HeyGen makes talking presenter videos from a script, using stock or custom AI avatars, and can translate them into more than 175 languages. It is the best choice for small businesses that need explainers, FAQs or training videos without filming. The free plan is a useful test, but one minute videos are short, so most people will need Creator at $29 a month.
What HeyGen is
HeyGen is an AI avatar video tool. You write or paste a script, choose an avatar, and HeyGen produces a video of a person speaking it, with lip sync and voice HeyGen ↗. You can use a stock avatar or create a custom avatar of yourself, and custom avatars require on camera identity verification from the person shown HeyGen ↗.
It also translates video. You upload a file or a YouTube link and HeyGen translates it into 175+ languages and dialects with lip sync and voice cloning HeyGen ↗. Other tools turn text, images, audio, or a PowerPoint or PDF into video HeyGen ↗.
It is not a cinematic clip generator. If you want a scenic shot or a product in motion from a prompt, a video model tool fits better. Hands on testing is in progress. This review is based on HeyGen's own pages.
What it does well
It replaces filming for simple videos. An owner can record one explainer, a set of FAQ answers or staff training without a camera crew, then update the script and regenerate when something changes.
Language reach is the standout. Paid plans support 175+ languages and dialects, and Pro lets you edit and proofread translation scripts HeyGen pricing ↗. That makes it easy to publish the same explainer in Spanish and other languages.
The free plan is generous for a test. It includes three videos a month up to one minute, 1080p export, more than 500 stock avatars, one custom avatar, up to three photo avatars, one voice clone and over 30 languages HeyGen pricing ↗. Avatar IV, HeyGen's more realistic avatar model, is available for one minute videos on free HeyGen pricing ↗.
The editor goes beyond avatars. AI Studio is a script based editor with control over gestures and emotion, plus a brand kit, auto captions, B roll, comments and multi user editing HeyGen ↗. Business adds SSO, SCORM export for training systems and integrations with n8n, Make, HubSpot and Zapier HeyGen pricing ↗.
HeyGen lists GDPR, SOC 2 Type II and CCPA on its site and says it scans generations for policy violations HeyGen ↗. It reports a 4.8 out of 5 rating on G2 HeyGen ↗.
Where it falls short
Free videos are short. One minute and three videos a month is enough to test, not to run a channel HeyGen pricing ↗. Watermark removal is listed only on paid plans HeyGen pricing ↗.
It is credit based. Creator includes 600 credits a month and Pro 1,000, and the pricing page does not explain plainly how many minutes of each video type a credit buys HeyGen pricing ↗. Credits do roll over on Creator HeyGen pricing ↗.
4K needs Pro. Free and Creator export up to 1080p HeyGen pricing ↗.
Avatar video has limits. It suits a presenter talking to camera; it is not built for creative or cinematic footage.
Pricing and plans
Free: $0 for 3 videos a month, up to 1 minute each, 1080p, 1 custom avatar, 1 voice clone and 30+ languages HeyGen pricing ↗.
Creator: $29 a month, or $24 a month billed yearly. Includes 600 credits a month that roll over, videos up to 30 minutes, 1080p, watermark removal, 700+ stock avatars, unlimited photo avatars and 175+ languages HeyGen pricing ↗.
Pro: $49 a month for 1,000 credits, 4K export and maximum voice cloning use HeyGen pricing ↗. Higher Pro tiers scale up to 100,000 credits for $4,300 a month HeyGen pricing ↗.
Business: $149 a month plus $20 per seat, with 1,500 credits, videos up to 60 minutes, 5+ custom avatars, SSO, SCORM export and integrations HeyGen pricing ↗. Credit packs and auto reload are available HeyGen pricing ↗.
Enterprise: priced by sales, with no video length cap, 10+ custom avatars and unlimited voice cloning HeyGen pricing ↗. API pricing is listed separately HeyGen pricing ↗. Extra custom avatars are an add on on paid plans HeyGen pricing ↗.
Who should (and shouldn't) use it
- Good fit: businesses that want explainers, FAQs, onboarding or training videos with a presenter on screen.
- Good fit: anyone who needs the same video in several languages HeyGen pricing ↗ HeyGen ↗.
- Skip it if: you want cinematic clips, ads with motion or creative shots from a prompt.
- Skip it if: you need long videos for free; free is capped at 1 minute HeyGen pricing ↗.
Alternatives worth a look
- Synthesia: an avatar tool for training and corporate video; free includes 10 minutes with a watermark, and Starter is $29 a month for about 12 minutes Synthesia pricing ↗.
- Google Flow: for short, high quality AI clips; Google's Gemini Omni video models top Arena's text to video leaderboard Arena leaderboard ↗.
- Runway: many video models plus editing tools for creators who make video often Runway pricing ↗.
Where it appears
Also greatThe Best AI Translation ToolAlso greatThe Best AI Video GeneratorWhat’s good
- Useful free plan
- Long videos on paid plans
- Many languages
What to know
- Free videos limited to 1 minute
- Not for cinematic clips
Key features
- Avatar IV
- 500+ stock avatars and custom avatars
- Voice cloning on paid plans
- 175+ languages on paid plans
- 4K export on Pro
- SSO and team features on Business
Works with
Questions people ask
Is HeyGen free?
Yes. The free plan includes 3 videos a month up to 1 minute each, one custom avatar and 30+ languages HeyGen pricing ↗.
How much does HeyGen cost?
Creator is $29 a month, or $24 billed yearly. Pro is $49 a month and Business $149 a month plus $20 per seat HeyGen pricing ↗.
Can HeyGen translate videos?
Yes. It translates uploaded videos or YouTube links into 175+ languages and dialects with lip sync and voice cloning HeyGen ↗.
HeyGen or Synthesia?
Both start at $29 a month. HeyGen Creator allows videos up to 30 minutes HeyGen pricing ↗, while Synthesia Starter covers about 12 minutes Synthesia pricing ↗.
Where this comes from
Checked Oct 9, 2026. Vendor pages describe their own products; independent sources add outside views. Hands on testing is in progress.
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