AI video and voice tools compared: Runway, HeyGen, Synthesia, Descript, ElevenLabs and Firefly
“AI video tool” covers very different jobs: generating clips from a prompt, presenter videos with an avatar, editing a recording by editing its transcript, and voiceovers.
This guide groups the main tools by what they actually do and shows their current plans, so you only pay for the job you need.
Which tool does what
Runway
AI creative platform for generating and editing video, images and audio.
- Generating short video clips
- B roll and visual effects
HeyGen
AI video generator for talking-avatar videos, with translation and localization.
- Avatar presenter videos
- Translating videos into other languages
Synthesia
AI video platform for creating avatar-presented videos from a script, with translation and dubbing.
- Training and explainer videos
- Multilingual marketing videos
Descript
Text-based audio and video editor with AI transcription, cleanup and clip tools.
- Podcast editing
- Turning long videos into clips
- Transcription
ElevenLabs
AI audio platform for text-to-speech, voice cloning, sound effects and music.
- Voiceovers for videos
- Narrating articles and courses
- Dubbing content
Adobe Firefly
Adobe's AI app for generating and editing images, video and audio, including partner models.
- Commercial image generation
- Editing photos
- Short AI video clips
Starting prices and free plans
| Tool | Free plan | Paid plans from | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runway | Yes | $15/month | Some learning curve |
| HeyGen | Yes | $29/month | Beginner-friendly |
| Synthesia | Yes | $19/month | Beginner-friendly |
| Descript | Yes | $24/month | Some learning curve |
| ElevenLabs | Yes | $6/month | Beginner-friendly |
| Adobe Firefly | Yes | $9.99/month | Beginner-friendly |
Every plan
| Tool | Plan | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runway | Free | Free | 125 one-time credits |
| Standard | $15/month | 625 credits/month ($12/mo annually) | |
| Pro | $35/month | 2,250 credits/month ($28/mo annually) | |
| Max | $95/month | 9,500 credits/month ($76/mo annually) | |
| HeyGen | Free | Free | 3 watermarked videos/month |
| Creator | $29/month | 1080p export ($24/mo annually) | |
| Pro | $49/month | 4K export, 1,000 credits/month | |
| Business | $149/month | Plus $20/seat/month | |
| Synthesia | Basic | Free | 500 credits/month (~10 min video) |
| Starter | $19/month | 1,250 credits/month | |
| Pro | $89/month | 6,000 credits/month, 5 personal avatars | |
| Descript | Free | Free | 60 media minutes/month |
| Hobbyist | $24/month | 10 media hours/month | |
| Creator | $35/month | 30 media hours/month | |
| Business | $65/month | 40 media hours/month | |
| ElevenLabs | Free | Free | 10k credits/month |
| Starter | $6/month | 30k credits/month, commercial license | |
| Creator | $22/month | 121k credits/month, professional voice cloning | |
| Pro | $99/month | 600k credits/month | |
| Scale | $299/month | — | |
| Business | $990/month | — | |
| Adobe Firefly | Free | Free | Limited daily generations |
| Standard | $9.99/month | 2,000 generative credits/month | |
| Pro | $19.99/month | 4,000 credits/month | |
| Pro Plus | $49.99/month | 10,000 credits/month | |
| Premium | $199.99/month | 50,000 credits/month |
Prices from each vendor’s official pricing page. Yearly plans are shown as the monthly equivalent. Confirm on the official site before you buy.
Things to know before you pay
- Runway: Free plan: 125 one-time credits
- HeyGen: Free plan: 3 watermarked videos/month up to 1 minute
- Synthesia: Free plan: about 10 minutes of video per month
- Descript: Free plan: 60 media minutes/month
- ElevenLabs: Free plan: 10k credits/month
- ElevenLabs: Commercial license starts on Starter
- Adobe Firefly: Generation is credit-based; free plan has limited daily generations
How to choose
- Pick by job first: prompt-to-video, avatar presenter, transcript-based editing, or voice.
- Most video tools charge in credits or minutes. Estimate how many minutes of finished video you need each month.
- Check whether the free plan adds a watermark or limits commercial use before you publish.
- A voice tool plus an editor you already use can be cheaper than an all-in-one video plan.
Tools in this guide
- RunwayVideo Generation AI creative platform for generating and editing video, images and audio. Free plan · from $15/month
- HeyGenVideo Generation AI video generator for talking-avatar videos, with translation and localization. Free plan · from $29/month
- SynthesiaVideo Generation AI video platform for creating avatar-presented videos from a script, with translation and dubbing. Free plan · from $19/month
- DescriptVideo Generation Text-based audio and video editor with AI transcription, cleanup and clip tools. Free plan · from $24/month
- ElevenLabsAudio AI audio platform for text-to-speech, voice cloning, sound effects and music. Free plan · from $6/month
- Adobe FireflyImage Generation Adobe's AI app for generating and editing images, video and audio, including partner models. Free plan · from $9.99/month