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The Ultimate Guide on How to Use the Synthesia AI Avatar Generator

Utkarsh Jaiswal
Utkarsh Jaiswal
Copywriter, Content Writer

Creating videos is now as easy as typing a message. 

With Synthesia AI, you can make high-quality videos in just a few minutes—no need for cameras, actors, or editing tools. You can turn your written script into a professional video with just one click. It offers avatars that speak naturally and are available in different languages.

Whether you're a teacher, a business owner, or someone who creates online content, Synthesia lets you make engaging videos without the hassle of traditional video production.

In this review, we will look closely at Synthesia’s AI Avatar generator. 

Is it really as simple and efficient as it claims to be, or are there some downsides you should know about?

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Table of Contents:

    What is Synthesia AI?

    Synthesia is a website that lets you make videos using AI. You just need to type in text, and it turns that text into speech with custom AI avatars that lip-sync along with it.

    People like Synthesia because it's user-friendly, offers a wide array of avatars, and supports many languages and voices. It's especially helpful if you're not familiar with video creation. You can use it to make training videos, tutorials, product demonstrations, or corporate content without needing a camera, actors, or a studio.

    Some of the popular features of Synthesia include:

    • Ready-to-Use Templates: Synthesia offers various templates to simplify video creation.
    • AI Avatars: Enhance your videos by selecting from over 230 diverse and expressive AI avatars that are ready to use.
    • AI Voices and Language: Choose from a selection of natural-sounding voices to convert your script into high-quality voiceovers, available in multiple languages and accents—perfect for reaching a global audience.
    • Personal Avatars: You can create custom avatars for more personalized content.

    We’ve also reviewed the top 3 best AI avatar generators (BIGVU vs HeyGen vs Synthesia)!

    Synthesia is excellent for those seeking a library of avatars.

    In What Situations Can AI Avatar Videos be useful?

    Here are some of the scenarios where you can use AI avatars to create videos-

    • Educational Content- You can create learning courses for students or other educational purposes without appearing on camera.
    • Onboarding New Employees- If you want to create videos for internal communication in your company, such as onboarding new employees or creating presentations without actually recording video, AI Avatars are the perfect solution.
    • Creating Videos for Your Clients- Some users on G2 mentioned that they have used Synthesia to create videos for their clients, either to pitch a presentation or discuss a specific topic.

    How to Make Videos Using Synthesia AI Avatars?

    You might be amongst either of the two types of users-

    1. You’re already familiar with the video-making process, and your clients have asked you to create more AI and corporate videos.
    2. You have no professional video-making skills but want to create videos for your courses or internal communications.

    In either case, Synthesia can help you create videos with AI and generate your own avatar.

    In Synthesia, you can create 3 types of AI avatars-

    • Avatar Builder- Customize your avatar with colors and a brand logo.
    • Personal Avatar- Create your avatar with a realistic background.
    • Studio Avatar- Create the highest quality professional avatar that can also be placed in front of a green screen.

    However, all these options come with paid plans. In the free plan, you can still create videos using some of their stock avatars. 

    Synthesia custom avatars

    Let’s see how to do that…

    Step 1- Choose the Template

    Step 1- Choose the template

    Choose the template that you think will best suit your video. You’ll also find some AI avatars to choose from.

    Step 2- Write Your Script and Edit Your Video

    Step 2- Write Your Script and Edit Your Video

    In this step, you can write your script for each scene of your video and edit it as a single scene.

    You can add multiple scenes and write a script for each one. Then you can add your logo, change your avatar, background image, fonts, colors, text, etc.

    However, if you’re using the free version, you can’t remove the watermark.

    Step 3- Generate Your Video and Share

    Step 3- Generate Your Video and Share

    Once everything is done, click ‘generate.’ Your video will be ready in about 10 minutes.

    You can edit it again, share it, publish it, and even translate it into different languages.

    Have a look at our sample video that we created using the Synthesia AI Avatar-

    Our Opinion: Should You Use Synthesia AI Avatars to Create Your Videos?

    Synthesia can be a decent option if you want to:

    • Produce videos as quickly as possible.
    • Stop paying actors or expensive videographers. 
    • Create an entertaining aspect to capture your client's attention.

    All of this can be done without actually appearing on camera and recording yourself!

    Synthesia is Not Enough...

    Synthesia is certainly great, but it's not for you if you are trying to build your personal brand and create an authentic connection with your audience.

    People connect with people, and if all your videos feature a stock Avatar, you’re missing out on the opportunity to create true brand authority.

    Moreover, Synthesia is limited to AI avatars, so in addition to having a Synthesia subscription, you'll need a:

    • Teleprompter App
    • Video Editing App
    • Video Email Messaging Platform
    • Social Media Scheduler 

    Having to juggle several video creation platforms can be a real pain. Wouldn’t it be better to just stick to an all-in-one platform?

    Does Synthesia have a mobile app?

    Synthesia currently does not have a mobile app- meaning that all your video creation will need to be done from a browser.

    The Top Features of Synthesia That Impressed Us…

    Video Templates

    Because of their vast library of video templates, you don’t have to worry too much about editing. You can find templates for all types of videos.

    However, customizing each scene can be a pain and not straightforward.

    Video Translations

    This feature can help you translate your video into different languages, making your content more personalized for anyone who doesn't understand your native language. This feature is not available in the free plan.

