Synthesia creates AI-driven videos with avatars, while ElevenLabs delivers hyper-realistic voices. Your choice depends on whether you need video-first or audio-first content.
Introduction
AI has transformed how creators, SaaS founders, and marketers build content. Today, two tools dominate discussions in the voice and video space: Synthesia and ElevenLabs. Both solve different problems like Synthesia makes professional videos with AI avatars, while ElevenLabs creates hyper-realistic voices. Choosing the right platform depends on your goals, budget, and workflow. This guide breaks down everything you need to know.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this guide:
- The core differences between Synthesia and ElevenLabs
- Key features, benefits, and pricing models of both tools
- Pros, cons, and ideal use cases for creators and businesses
- How to decide between video-first vs. audio-first content strategies
- Why combining both tools can maximize your content workflow
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Synthesia | ElevenLabs |
| Core Focus | AI video creation with avatars & TTS | AI voice generation, cloning & dubbing |
| Visuals | Built-in avatars, templates, subtitles | Audio only (no avatars/visuals) |
| Voice Quality | Good but limited expressiveness | Industry-leading realism & emotional nuance |
| Language Support | 120+ languages, video dubbing | 70+ languages, strong accent control |
| Pricing | Based on video minutes & avatars | Based on voice cloning & usage |
| Best For | Training, marketing, explainer videos | Podcasts, narration, dubbing, brand voices |
Synthesia Overview
Features
- Create videos using AI avatars and scripts.
- Supports subtitles, dubbing, and localization.
- Large library of avatars, with custom avatar options.
- Templates for marketing, training, and explainer content.
Benefits
- Saves time vs hiring actors and studios.
- Easy for non-technical users with drag-and-drop tools.
- Ideal for scaling multilingual video production.
Integrations
- Can export videos for use in LMS, CRMs, and marketing platforms.
Usability
- Very beginner-friendly.
- Minimal technical skill required.
Pricing
- Subscription model tied to video minutes and avatar access.
ElevenLabs Overview
Features
- Text-to-speech with lifelike voices.
- Voice cloning with just a short sample.
- Emotional nuance: pitch, pacing, intonation control.
- API for embedding voice generation into apps.
Benefits
- Best-in-class for natural-sounding speech.
- Perfect for audio-centric projects like podcasts and narration.
- Brands can maintain consistent voice identity.
Integrations
- Audio exports integrate with video editors, apps, and SaaS platforms.
Usability
- Slightly steeper learning curve due to advanced voice settings.
Pricing
- Free tier with limits; paid tiers scale with voice cloning and usage.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Category | Synthesia | ElevenLabs |
| Core Purpose | Full video production with avatars | Advanced voice creation and cloning |
| Collaboration | Team access, brand assets, shared templates | Voice library sharing, API for dev teams |
| Pricing | Higher for video volume & custom avatars | Higher for large-scale cloning & custom voices |
| AI Models | TTS + avatar animation + NLP for scripts | Neural TTS + deep voice cloning + emotional speech |
| Ease of Use | Very simple for beginners | More complex but more control |
| Scalability | Great for global video production | Great for scaling branded audio |
Pros & Cons
Synthesia
Pros
- All-in-one video solution.
- Easy multilingual dubbing.
- Fast content creation.
- Great for corporate training & marketing.
- Collaboration tools for teams.
Cons
- Less expressive voices than ElevenLabs.
- Expensive for high-volume video.
- Avatars can look generic.
ElevenLabs
Pros
- Best-in-class realistic voices.
- Emotional nuance and cloning.
- Great for podcasts, audiobooks, dubbing.
- Strong multilingual accuracy.
- API for custom integrations.
Cons
- No video avatars or visuals.
- Requires external tools for video.
- Premium cloning gets costly at scale.
Use Case Scenarios
- Marketing videos & explainers → Choose Synthesia.
- Podcasts, narration, audiobooks → Choose ElevenLabs.
- Corporate training & onboarding videos → Synthesia.
- Custom brand voices or AI agents → ElevenLabs.
- Solo creators who need speed → Synthesia for video, ElevenLabs for voice.
Recap
To recap, Synthesia excels in fast, scalable video production with avatars and multilingual support, while ElevenLabs leads in lifelike, emotionally rich voice generation. Pick based on your project needs or combine both for a powerful hybrid workflow. Start by matching your content goals with the right tool and experiment with integrations for maximum impact.
Recommendation
- Pick Synthesia if you need video + avatars, localization, and simplicity.
- Pick ElevenLabs if you need lifelike voices, emotional nuance, and custom cloning.
- Many teams benefit from combining both: use ElevenLabs for premium audio and feed it into Synthesia for avatars and visuals.
Conclusion
Both Synthesia and ElevenLabs are leaders in AI content creation, but they solve different problems. Synthesia shines in video production, while ElevenLabs dominates in voice quality. Your choice should depend on whether your projects are video-first or audio-first. Together, they can create professional, scalable, and engaging content.
Final Verdict
Use Synthesia for fast, scalable, multilingual video content with avatars.
Use ElevenLabs for natural, expressive voiceovers, cloning, and audio-centric projects.
Both tools complement each other, ideal for hybrid workflows.
FAQ
Which tool is better for creating videos, Synthesia or ElevenLabs?
Synthesia is better for videos; it has avatars, subtitles, and video editing built in. ElevenLabs is voice-only, so it requires pairing with video tools.
Can I clone my voice in Synthesia?
Synthesia has limited voice options and basic customization. For advanced cloning, ElevenLabs is the better choice.
Which tool supports more languages?
Synthesia covers more languages for dubbing and subtitles. ElevenLabs supports many languages but focuses more on voice accuracy and nuance.
Is ElevenLabs free?
Yes, ElevenLabs has a free tier, but advanced cloning and higher usage require a paid plan.
Can I use Synthesia and ElevenLabs together?
Yes, a common workflow is generating voiceovers in ElevenLabs and importing them into Synthesia for full video production.