AI WORKS FOR ALL
I've been using Synthesia for several years now, having chosen it after an initial deep dive into the top AI video platforms available at the time. Back then, the main contenders were Synthesia, HeyGen, and Hour One—and while those names are still prominent, the platforms themselves have evolved quite a bit. Given how fast generative AI has matured, it feels like the right time to revisit the landscape and evaluate how these tools stack up today. This comparison focuses on Synthesia vs. HeyGen, the two front-runners in 2025, to help assess whether it's worth continuing with my current setup or exploring new capabilities.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the two platforms, highlighting the key features that matter most (to me).
Feature | Synthesia | HeyGen |
Use Case Strengths | Training, onboarding, corporate explainers | Marketing, social media, product demos |
Avatars | 160+ diverse avatars, ultra-professional look | 100+ avatars, including expressive & stylized options |
Custom Avatars | ✅ Yes (Enterprise plans) | ✅ Yes (including instant avatar creation) |
Voice Languages | 120+ languages with natural TTS voices | 40+ languages, many accents, very expressive TTS |
Voice Cloning | 🔒 Enterprise only | ✅ Available on Pro plans |
Scene Editing | Limited layout control, mainly slide-based | Advanced scene-by-scene editing with drag/drop timeline |
Green Screen / Talking Head | ❌ (backgrounds are fixed to templates) | ✅ Yes, supports transparency and green screen |
Input Types | Text, PowerPoint, URL import | Text, Audio, Video, Script Templates |
Video Styles | Corporate, clean, professional | More expressive, modern, social-media friendly |
Output Quality | 1080p (no 4K) | 1080p and 4K support |
Custom Branding | ✅ Logos, templates, brand kits | ✅ Scene templates, logos, colors |
API / Automation | ✅ Strong API support for scale | ✅ Available, still maturing |
Integrations | LMS, CMS, enterprise systems | Zapier, HubSpot, marketing tools |
Pricing | Starts at ~$30/month (Standard), Enterprise for scaling | Starts at ~$29/month, more flexible tiers |
Trial / Free Version | Free demo video only | Free plan available with watermarked exports |
🔑 Key Takeaways for My Use Case: Corporate Training & Education
Because my primary focus is on corporate-grade training and educational content, I lean toward platforms that deliver consistency, professionalism, and scalability. Here's how I see the strengths of each platform in that context:
✅ Why Synthesia Still Fits Best
Polished, professional look: Clean avatars, minimal distractions, and consistent visual style work well for internal audiences.
Structured slide-based flow: Ideal for step-by-step tutorials, policy overviews, and onboarding modules.
Wide language support: Over 120 languages with high-quality TTS voices helps support global teams.
Enterprise-grade features: Strong API support, team collaboration tools, and brand control ensure scalability.
Custom avatar options: Great for maintaining a familiar face across training series.
🛠 What HeyGen Does Well (But Less Aligned for Me)
Creative scene editing: More flexible timeline and transitions, but can be too dynamic for formal training.
Expressive avatars and voices: Great for engagement, though sometimes overly animated for serious content.
Better suited for marketing: Social-friendly templates and storytelling formats shine in outbound content, less so in instructional design.
Let me know if you have any questions, reach out at jayw@aiworksforall.com
