculator uses the NEO figure and says so.
2. SCORM, interactive video and LMS fit
| Synthesia | Colossyan | |
|---|---|---|
| SCORM export | Enterprise only | 5/mo on Professional; unlimited on Enterprise (streaming and self-contained packages) |
| Interactive video (quizzes, branching, buttons) | Creator ($89) and up | 10/mo on Free, 15/mo on Professional |
| Auto-translation | AI dubbing from Starter; 140+ dubbing languages | 15/mo Free, 20/mo Professional; 120+ languages |
| Team editing | 1 editor + 3 guests (Starter); live collaboration on Enterprise | Up to 3 editors on Professional |
| Course/module structure | Video-centric; playlists via branded pages on Creator | Built-in course creation, unlimited viewers even on Free |
| Security/compliance | SOC 2, SAML/SSO on Enterprise | SOC 2 Type II, SSO/SAML, EU/US data residency on Enterprise |
This is where the two products diverge. Colossyan was designed around the L&D workflow — course structure, SCORM, quizzes — and puts those features on its self-serve plan. Synthesia treats them as enterprise capabilities and gates them accordingly. If your LMS needs a SCORM package this month and your budget is under $100, the decision is made for you.
3. Avatars, voices and languages
| Synthesia | Colossyan | |
|---|---|---|
| Stock avatars | 125+ (Starter) → 180+ (Creator) → 240+ (Enterprise) | 15 custom-style avatars + 3 voices (Free); 20 + 5 voices (Professional); unlimited (Enterprise) |
| Personal avatars | 3 on Starter, 5 on Creator, unlimited on Enterprise | Branded avatars on Enterprise |
| Languages | 160+ voices, 140+ dubbing | 120+ |
| API | Creator plan | Enterprise |
| Review base | G2 4.6/5 · 2,800+ reviews | Smaller; not independently verified by us |
Synthesia's catalogue is broader and its personal-avatar feature is available from $29. If you want a real colleague's likeness fronting your training content on a self-serve plan, that's Synthesia. Colossyan's avatar set is smaller but tuned for instructional delivery, and its NEO2 generation closes much of the realism gap — at the cost of the tighter 10-minute allowance.
4. Free tiers and trials
Synthesia Basic (free): 10 minutes a month, 9 avatars, no personal avatar, no dubbing, download/branding limits. Fine for judging voice and editor; not enough to ship.
Colossyan Starter (free) + 14-day trial: 20 NEO minutes a month, unlimited course creation, 10 interactive videos, 15 translations, unlimited viewers — plus a 14-day full trial with no card. You can build and share a complete pilot module, and test a SCORM export during the trial, before paying anything. That's the most generous evaluation path in this category.
5. Who should choose which
Choose Colossyan if you…
Need SCORM this month on a self-serve budget · run a small L&D team (1–3 editors) · want quizzes and branching in every module · build structured courses rather than one-off videos · want to pilot fully before paying.
Start a Colossyan 14-day trialChoose Synthesia if you…
Localize into many languages · want personal avatars from $29 · need an API for programmatic video · are buying company-wide with procurement and security review · produce marketing and customer-education video alongside training.
Try Synthesia freeFAQ
Which is cheaper, Synthesia or Colossyan?
Synthesia's entry plan is cheaper ($29 vs $59), but Colossyan includes 2.5× the minutes on NEO avatars plus SCORM, interactive video and 3 editors. Per included minute, Colossyan is cheaper ($1.97 vs $2.42) unless you need its NEO2 avatars.
Does Colossyan export SCORM on the free plan?
No — SCORM exports start on Professional ($59, 5 per month). You can test one during the 14-day full trial.
Can I use my own avatar on Colossyan?
Branded/custom avatars are an Enterprise feature at Colossyan. Synthesia includes personal avatars on every paid plan.
Which has more languages?
Synthesia (160+ voices, 140+ dubbing) versus Colossyan (120+).
Method: published pricing and plan documentation verified on the date shown; review-site ratings quoted with counts where we could verify them. Related: Synthesia review · Best AI video tools for training videos · Synthesia vs HeyGen.