Overview
Synthesia is an AI-powered video generation platform that enables users to create professional videos using AI avatars and voices without cameras, studios, or actors. The platform transforms text scripts into fully produced videos featuring realistic digital presenters, supporting over 140 languages and dialects for global content distribution.
Designed primarily for enterprise and business users, Synthesia focuses on use cases including corporate training, learning and development, marketing content, sales enablement, internal communications, and compliance training. The platform provides pre-built templates, customizable brand kits, and collaboration features that allow teams to produce consistent, on-brand video content at scale while significantly reducing traditional production costs and timelines.
Synthesia targets L&D teams, marketing departments, corporate communications professionals, and enterprises requiring high-volume multilingual video production. The platform states it is SOC 2 Type II compliant and ISO/IEC 42001 compliant, and provides GDPR-related compliance materials, making it suitable for organizations with security and regulatory requirements.
Key Features
- 230+ AI avatars library — Access a diverse collection of stock avatars representing different ethnicities, ages, and professional styles, with expressive avatars providing more natural delivery in a subset of supported languages.
- Personal avatar creation — Create custom avatars from your own likeness with cloned voice technology that can communicate in over 30 languages, maintaining consistent brand representation across all video content.
- 140+ language support — Generate videos in over 140 languages and dialects including regional variations, with automatic voice synthesis matching avatar lip movements for authentic localization without re-recording.
- AI video generator — Convert written scripts, documents, or presentations into complete videos automatically, with AI suggesting scene layouts, transitions, and visual elements to accelerate production.
- AI dubbing & video translator — Translate existing videos into 130+ languages with AI-generated voiceovers and lip-sync designed to maintain natural delivery, enabling rapid content adaptation for global audiences (quality varies by language and audio conditions).
- Screen recorder integration — Capture screen activity and combine with AI avatar narration for software tutorials, product demos, and technical training without separate editing tools.
- Brand kit & templates — Maintain visual consistency with customizable brand assets including logos, colors, fonts, and backgrounds, plus access to a library of 250+ video templates for common business scenarios.
- Live collaboration & version control — Enable team members to co-edit videos simultaneously with commenting, approval workflows, and version history tracking to streamline content review and publication processes.
- Interactive video features — Add branching scenarios, quizzes, clickable buttons, and knowledge checks within videos to create engaging training experiences with built-in assessment capabilities.
- Analytics & SSO video pages — Track viewer engagement, completion rates, and interaction metrics through the analytics dashboard, with enterprise plans offering single sign-on protected video hosting.
Pricing & Plans
Synthesia offers tiered pricing based on video production volume and feature requirements:
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | Up to 3 minutes per month (360 credits; actual conversion depends on features used), 9 basic avatars, 140+ languages, video templates, watermarked output, basic editing tools |
| Starter | $18/month or $29/month | 10 minutes per month (120 minutes annually, does not roll over), 125+ avatars, removes watermark, video downloads, AI video assistant, AI dubbing capabilities, 1 editor plus 3 guest collaborators, email and chat support |
| Creator | $64/month or $89/month | 30 minutes per month (360 minutes annually, does not roll over), 180+ avatars plus 5 personal avatars, branded video pages, API access, multiple avatars per scene, interactive video features including branching and quizzes, 1 editor plus 5 guests, priority support |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Unlimited video minutes, 230+ stock avatars plus unlimited personal avatars, full brand kit customization, dedicated workspaces with team collaboration, SAML/SSO authentication, SCORM export, 1-click translation workflow (80+ languages), SLA-based support with dedicated success manager |
Annual billing provides reduced monthly rates compared to month-to-month subscriptions. The Free plan allows users to test core functionality with usage limits and watermarked videos. Enterprise pricing varies based on organization size, production volume, security requirements, and service level agreements.
Note: Synthesia supports 140+ languages for video creation, AI dubbing/translation into 130+ languages, and an Enterprise 1-click translation workflow for 80+ languages—these represent different feature capabilities.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Rapid production speed — Create professional videos in minutes without filming, dramatically reducing time from concept to published content compared to traditional video production workflows.
- Significant cost savings — Eliminate expenses for video crews, studio rentals, actors, and post-production services while maintaining professional output quality suitable for business use.
- Extensive language coverage — Support for 140+ languages with automatic voice synthesis and lip synchronization enables efficient global content distribution without regional production teams.
- Enterprise-grade security — SOC 2 Type II and ISO/IEC 42001 compliance, along with GDPR-related materials and content moderation policies, provide assurance for organizations with regulatory and security requirements.
- Consistent brand representation — Maintain uniform messaging, visual identity, and spokesperson appearance across all videos, ensuring brand consistency in corporate and training content.
Cons
- Limited emotional authenticity — AI avatars lack the subtle emotional expression, spontaneity, and genuine human connection needed for storytelling, dramatic content, or highly personal messaging.
- Tiered usage restrictions — Lower-price plans impose strict limits on video minutes, avatar access, and features, requiring expensive upgrades as production volume increases.
- Occasional voice imperfections — Some pronunciations, intonation patterns, and lip-sync alignment issues occur, particularly in less common languages or with technical terminology.
- Creative constraints — Platform focuses on avatar-based presentation format with limited flexibility for cinematic storytelling, advanced motion graphics, or creative visual styles requiring custom production.
- Platform dependency — Content creation relies entirely on cloud infrastructure and platform availability, with content moderation applied to all videos; some users report occasional review steps that may require workflow adjustments for time-sensitive publishing.
