When my team lead handed me 10 onboarding scripts and said, “Let’s have these in video format by Friday,” I froze. I’m not a video editor. I can barely sync text to a voiceover, let alone design a branded video.

Then, someone suggested Synthesia.

I had heard of it, an AI tool that creates videos using avatars and scripts. But does it work? I decided to find out the hard way by using it like a full-time employee under a deadline.

Logging In and Getting Intimidated

Signing up was simple; no credit card was required, just a quick email verification. The dashboard looked minimal and clean. I clicked on “Create New Video” and was immediately met with a mix of avatars, templates, languages, and editing options.

Once I typed my script into the editor and selected an avatar (who even blinks), it all started making sense. Synthesia doesn’t require technical knowledge, just your message and a few clicks.

Avatars: Impressive, But Sometimes Unnatural

There are over 230 avatars, which is impressive until you realize it takes time to find one that feels authentic. Some avatars are uncannily realistic; others feel slightly off.

Personal avatars helped to personalize the message. Selfie avatars, which are still in beta, were surprisingly usable, though proper lighting made a big difference. My suggestion: don’t try to replicate a real actor. Let the avatar do its job of delivering information, not emotion.

Localization That Saves Time

This was one of Synthesia’s most impressive features. I had to create the same training video in three languages: Hindi, Spanish, and French. Normally, that would involve three voice artists, lots of emails, and inevitable delays.

Synthesia’s one-click translation and AI dubbing turned this task into a two-minute process. The voice-to-language sync wasn’t perfect, but it was more than acceptable for internal use.

Tools That Helped

Here’s what I used the most:

  • AI Video Editor: Add animations, logos, and transitions
  • Brand Kits: Upload company fonts, colors, and logos for consistency
  • Workspaces & Comments: Collaborate with teammates directly
  • Voice Cloning: Available in higher plans, useful for brand-aligned voiceovers
  • Analytics: Understand who watched what and where viewers dropped off

These tools didn’t just save time, they made video creation feel like working inside Google Docs but with visual storytelling.

What Needs Improvement

Let’s be real: Synthesia has limitations.

  • Avatar movement can feel robotic, especially with long sentences.
  • There’s no way to change facial expressions or gestures.
  • It’s not meant for emotional, cinematic storytelling.

If you expect the avatar to deliver a heartfelt TED Talk, you’ll be disappointed. But if your goal is to explain policies, introduce products, or train new hires, it’s the right tool.

Use Cases That Delivered Results

Here’s where Synthesia proved its value:

  • Employee Training: Multilingual onboarding content
  • Cybersecurity Compliance: Animated reminders and tutorials
  • Knowledge Sharing: Turning documentation into visual explainers
  • Product Demos: Step-by-step guides for clients

Pricing: Understand What You’re Paying For

Synthesia’s new pricing starts at ₹1,499/month (billed yearly) with the Starter Plan, enough for small projects with 10 minutes of video, 125+ avatars, and basic editing tools.

I used the Creator Plan at ₹4,649/month, which gave me 30 minutes, more avatars, AI dubbing, branded video pages, and API access. It felt like the real productivity tier, especially with priority support when I got stuck.

For bigger teams, there’s a custom-priced Enterprise Plan with unlimited video minutes, brand kits, live collaboration, and a dedicated success manager. If you're planning to scale video across departments, this one's a no-brainer.

My Verdict After 10 Projects

Is Synthesia perfect? No.
Is it useful? Absolutely.

For trainers, HR teams, marketers, and business communicators, it saves hours of work. It delivers polished results without the hassle of filming, editing, or managing freelancers.

It’s not designed for content creators chasing viral YouTube hits. But for internal communications and business training, it’s one of the most efficient tools I’ve used.

Tips to Get the Best Out of Synthesia

  1. Write in short, clear sentences — avatars sound smoother.
  2. Keep videos under three minutes for higher engagement.
  3. Upload your brand kit before you start.
  4. Use closed captions — they improve accessibility and clarity.
  5. Don’t change avatars across videos — keep your brand consistent.

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