The main HeyGen alternatives are Synthesia, D-ID and Colossyan for avatar presenters, ElevenLabs and Rask AI for voice cloning and dubbing, and Pictory, InVideo and Descript for explainer videos. Whichever you choose, only clone your own face and voice, or someone who has given you clear written consent. Pick by the type of video you make, not by who has the longest feature list.
Before comparing tools, one question matters more than any feature. Whose face and voice are you putting on screen?
An AI avatar or voice clone is a copy of a real person. If it's you, you're in control. If it's a team member, a client or a speaker, you need their clear, written permission, and you need to be honest with viewers about how the video was made. That applies to every tool in this list, HeyGen included.
Start with consent and likeness
I'd settle these points before you open any tool:
- Use your own face and voice wherever you can. It's the safest option and the most believable.
- If anyone else appears, get their permission in writing, and say what the video will be used for and where it will run.
- Never clone a voice or face from a public clip because it's easy to do. Being able to doesn't mean you're allowed to.
- Check each tool's terms for what you can use commercially and what happens to the footage you upload.
- Decide how you'll tell viewers a video uses AI. Many platforms now ask for it, and being upfront builds trust.
This isn't legal advice. If you're using a likeness for adverts or for a client, check with a professional and with the platform's current rules.
Why people look for HeyGen alternatives
In my experience working with small businesses, the reasons are usually practical. Some want a different look for the avatars. Some need better support for a particular language. Others want a tool built around editing, or a simpler way to turn a script into a short video. Sorting by output type, as below, helps you skip the tools that don't fit.
Avatar presenter tools
These turn a script into a video of a presenter speaking to camera. They suit training, product walkthroughs and updates where you don't want to film yourself every time.
Synthesia
Synthesia is well known for business and training videos, with a library of stock avatars and support for many languages. It suits companies that make polished explainers and internal training. The limit is that stock avatars can look generic, so check whether a custom avatar of yourself is offered on the plan you want.
D-ID
D-ID is known for animating a still photo into a talking video. It suits quick, simple talking-head clips from one image. The limit is that a single photo gives you less natural movement than a full avatar built from a video recording.
Colossyan
Colossyan is aimed at workplace learning, with avatars, scenes and scripts built for training content. It suits teams making courses and onboarding videos. The limit is that it's geared towards training, so it may feel narrow for social content.
Voice clone and dubbing tools
If your face is fine but you want your voice in other languages, or you want narration without recording it, these are the tools to look at.
ElevenLabs
ElevenLabs is known for realistic voices, voice cloning and dubbing. It suits creators who want narration or translated audio in a voice that sounds like their own. The limit is that voice cloning needs your own consent and clean recordings, and results vary by language, so always listen to the full track.
Rask AI
Rask AI focuses on translating and dubbing video into other languages, often with lip sync. It suits businesses taking an existing video to new markets. The limit is that dubbing can miss tone and humour, so ask a native speaker to check the result.
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Explainer and editing tools
Not every video needs a presenter. For many small businesses, an explainer with footage, captions and voiceover does the job and feels less odd.
Pictory
Pictory turns scripts or blog posts into short videos using stock footage, captions and voiceover. It suits owners who want to repurpose written content. The limit is that stock footage can look similar from one brand to the next.
InVideo
InVideo offers templates and AI-assisted creation for social and marketing videos. It suits people who want a fast route from an idea to a finished clip. The limit is that template-based videos can look familiar, so add your own branding and footage.
Descript
Descript lets you edit video by editing the transcript, with tools for removing filler words and cleaning up audio. It suits anyone who records themselves and wants faster editing, rather than a fake presenter. The limit is that you still need to record something real.
For a wider view, I've compared the field in AI video generators for social media, and if you're choosing for a brand, read which AI video generator suits business marketing. On a tight budget, see free AI video generators without a watermark.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Output type | Suits | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthesia | Avatar presenter | Business and training videos | Stock avatars can look generic |
| D-ID | Avatar presenter | Talking clips from one photo | Less natural movement |
| Colossyan | Avatar presenter | Workplace learning | Narrow for social content |
| ElevenLabs | Voice clone and dubbing | Narration and translated audio | Needs consent and clean recordings |
| Rask AI | Voice clone and dubbing | Taking a video to new markets | Tone can get lost |
| Pictory | Explainer | Repurposing written content | Similar stock footage |
| InVideo | Explainer | Quick social and marketing clips | Templates look familiar |
| Descript | Editing | Faster editing of real recordings | You still need to record |
Pre-publish checklist
Run through this before any AI video goes live:
- Confirm you have written consent from everyone whose face or voice is used.
- Read the script aloud and fix anything that doesn't sound like you.
- Watch the whole video with sound, checking lip sync, pronunciation and names.
- Check every claim and figure against your source, because AI tools repeat mistakes with confidence.
- Add captions, because many people watch with the sound off.
- Check you have the right to use any music, footage or images that appear.
- Label the video as AI-generated where the platform asks for it, and consider doing so even where it doesn't.
- Save the consent, the script and the final file together in case you need them later.
Make an AI video or voice tool? See how to get it featured on this list.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission to use an AI avatar of another person?
Yes. Get clear written consent from anyone whose face or voice you clone, and explain how the video will be used. For adverts or client work, check with a professional.
What's a good HeyGen alternative for training videos?
Synthesia and Colossyan are two to look at for training and workplace learning. Compare their current plans for custom avatars, languages and users.
Which tools can clone my voice or dub my videos?
ElevenLabs and Rask AI are two to consider. ElevenLabs is known for voices and cloning, and Rask AI for translating and dubbing video into other languages.
Should I tell viewers a video is made with AI?
I'd say yes. Many platforms now ask for it, and being open about it builds trust with your audience.
