Of the 3 AI avatar video generators we rank, HeyGen is our top pick at 8.2 out of 10. If you are new to this, start with D-ID. If you are experienced, try Synthesia. Use HeyGen for explainers, social videos and translating a video you already recorded into another language.
AI avatar tools read your script aloud as an on-screen presenter, so you can make training and explainer videos without filming. Only use a real person's face or voice with their written permission.
Last checked : free plans and prices on each maker's own pricing page.
Every tool at a glance. Select a name to jump to our full review.
What each tool is good for, the catch, what it costs and the free course that teaches it.
HeyGen
The quickest way to turn a script into a talking presenter video, with stock avatars or one made from your own recording.
[PLACEHOLDER] Read the free plan and paid prices on heygen.com/pricing and add them as pricing.
Visit HeyGen (opens in a new tab)No free course we'd recommend yet. You'll learn this one fastest by using it, and the maker's own tutorials are the best place to start.
Synthesia
Built for company training and how-to videos: polished stock presenters, templates and many languages from one script.
[PLACEHOLDER] Read the free plan and paid prices on synthesia.io/pricing and add them as pricing.
Visit Synthesia (opens in a new tab)No free course we'd recommend yet. You'll learn this one fastest by using it, and the maker's own tutorials are the best place to start.
D-ID
Animates a single still photo into a talking head. Fun for short clips, less convincing for anything longer.
[PLACEHOLDER] Read the free plan and paid prices on d-id.com/pricing and add them as pricing.
Visit D-ID (opens in a new tab)No free course we'd recommend yet. You'll learn this one fastest by using it, and the maker's own tutorials are the best place to start.
We haven't found a free course here that's good enough to recommend yet. Until we do, the makers' own tutorials are the best place to learn, and these courses teach the AI basics that carry across every tool.
What large language models can actually do for you and your team, without writing a line of code. Andrew Ng teaches it in 6 hours on Coursera, certificate paid.
The gentlest way in: a University of Helsinki course with no code and no maths beyond school level. It takes about 24 to 48 hours and the certificate is free.
Andrew Ng's non-technical primer on what AI is good for and how to plan around it at work. It takes 7 hours on Coursera, and the certificate is paid.
Our top pick is HeyGen (8.2/10), followed by Synthesia and D-ID. The quickest way to turn a script into a talking presenter video, with stock avatars or one made from your own recording.
Start with HeyGen, then try D-ID. The quickest way to turn a script into a talking presenter video, with stock avatars or one made from your own recording.
Synthesia is our pick for experienced users. Built for company training and how-to videos: polished stock presenters, templates and many languages from one script.
Avatars still look a little synthetic in close-up, and every long video eats into your monthly subscription allowance.
We haven't found a free course good enough to recommend yet. Until we do, the makers' own tutorials are the best place to learn.
None of the AI avatar video generators we rank has a free plan.
Every course we link is free and reviewed. Browse the full catalogue to find one at your level.