Best For
- Learning and development teams producing multilingual training content for global employee populations
- Corporate communications departments creating consistent internal announcements and policy updates at scale
- Marketing teams generating product explainers, tutorials, and promotional content without video production resources
- Sales enablement professionals developing training materials and pitch presentations with standardized messaging
- Compliance and IT departments creating security awareness, onboarding, and regulatory training videos
- Organizations with 50+ employees requiring high-volume video production with brand consistency and security compliance
- Enterprises needing rapid content localization across multiple languages and regions without separate production budgets
FAQ
Is there a free trial available?
Synthesia offers a Free plan providing up to 3 minutes of video per month (360 credits, with actual conversion depending on features used). This plan includes access to 9 basic avatars, all 140+ languages, and video templates, but videos include a Synthesia watermark. As of the current pricing page, the Free plan can be started without a credit card and provides a monthly allowance. Paid plans (Starter and Creator) can be evaluated through the Free plan before upgrading, though premium capabilities like personal avatars, API access, and branded video pages are only available on paid tiers.
What payment methods are accepted?
Self-serve plans typically support major credit cards and other payment methods such as PayPal, though availability may vary by region. Enterprise customers work with the sales team to arrange payment terms including invoicing, purchase orders, and multi-year contracts depending on agreement structure. Annual billing is available for Starter and Creator plans at discounted rates compared to monthly subscriptions, with payment processed through secure infrastructure with recurring billing.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes, self-serve plans can be cancelled at any time through account settings without penalties or cancellation fees. After cancellation, account access and hosted assets may no longer be available, so download any needed videos before cancelling. Enterprise agreements have cancellation terms defined in the specific contract, which may include notice periods or minimum commitment terms. The Free plan has no subscription commitment.
How many avatars can I use?
Avatar availability depends on your plan tier. The Free plan includes 9 basic avatars. Starter plan provides access to 125+ stock avatars. Creator plan offers 180+ stock avatars plus the ability to create 5 personal avatars based on your own likeness. Enterprise plan includes 230+ stock avatars with unlimited personal avatar creation subject to usage policies. Personal avatars require recording yourself reading a script following platform guidelines, with voice cloning capable of speaking in over 30 languages after training. All plans include access to expressive avatars that deliver content with emotional cues in 28 languages.
What languages and voices are supported?
Synthesia supports 140+ languages for creating videos, offers AI dubbing and video translation into 130+ languages, and provides an Enterprise-only 1-click translation workflow covering 80+ languages (feature scopes differ). Stock avatars come with pre-configured voices in multiple languages, though not all voice options are available for every avatar in every language. Personal avatars can be recorded in over 30 languages including Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and many others, with the cloned voice then capable of speaking in any of those languages. Expressive avatars with enhanced natural delivery are available in a subset of supported languages.
Is my data secure and private?
Synthesia states it is SOC 2 Type II compliant and ISO/IEC 42001 compliant for AI management systems, and provides GDPR-related compliance materials. Customer data including scripts, videos, and analytics is encrypted during transmission and storage. Personal avatar recordings and voice data are processed according to privacy policies with user consent required. The platform implements content moderation to prevent misuse of avatar technology, including verification processes for personal avatar creation. Enterprise plans include additional security features such as SAML/SSO authentication, custom data retention policies, and dedicated infrastructure options. Confirm specific compliance details in the security documentation for your procurement process.
Can I create custom avatars that look like me?
Yes, Creator and Enterprise plans include the ability to create personal avatars. The process requires recording yourself reading a provided script using a webcam in good lighting conditions, following guidelines for video quality, audio clarity, and presentation. The platform processes the recording to create a digital avatar of your likeness along with a cloned voice. Creator plan allows 5 personal avatars, while Enterprise plan permits unlimited personal avatars subject to usage policies. Personal avatars can be recorded in over 30 languages, and the resulting cloned voice can then generate speech in any of those languages. Creation requires identity verification and consent documentation to prevent misuse, with content moderation policies enforced on all personal avatar usage.
What video formats can I export?
Synthesia videos can be downloaded in MP4 format, which is compatible with most video players, social media platforms, learning management systems, and presentation software. Video resolution and quality settings depend on your plan tier. Enterprise plans additionally support SCORM-compliant exports for integration with learning management systems, allowing tracking of learner progress and completion. Videos can be hosted on Synthesia's platform with shareable links, embedded on websites using iframe code, or downloaded for self-hosting. Creator and Enterprise plans enable branded video pages with custom domains for professional content delivery.
How does Synthesia compare to traditional video production?
Traditional video production requires coordinating filming schedules, hiring talent, renting studios or locations, recording multiple takes, and post-production editing, typically taking days to weeks and costing thousands per video. Synthesia eliminates these requirements by generating videos from text scripts in minutes, with costs of $18-$89 per month for most business users. Traditional production offers maximum creative flexibility, genuine human emotion, and unrestricted visual styles, making it superior for storytelling, brand films, and content requiring authentic emotional connection. Synthesia excels for high-volume production of training materials, product demos, internal communications, and other content where consistency, speed, multilingual distribution, and cost efficiency outweigh the need for creative cinematography or deep emotional impact.
Can I use Synthesia videos commercially?
Commercial use is generally permitted for videos created with paid plans, but publication rights vary depending on whether you use stock avatars versus custom personal avatars. Stock avatars have specific licensing limitations, including restrictions around certain paid promotions and sensitive contexts such as political campaigns or news content. Customers retain ownership of the videos they create (Customer Data), while Synthesia retains ownership of the platform and stock content. Customers receive a license to use Synthesia content as incorporated in generated videos, subject to the contract and acceptable-use rules. Custom personal avatars are treated as customer data for ownership purposes but are stored and processed by Synthesia to provide the service. Review Synthesia's licensing documentation and acceptable-use policies before running paid advertising campaigns or publishing in political or news-adjacent contexts to ensure compliance.
