Beginner’s Guide to Making AI Videos with Synthesia

As of August 2025, Synthesia remains one of the most popular AI video generators thanks to its 230+ avatars, support for 140+ languages, and ease of use. If you’ve seen those polished AI videos online and wondered how they’re made, this guide breaks down the process.

Below, you’ll find a quick summary table, followed by a step-by-step walkthrough, plus my evaluation after testing Synthesia for content creation and training videos.

Quick Overview: Making Videos in Synthesia

Step 1: Write Your Video Script

Every effective AI video starts with a strong script. Define:

• Your audience and purpose (training, marketing, product demo)
  
• Key message per scene
  
• Visuals or data you want to highlight
  

Tip: Keep sentences concise. AI avatars deliver short lines more naturally.

Step 2: Choose a Template or Start Fresh

Once logged into Synthesia, you can:

• Start from scratch on a blank canvas
  
• Use one of 55+ pre-designed templates
  
• Import a PowerPoint deck to turn slides into video scenes
  

Templates are especially helpful if you want a consistent on-brand look.

Step 3: Select an AI Avatar

Synthesia lets you pick from over 230 avatars, each available in multiple framings (waist-up, chest-up). You can:

• Stick to one avatar throughout
  
• Mix framings across scenes for visual variety
  
• Create a custom avatar of yourself for brand consistency

Step 4: Add Your Script and Voiceover

Paste your script into the text box scene by scene. Synthesia automatically detects the language and assigns a matching voice, but you can manually choose from dozens of voices.

Voices can be customized for speed and tone, making them sound closer to natural delivery.

Step 5: Edit Visuals and Enhance Engagement

Here’s where your video comes alive. You can add:

• Text overlays (titles, subtitles, body copy)
  
• Shapes and icons for emphasis
  
• Images and stock video clips or upload your own assets
  
• Animations and transitions between scenes
  
• Background music from Synthesia’s library or your own files
  
  

Pro tip: Use the “Change all” color function to apply consistent branding across every slide.

Step 6: Generate and Publish

Preview your video first. Once satisfied, hit “Generate.” Within a few minutes, your video is ready. You can:

• Download it in MP4
  
• Duplicate and edit later
  
• Share via link with built-in captions
  

My Take After Testing Synthesia

If you need to create training videos, explainers, or simple marketing content at scale, Synthesia is extremely efficient. In under an hour, I was able to produce a polished 2-minute video with branded colors and a professional voiceover.

Pros:

• Easy drag-and-drop editor
  
• Large selection of avatars and voices
  
• Multi-language support (140+)
  
• Consistent branding with custom templates
  
  

Cons:

• Limited avatar movement (mostly talking head)
  
• Advanced customization (e.g., cinematic scenes) is not possible
  
• Rendering takes a few minutes per video
  
  

Pricing (August 2025):

• Starter plan: $22/month
  
• Corporate plans available with custom avatars and branding features
  

How I Tested Synthesia

I created three videos: a 90-second training guide, a 2-minute product demo, and a 60-second social media promo. My evaluation criteria included:

• Script-to-voice accuracy
  
• Avatar realism
  
• Ease of editing visuals
  
• Output rendering speed
  
• Branding options
  

Market Trends

AI video tools are rapidly evolving. Competitors like HeyGen and Pictory are focusing on more dynamic video styles, while Synthesia’s strength remains in professional, avatar-driven content. Expect more lifelike avatars and real-time video generation in the next 12 months.

Final Takeaway

If your priority is scaling professional-looking videos quickly, Synthesia is hard to beat. For cinematic effects or high-motion scenes, you may need another platform.

For training, corporate communication, and explainer content, Synthesia remains one of the most reliable AI video generators.

FAQ

1. Can I use my own face as an avatar in Synthesia?
Yes. You can create a custom avatar through their studio service or a quick web-based version.

2. How long does it take to make a video?
On average, a 2-minute video takes about 15–20 minutes to create and 5-10 minutes to render.

3. Is Synthesia free?
There is a free demo, but most features are available only on paid plans starting at $22/month.

4. What types of videos are best for Synthesia?
Training, explainer, onboarding, and corporate communications work best.