Synthesia: what it does, who it is for and alternatives
Updated · By Robert Breen
Create training and explainer videos with AI avatars that speak 140+ languages. No camera or studio needed.
Official site: synthesia.io
What Synthesia does
Synthesia's AI Assistant drafts a video from a prompt, a document, a PowerPoint or a web link, and a stock or personal avatar presents it. Finished videos can be translated or dubbed in one click, shared by link, embedded, or exported as SCORM for an LMS. Avatar roleplay sessions let learners practice things like sales calls or feedback conversations.
Who Synthesia is for
- Trainers
- HR managers
- Sales enablement managers
- Marketing managers
Key features
- Turns PowerPoint decks into narrated videos you can edit
- One-click translation and dubbing with a glossary for brand terms
- SCORM export for learning management systems
- Brand Kits, approval workflows and role permissions
- Built-in analytics for views and completion rates
Privacy and data
Synthesia says it is SOC 2, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 42001 and GDPR compliant, with SSO and SCIM for enterprise access. Source: Synthesia’s own page. Before you put client data in, check your company’s AI rules and the plan’s data settings.
Alternatives to Synthesia
Other AI video generators in the directory. For a fuller comparison, see Synthesia alternatives.
- HeyGen Free plan
Best for: Avatar videos and video translation with lip sync. AI avatar videos and video translation with lip sync. Turn scripts into presenter-led videos. - Captions Free plan
Best for: Captioned talking-head videos and a digital twin of yourself. An AI video editor that captions talking-head videos in 100+ languages, trims pauses and filler words, and adds eye contact correction and AI avatars. - Descript Free plan
Best for: Editing video and podcasts by editing the transcript. Edit video and podcasts by editing the transcript like a doc. AI tools remove filler words, clean up sound with Studio Sound and add captions, then you export an MP4. - VEED Free plan
Best for: Online editing with subtitles, AI presenters and screen recording. An online video editor with subtitles, AI avatars, translation and screen recording. - invideo AI Free plan
Best for: A finished video from a prompt or script, with stock footage and voiceover. Turns a prompt or script into a finished video with stock footage, voiceover and music. - Renderforest Free plan
Best for: Narrated explainer and promo videos from a written brief. Turns a written brief into a narrated explainer or promo video with AI scenes, voiceover and captions, plus logos and templates.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Synthesia?
- Create training and explainer videos with AI avatars that speak 140+ languages. No camera or studio needed. Synthesia's AI Assistant drafts a video from a prompt, a document, a PowerPoint or a web link, and a stock or personal avatar presents it. Finished videos can be translated or dubbed in one click, shared by link, embedded, or exported as SCORM for an LMS. Avatar roleplay sessions let learners practice things like sales calls or feedback conversations.
- Who is Synthesia for?
- Synthesia fits trainers, HR managers, sales enablement managers and marketing managers, and other office teams with the same job to do.
- Is Synthesia free?
- Synthesia has a free plan; paid plans add more usage or features. Plans change often, so check the official pricing page before you commit.
- What are some alternatives to Synthesia?
- Other AI video generators include HeyGen, Captions, Descript, VEED and invideo AI.
- Is Synthesia safe for work data?
- Synthesia says it is SOC 2, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 42001 and GDPR compliant, with SSO and SCIM for enterprise access. Check your own company’s rules, and use a business plan with training turned off for client data.
“Listed on Stepthrough” badge
Add this badge to the Synthesia website, press page or docs. It links to this page, so your visitors can see the listing.
<a href="https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/synthesia" title="Synthesia is listed on Stepthrough"><img src="https://learn.ynteractive.com/badges/listed-on-stepthrough.svg" alt="Listed on Stepthrough" width="200" height="54" /></a>
Checked against Synthesia’s official site on October 20, 2026: source 1, source 2. Spotted something out of date? Email rbreen@ynteractive.com. Listings are free; submit your AI tool.
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