ComparisonUpdated 2025-01-15

6 Best HeyGen Alternatives in 2025 (Cheaper & Free Options)

HeyGen starts at $29/mo with no free plan. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative with similar AI avatar capabilities, or need a free option to test the waters, these alternatives offer compelling value.

VidWolf Verdict

Synthesia is the most direct HeyGen alternative for enterprise use. For a cheaper option, InVideo AI or Pictory cover most content creation needs. For an AI avatar tool with a free plan, Descript's free tier offers value for talking-head content.

#1

Synthesia

Most direct HeyGen alternative with a free trial

Top Alternative
4.7
From $22/moAI Avatar

Best for: Enterprise, training videos, multilingual content

Pros vs HeyGen

  • Lower starting price than HeyGen ($22 vs $29)
  • More polished avatar library
  • Free trial available

Cons vs HeyGen

  • Less powerful video translation than HeyGen
  • No avatar cloning on Starter
Read Synthesia full review →
#2

InVideo AI

Best free HeyGen alternative for YouTube creators

Best Free
4.2
Free plan; from $20/moText-to-Video

Best for: YouTube, social media, budget-conscious creators

Pros vs HeyGen

  • Free plan available (HeyGen has none)
  • Complete video workflow from prompt to export
  • Cheaper paid plans

Cons vs HeyGen

  • No AI presenter avatars
  • Stock footage-based, not avatar-based
Read InVideo AI full review →
#3

Pictory

Best cheaper alternative for text-to-video content

Best Value
4.3
From $19/moText-to-Video

Best for: Content repurposing, bloggers, affordable video creation

Pros vs HeyGen

  • Cheaper than HeyGen at $19/mo
  • Auto blog-to-video
  • Large stock library

Cons vs HeyGen

  • No AI avatar functionality
  • Different core use case
Read Pictory full review →
#4

Runway

Best for creative AI video beyond avatar presentations

4.6
Free tier; from $15/moGenerative AI

Best for: Creative professionals wanting generative AI control

Pros vs HeyGen

  • Free tier available
  • Industry-leading generative AI quality
  • More creative freedom

Cons vs HeyGen

  • No presenter avatars
  • Steeper learning curve
Read Runway full review →
#5

Descript

Best free AI video editor for your own recorded content

4.4
Free plan; from $24/moVideo Editing

Best for: Editing your own recorded video and podcasts

Pros vs HeyGen

  • Free plan available
  • Revolutionary transcript-based editing
  • AI voice cloning for corrections

Cons vs HeyGen

  • Requires recording your own footage
  • Not an avatar generator
Read Descript full review →
#6

Pika Labs

Best free generative AI video for social media

4.1
Free tier; from $8/moGenerative AI

Best for: Short social clips, B-roll generation

Pros vs HeyGen

  • Most generous free tier in the category
  • Very easy to use
  • Good for short social content

Cons vs HeyGen

  • Not for presenter or avatar video
  • Limited to short clips
Read Pika Labs full review →