HeyGen · Web app and API (AI avatar video)

HeyGen

Create talking-avatar videos, digital twins and translated videos from a script.

Provider: HeyGen
Latest confirmed model: Avatar V
Pricing: Free plan + paid
Free plan: Yes
API: Yes
Status: Generally available
Last verified: Oct 19, 2026

Visit official website Pricing page API docs

What is HeyGen?

HeyGen generates videos of realistic presenters speaking your script, using stock avatars or a digital twin of yourself. It also translates videos with lip-sync into 175+ languages and dialects. Its newest avatar model, Avatar V, launched in April 2026 and builds a digital twin from about 15 seconds of video.

Filming presenters, re-shooting for edits and localising video is costly; HeyGen produces presenter videos from text.

Why use HeyGen?

Practical benefits

Realistic avatars without a camera crew
Easy script edits without re-filming
Lip-synced translation
API without subscription since March 2026

Who it suits

Marketers and sales teams
Trainers and educators
Creators localising content

When another tool may fit better

Cinematic scene generation (see Runway or Flow)
Long videos on the free plan
Users uncomfortable with digital likeness

Learning curve: Beginner-friendly
Skills needed: None; script writing helps.

Example workflows

Write script -> choose avatar and voice -> generate -> share
Upload video -> translate with lip-sync -> download

What can it do?

Avatar VDigital twin from about 15 seconds of video; stable for 30+ minutes; video-based looks only.
Avatar IV Depends on planPhoto-based avatars; 1-minute videos on free, 30 minutes on paid.
Video translation Depends on planLip-sync translation; trial access on free.
Video Agent Depends on planPrompt-to-video assistant; limited trial on free.
APIPay-as-you-go from $5 top-up, no subscription needed.

Good for

Sales outreach videos
Training and onboarding
Product explainers
Localised marketing

Where it runs

WebiOSAndroidAPI

Pricing and plans

Free plan + paid Free plan offers 3 videos a month up to 1 minute. Creator is $29/month ($24 annual), Pro starts at $49/month with 1,000 credits, and Business is $149/month plus $20 per extra seat. The API is separate, pay-as-you-go from a $5 top-up.

Plan	Price	Billing	Free trial / tier	Usage limits	Main inclusions	Model access	API access	Restrictions
Free	Free	per month	No card required	3 videos/month up to 1 minute each; up to 1080p	500+ stock avatars 1 custom video avatar Up to 3 photo avatars 1 voice clone 30+ languages	Avatar IV (1-minute max)	Separate pay-as-you-go API	Standard processing; limited trial of premium features
Creator	$29/mo $24/mo billed annually	per month	—	600 credits/month; videos up to 30 minutes	700+ stock avatars Unlimited photo avatars Voice cloning 175+ languages Watermark removal	Extended Avatar IV, Avatar V	Separate	Export resolution listed as 1080p on plan card
Pro	$49/mo From $49 for 1,000 credits; scales up to 100,000 credits at $4,300/mo	per month	—	1,000+ credits/month; videos up to 30 minutes; 4K	All advanced AI models Customisable monthly usage	All	Separate	—
Business	$149/mo Plus $20/seat/month	per month	—	1,500 credits/month; videos up to 60 minutes; 4K	5+ custom video avatars Team collaboration Credit packs and auto-reload	All	Separate	—
Enterprise	Contact provider	per year	—	No maximum video length	10+ custom avatars Unlimited voice cloning	All	Custom	—

Prices in USD · Global list price · Taxes may apply · Verified Oct 19, 2026

Official pricing page (opens in a new tab)

API and developer access

Official API: Yes
Documentation: API docs (opens in a new tab)
Authentication: API key
Pricing model: Prepaid USD wallet, per-second / per-unit pricing
Free API quota: None documented — the free plan above (if any) is for the app, not the API
Rate limits: Not documented
Context / input limits: Not documented
SDKs: Not documented
Streaming: Not documented
Batch processing: Not documented
Structured output: Not documented
Tool / function calling: Not documented
Commercial use: See the provider terms
Data retention & privacy: See the provider privacy terms

Published API rates

Item	Price	Unit
Avatar IV video 1080p (help-centre estimate)	$4	per minute
Avatar IV video 4K (help-centre estimate)	$5	per minute

A free HeyGen account is not the same thing as free API access. Unless a free API quota is listed above, API calls are billed separately.

Verified Oct 19, 2026

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

Strong avatar realism
Many languages
Flexible pay-as-you-go API

Disadvantages

Credits-to-minutes conversion is not published
Free plan limited to 3 one-minute videos per month
Conflicting resolution info for Creator plan
Requires consent for likeness and voice

Privacy: Custom avatars and voice clones require consent from the person depicted.

Real-world examples

A founder trying an avatar video

Sign up free (no card)
Pick a stock avatar and paste a short script
Generate a video up to 1 minute
Share it

free plan works

A trainer creating a course module

Subscribe to Creator
Record 15 seconds to create an Avatar V digital twin
Generate lessons up to 30 minutes
Export without watermark

needs paid plan

A developer generating personalised videos

Create a HeyGen API key
Top up from $5
Send a script and avatar ID to the API
Retrieve the rendered video

needs API key

HeyGen alternatives

Synthesia

Business-focused AI video platform for training, communication and dubbing with AI avatars.

has a free plan · offers an API

HeyGen vs Synthesia

Descript

Edit video and audio by editing the transcript, with an AI co-editor called Underlord.

has a free plan · offers an API

HeyGen vs Descript

ElevenLabs

Text-to-speech, voice cloning, transcription, music and voice agents from one platform and API.

has a free plan · offers an API

HeyGen vs ElevenLabs

Runway

AI video studio offering Runway's Gen-4.5 plus partner models, with a pay-per-credit developer API.

has a free plan · offers an API

HeyGen vs Runway

Compare HeyGen with these side by side

Frequently asked questions

Is HeyGen free?

Yes. The free plan allows 3 videos per month up to 1 minute each and needs no credit card.

How much is HeyGen Creator?

$29 per month, or $24 per month billed annually, with 600 credits and videos up to 30 minutes.

What is Avatar V?

HeyGen's newest avatar model, launched in April 2026, which builds a digital twin from about 15 seconds of video.

Do I need a subscription to use the API?

No. Since March 2026 HeyGen's API works with prepaid top-ups starting at $5.

How many minutes do credits buy?

HeyGen does not publish a fixed conversion; usage depends on the model, duration and complexity.

Do unused credits roll over?

Monthly subscribers' unused credits roll over for one month; annual subscribers' credits accumulate until renewal.