Synthesia

What it is

Synthesia describes itself as an AI video and avatar platform for business. You write a script, pick or create an avatar, and it produces a presenter-led video with voiceover. Its site, as read in October 2026, lists AI avatars and voiceovers in 140+ languages, dubbing of existing videos, and interactive avatars for roleplay practice and conversational surveys. It also runs the Synthesia Academy with learning material on making video.

Where it fits for freelancers

Synthesia is built around business use: training courses, onboarding, compliance videos, product updates and internal communication. Many companies already use it, so a freelancer who can write a good script, design scenes, add real visuals and keep a series consistent is useful to them. That is a different service from social ads, with longer projects and steadier clients.

How it compares with HeyGen

Both are major avatar platforms with lip-synced presenters and many languages. Synthesia leans towards enterprise training and teams; HeyGen is popular with marketers and creators too. Choose by the client's existing tools, the languages they need and the terms on the plan they will pay for, and test both with the same script before deciding.

Consent and honesty

As with any avatar tool, a custom avatar of a real person needs that person's consent, and avatars should never pose as real customers giving testimonials. Label avatar content where platforms require it.

How to use it well

• Keep scripts short and spoken: avatars expose long, written-style sentences.
• Break a long topic into short scenes with on-screen text and visuals.
• Build a template per client: intro, colours, fonts, lower thirds and outro, so every video in the series matches.
• Have a native speaker check each translated version.

Who it suits

Freelancers who want to serve training, HR and internal communication teams with consistent, multilingual explainer videos.

Pair it with on Sefism

• Follow the AI video and design for clients roadmap and keep its cheat sheet open while you work.
• For platforms, proposals, pricing and getting paid, use the Freelancing roadmap.

Best for: business training and multilingual explainer videos.