What you'll have
A 1–5 minute video with an AI presenter reading a script, slides and visuals behind them, captions, and versions in other languages.
Who pays for it: Small companies that need onboarding, training or product videos but have no studio. Sold per video or as a monthly package.
The stack and what it costs
| Tool | Month 1 | Ongoing (per month) | Notes and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthesia AI presenter videos | Basic (free, watermark) $0 | Starter $29 | Pricing page, read 17 October 2026 |
| HeyGen Alternative for marketing videos | Free $0 | Creator $29 | Pricing page, read 17 October 2026 |
| Total | $0 | $58/mo Estimate | Sum of the rows. Excludes tax, per-sale fees and anything marked "–" (not verified or usage-based). |
Plan prices are list prices in USD from each tool's pricing page; plan choices for month 1 and ongoing are our estimate for one person doing this part time.
Step by step
5 of 5 steps are checked against official docs. Menu names are quoted from the linked docs as of the date shown; apps change, so follow the doc if what you see differs.
Know what the free plan can do
On Synthesia's free plan you can start from a template, import a PowerPoint, start from blank or use AI dubbing. Starting from a prompt, a script or a file needs a paid plan, because those run through Assistant.
Source: Synthesia Docs: Video creation, read 20 October 2026
Start a video from a prompt
On the Home screen, select Create video and describe the topic, audience and objective. Attach PDFs, slides, documents or URLs if useful, and choose a duration: Auto, Short, Medium or Long.
Source: Synthesia Help: Create a video using Assistant, read 20 October 2026
Set the style and review the outline
Choose a delivery style (Presentation or Dynamic) and a template. Assistant drafts numbered sections you can edit, delete or add to.
Source: Synthesia Help: Create a video using Assistant, read 20 October 2026
Or import a finished script
On Home, select More, then Import script, to use your script word for word.
Source: Synthesia Help: Create a video using Assistant, read 20 October 2026
Generate, then check every scene
Select Generate video, or Continue to editor to adjust scenes first. Watch it through for names and product terms.
Source: Synthesia Help: Create a video using Assistant, read 20 October 2026
Common mistakes
- Delivering watermarked free-plan videos to a client.
- Scripts that read like documents. Write for speech: short sentences, one idea per scene.
- Using someone's likeness without consent. Synthesia requires a live consent recording for personal avatars.
Rights and terms check
HeyGen's free plan is limited to personal, non-commercial evaluation. We couldn't quote Synthesia's output terms because its terms page returned a 404 when we checked. See the rights matrix, and use a paid plan for client work.
A summary of public terms, not legal advice. Commercial-rights matrix
Alternatives and when to pick them
| Tool | When to choose it | Free plan | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeyGen | Pick it if you make marketing and social videos and want lip-synced translation. | Yes | $0 · then $29/mo, or $24/mo billed yearly |
| Colossyan | Pick it if you make workplace training with interactive scenarios. | Trial only | Paid plans only |
| D-ID | Pick it if you want to animate a single photo. | Trial only | Paid plans only |
Prices for tools without an in-depth profile aren't verified by us; we show the pricing model only.
Still choosing? What's the best AI avatar video tool? · All AI avatar video tools compared
How to get your first customer
- Turn a local business's FAQ page into a 90-second explainer and send it to them.
- Offer a second-language version as an add-on.
Our suggestions, not guarantees. Earnings vary.
FAQ
Synthesia or HeyGen?
Training content: Synthesia. Marketing and social: HeyGen. Both start at $29/month on monthly billing (read 17 Oct 2026). See the comparison.
Can I use the free plans for clients?
No. Neither free plan suits paid client work.
Sources
- Synthesia Help: Create a video using Assistant (read 20 October 2026)
- Synthesia Docs: Video creation (read 20 October 2026)
- Synthesia pricing (read 17 October 2026)
- HeyGen pricing (read 17 October 2026)
Steps checked 20 October 2026; prices checked 17 October 2026. Corrections: hello@agenthustles.com.