    In contrast, BIGVU allows you to translate your video at much lower plans compared to Synthesia.

    Adding Music

    In some of Synthesia's reviews, a few users mention that they liked this option as an add-on but do not use it regularly.

    However, with BIGVU, you can create any soundtrack using AI based on your mood and genre!

    Background Image 

    We've found that the ease of changing background images from their vast library is excellent. 

    Similarly to BIGVU they have integrated Pexels, a royalty-free media library, with their platform.

    Synthesia Common Reviews on G2…

    Let’s examine Synthesia and what users think about the platform after trying it out. Many were curious to see how it would perform in real-world situations and whether it could meet their expectations. 

    As people explored its features, they formed different opinions based on their needs and experiences. Now, let’s dive into some feedback and insights shared by its users on G2. 

    Benefits

    • Time Efficiency: Create videos in a fraction of the time.
    • Easy-to-Use Interface: A simple platform design that even those with no video editing experience can use. 
    • Customizable Avatars: Users can select from a library of AI avatars or create personalized avatars.
    • Multilingual Support: Offers a wide range of languages and accents for global audiences.

    Disadvantages 

    • Customization Limits: People want to have the ability to customize avatars. 
    • Custom AI Avatars: Although people found Synthesia’s avatars impressive, they still appeared computer-generated and unnatural. 
    • Pronunciation Issues: AI-generated voices sometimes mispronounce words or sound unnatural, particularly in non-English languages.
    • Editing Limitations: There are no advanced video editing features.
    • Lag and Slow Processing: Some users experience slow video processing times or system lags.
    Pros Cons
    Human-like and less robotic avatars. Sometimes the app feels buggy, and you have to wait much longer for the results.
    Variety of emotions in AI characters. Lack of video effects and transitions.
    Dynamic movements. Fewer customization options for personal avatars (clothes, voice, etc.).
    Doesn't look like a cartoon. Lack of translation languages (as one reviewer mentioned that she was disappointed because she could not translate her video to Dutch).
    Accents in human voices. Inability to create a personalized video script with AI.

    Synthesia Pricing- Is it worth it?

    Synthesia offers 3 different subscription packages, each with a range of features and limitations depending on your needs. Let’s see which one is the right fit for you. 

    Free 

    Includes: 

    • Up to 9 ready-to-use AI avatars
    • 36 minutes available for the year
    • More than 140 languages and voices
    • More than 60 premade video templates 

    Starter - $ 29 Monthly Payment

    Everything in the Free Plan including:

    • More than 125 ready-to-use AI avatars
    • 3 custom AI avatars
    • 120 minutes available for the year
    • AI video assistant 

    Creator-$ 89 Monthly Payment

    Everything in the Starter Plan Including: 

    • More than 180 ready-to-use AI avatars
    • 5 custom AI avatars
    • 30 minutes available per month
    • Branded video page
    • Custom Font

    Synthesia’s subscription plans each have a varied range of upgrades and limitations. The value of Synthesia’s plans really depends on the type of project you're working on. 

    For quick, straightforward videos, it may be worth the price. However, if your projects require more advanced customization or detailed editing, the cost might feel less justified.

    Synthesia Alternatives

    As you can see…

    Synthesia’s pricing can feel a bit high, especially if you're looking for more features and flexibility. 

    If you’re looking for a solid Synthesia alternative, BIGVU is worth considering. 

    BIGVU offers more realistic avatars and is an all-in-one platform that allows you to live stream, use unlimited subtitle translations, and automate video production with AI-powered tools. The platform is available both on a web browser and as a mobile app, so you can create videos anywhere, any time.

    Plus, the pricing is more flexible, giving you options that suit different project needs. If you're after a more cost-effective solution with added features, BIGVU might be the better choice.

    Unlike Synthesia, BIGVU includes a wide range of AI tools to streamline the video creation process from start to finish.

    Such AI features are:

    • AI Voice Cloning: This tool enables you to quickly and easily create AI replicas of human voices, including your own.
    BIGVU: Avatar Twin+ Automatic AI Editing

    In addition to these AI features, BIGVU includes a built-in teleprompter that simplifies recording and ensures smoother delivery of your script. 

    It combines many tools into one app, which saves time and effort when making videos. 

    With its flexible pricing and strong features, BIGVU is a practical and budget-friendly option compared to Synthesia for people who need advanced tools.

    On the other hand, Synthesia offers an easy way to create AI-generated videos with stock avatars and voiceovers. 

    While it is simple and fast to use, it has some limitations in customizing avatars, making voices sound natural, and editing flexibility. If you want to quickly make professional-looking content without needing advanced video skills, Synthesia is a good choice.

    However, if you're looking for an app that can guide you through the entire video creation process and one that maintains your brand identity, from start to finish, with all the necessary tools along the way—like BIGVU, for instance—Synthesia falls short. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Synthesia?

    Synthesia is an AI video creation platform that turns text into professional videos using custom avatars and voiceovers, making video production quick and easy without the need for cameras or actors.

    How much does Synthesia cost?

    Synthesia offers various payment options from $29-$89/month, depending on your needs. 

    What is a personal avatar? 

    A personal avatar is a custom digital representation of a person created in a platform like Synthesia. This allows users to create personalized video content featuring a virtual version of themselves or someone else.