Skip to content
ToolGPA

Alternatives · Screen Recording

Synthesia alternatives

Synthesia compared with 7 alternatives: HeyGen, Captions, VEED, Google Vids, Descript and 2 more.

Synthesia has a free plan. Paid plans start at $18 per month, billed yearly ($29 billed monthly). All 7 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

7 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
SynthesiaThis toolFree plan · from $18/moYesWeb, Browser extension
HeyGenFree plan · from $24/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
CaptionsFree plan · from $4.99/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
VEEDFree plan · from $25/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
Google VidsFree plan · from $7/moYesWeb
DescriptFree plan · from $16/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows
ArcadeFree plan · from $42.50/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Browser extension
CluesoFree plan · from $40/moYesWeb, Browser extension

How each one differs from Synthesia

  1. HeyGen

    AI video generator with realistic avatars and video translation

    • HeyGen starts at $24 per month, billed annually ($29 billed monthly). Synthesia starts at $18 per month, billed yearly ($29 billed monthly).
    • Only HeyGen lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Synthesia lists a browser extension.
    • Synthesia also covers screen recording.

    Suits: Marketers and creators making presenter videos without a camera

    HeyGen vs SynthesiaHeyGen pricing and details

  2. Captions

    AI video editor and generator for short talking-head videos

    • Captions starts at $4.99 per month for Lite (Android only); Basic is $9.99 per month. Synthesia starts at $18 per month, billed yearly ($29 billed monthly).
    • Only Captions lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Synthesia lists a browser extension.
    • Captions also covers transcription, noise cancellation and video editing.
    • Synthesia also covers templates and screen recording.

    Suits: Creators posting short talking-head videos to TikTok, Instagram and YouTube Shorts

    Captions vs SynthesiaCaptions pricing and details

  3. VEED

    Browser-based AI video generator and editor for social video

    • VEED starts at $25 per month or $146.99 per year for Creator (US App Store prices). Synthesia starts at $18 per month, billed yearly ($29 billed monthly).
    • Only VEED lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Synthesia lists a browser extension.
    • VEED also covers transcription, noise cancellation and video editing.

    Suits: Marketers and creators making short social videos in a browser

    VEED vs SynthesiaVEED pricing and details

  4. Google Vids

    Google Workspace's AI video creator and editor

    • Google Vids starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter). Synthesia starts at $18 per month, billed yearly ($29 billed monthly).
    • Only Synthesia lists a browser extension.
    • Google Vids also covers transcription and video editing.

    Suits: Organizations already on Google Workspace that want video included

    Google Vids vs SynthesiaGoogle Vids pricing and details

  5. Descript

    Audio and video editor that works by editing the transcript

    • Descript starts at $16 per person / month, billed annually ($24 billed monthly). Synthesia starts at $18 per month, billed yearly ($29 billed monthly).
    • Only Descript lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Only Synthesia lists a browser extension.
    • Descript also covers transcription, noise cancellation and video editing.
    • Synthesia also covers templates.

    Suits: Podcasters and video creators who prefer editing a transcript to a timeline

    Descript vs SynthesiaDescript pricing and details

  6. Arcade

    Interactive product demos and AI-generated product videos

    • Arcade starts at $42.50 per seat / month, billed yearly ($50 billed monthly). Synthesia starts at $18 per month, billed yearly ($29 billed monthly).
    • Only Arcade lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Arcade also covers video editing.
    • Synthesia also covers templates.

    Suits: Product marketers embedding interactive demos on a website or launch page

    Arcade vs SynthesiaArcade pricing and details

  7. Clueso

    AI platform that turns screen recordings into product videos

    • Clueso starts at $40 per month, billed yearly; $50 billed monthly. Synthesia starts at $18 per month, billed yearly ($29 billed monthly).
    • Clueso also covers video editing and AI agents.

    Suits: Customer education and product teams producing tutorials at volume

    Clueso vs SynthesiaClueso pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Synthesia

  • Basic videos carry a Synthesia watermark; downloading videos and removing the logo start on the Starter plan.
  • Usage is metered in credits: video costs about 100 credits a minute, so Starter's 1,250 monthly credits add roughly 12 minutes.
  • Self-serve plans include 1 editor; Starter adds 3 guests and Pro 5, and guests are invited to comment on videos.
  • SAML/SSO, live team collaboration, SCORM export and 1-click translation are listed under the Enterprise plan.
Synthesia pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Synthesia?

The alternatives to Synthesia in this directory are HeyGen, Captions, VEED, Google Vids, Descript, Arcade and Clueso. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Synthesia.

Is there a free alternative to Synthesia?

Yes. HeyGen, Captions, VEED, Google Vids, Descript, Arcade and Clueso have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Synthesia alternatives work on Windows?

The Synthesia listing does not include a Windows app. Descript and Arcade list one.

Which Synthesia alternatives work on macOS?

The Synthesia listing does not include a macOS app. Descript and Arcade list one.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

Keep reading

  • +1
    Alternatives

    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

  • +4
    Best 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