Alternatives · Screen Recording
Elai alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded Elai alternative is HeyGen (2.6 GPA). It's also the best free one.
Elai compared with 6 alternatives: Synthesia, HeyGen, DeepBrain AI Studios, Wondershare Virbo, Steve AI and 1 more.
Elai has a free plan. Paid plans start at $23 per month for 15 minutes, billed annually ($29 billed monthly). 5 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a Elai sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| ElaiThis tool | Free plan · from $23/mo | Yes | Web |
| Synthesia | Free plan · from $14/mo | Yes | Web, Browser extension |
| HeyGen | Free plan · from $24/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| DeepBrain AI Studios | Free plan · from $24/mo | Yes | Web |
| Wondershare Virbo | From $109/yr | No | Web, iOS |
| Steve AI | Free plan · from $19/mo | Yes | Web, iOS |
| Tavus | Free plan · from $59/mo | Yes | Web |
Price against what you get
Elai starts at $23 a month and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. 1 of the 6 alternatives on this chart scores higher and starts lower: Synthesia.
HeyGen and Tavus score higher without starting lower. Wondershare Virbo and Steve AI start lower without scoring higher.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Elai
Synthesia
AI video platform that turns scripts into avatar-presented videos
- Synthesia starts at $14 per month, billed yearly ($19 billed monthly).
- Synthesia also lists a browser extension.
- Synthesia also covers templates and screen recording.
- Synthesia does not cover video generation, text to speech and voice cloning, which Elai does.
Suits: Training and L&D teams producing videos without filming
HeyGen
AI video generator with realistic avatars and video translation
- HeyGen starts at $24 per month, billed annually ($29 billed monthly).
- HeyGen also lists iOS and Android apps.
- HeyGen also covers templates.
- HeyGen does not cover video generation, text to speech and voice cloning, which Elai does.
Suits: Marketers and creators making presenter videos without a camera
DeepBrain AI Studios
AI avatar video maker with dubbing and interactive avatars
- DeepBrain AI Studios starts at $24 per month, billed yearly ($29 billed monthly).
- DeepBrain AI Studios also covers templates and video editing.
Suits: Training and explainer videos made without filming a presenter
Wondershare Virbo
AI marketing video maker with AI sales influencers
- Wondershare Virbo starts at $109 per year (Basic, 600 credits a month), or $9.9 per week.
- Wondershare Virbo has no free plan, unlike Elai.
- Wondershare Virbo also lists an iOS app.
- Wondershare Virbo also covers ad creative.
- Wondershare Virbo does not cover text to speech and voice cloning, which Elai does.
Suits: E-commerce sellers making many short product ads
Steve AI
Prompt-to-video maker for animated, stock and generative clips
- Steve AI starts at $19 per month (billing basis not confirmed).
- Steve AI also lists an iOS app.
- Steve AI also covers video editing.
- Steve AI does not cover voice cloning, which Elai does.
Suits: Faceless videos for social media, explainers and training
Tavus
Developer platform for real-time AI video conversations
- Tavus starts at $59 per month plus pay-as-you-go usage.
- Tavus also covers AI agents.
- Tavus does not cover text to speech and voice cloning, which Elai does.
Suits: Developers adding a talking AI human to a product
Limits worth knowing in Elai
- Plans are measured in render minutes, and every render uses minutes, even a re-render of the same video.
- Extra minutes cost $2 each and can only be bought on paid subscriptions.
- Voice clones and selfie avatars are add-ons on Creator ($200 and $199 per year); Team annual includes one of each.
- The free plan is limited to 1 minute of video.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Elai?
The alternatives to Elai in this directory are Synthesia, HeyGen, DeepBrain AI Studios, Wondershare Virbo, Steve AI and Tavus. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Elai.
Is there a free alternative to Elai?
Yes. Synthesia, HeyGen, DeepBrain AI Studios, Steve AI and Tavus have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Elai alternatives work on Android?
The Elai listing does not include an Android app. HeyGen lists one.
Which Elai alternatives work on iOS?
The Elai listing does not include an iOS app. HeyGen, Wondershare Virbo and Steve AI list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 9, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
Keep reading
- +1Alternatives
The best Loom alternatives in 2026
Five alternatives to Loom for people who have outgrown its 25-video free plan or its basic editing, from a recorder with a built-in editor to a one-time purchase for the Mac. Each pick says how it differs and what it costs.
5 tools · Updated October 2026
- +4Best of
The best screen recording software in 2026
Eight screen recorders worth a look, from a free open-source program to a one-time purchase for the Mac. Each pick says who it suits, what it costs and where it stops.
8 tools · Updated October 2026
