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Video Production · head to head

Synthesia vs VLC

Synthesia logo

Synthesia

Video Production

AI video creation with digital presenters

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
VLC logo

VLC

Entertainment

The free and open source media player

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Synthesia free plan limited to 10 minutes of video per month; VLC vLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract
  • They diverge on capability: Synthesia covers AI avatars, VLC covers Media playback.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Synthesia and VLC actually diverge.

Attributes where Synthesia and VLC differ
AttributeSynthesiaVLC
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWebWindows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
CategoryVideo ProductionEntertainment
Founded20171998

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Synthesia

  • AI avatars
  • 140+ languages
  • Video templates
  • Brand customization
  • API access
  • LMS integrations
  • PowerPoint
  • Api support

Only in VLC

  • Media playback
  • Codec support
  • Streaming
  • Conversion
  • Plugins
  • Network streaming
  • DVD playback
  • Open source

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Synthesia

  • Training video creation with AI avatarsnot VLC
  • Multilingual video localisation with AI dubbingnot VLC
  • Enterprise video production and managementnot VLC

VLC

  • Media playbacknot Synthesia
  • Video conversionnot Synthesia

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Synthesia

  • Free plan limited to 10 minutes of video per month
  • Starter plan limited to 10 minutes of video per month
  • Creator plan capped at 30 minutes of video per month
  • SSO/SAML authentication restricted to Enterprise tier

VLC

  • VLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract

Pricing, plan by plan

Synthesia

Free
  • BasicFree
    • 1,200 credits per month
    • Up to 10 minutes of video per month
    • 9 AI avatars
  • Starter$29/month
    • 14,500 credits per year
    • Up to 120 minutes of video per year
    • 125+ AI avatars
  • Creator$89/month
    • 44,000 credits per year
    • Up to 360 minutes of video per year
    • 180+ AI avatars

VLC

Free
  • FreeFree
    • All codecs
    • No ads
    • Open source

Which should you pick?

Choose Synthesia if

  • You need ai avatars.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want 140+ languages.
Synthesia review

Choose VLC if

  • You need media playback.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want codec support.
VLC review

Questions people ask

Is Synthesia or VLC better?
Neither clearly leads. Synthesia starts at Free and VLC at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Synthesia or VLC?
Synthesia starts at Free and VLC at Free.
Does Synthesia or VLC run on more platforms?
Synthesia runs on Web. VLC runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use Synthesia for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Synthesia best used for?
Synthesia is most often used for training video creation with ai avatars, multilingual video localisation with ai dubbing, enterprise video production and management. Of those, training video creation with ai avatars and multilingual video localisation with ai dubbing are not what VLC is typically brought in for.
What can Synthesia do that VLC cannot?
Synthesia covers AI avatars, 140+ languages, Video templates, Brand customization. VLC covers Media playback, Codec support, Streaming, Conversion. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Synthesia: How much does Synthesia cost?

Synthesia offers a free Basic plan with 10 minutes of video per month, Starter at $29 per month with 120 minutes per year, and Creator at $89 per month with 360 minutes per year. Annual billing provides 38% savings. Enterprise plans are available with custom pricing.

Source
VLC: Is VLC media player free to use?

Yes. VLC is completely free and open source software with no subscription or licensing fees.

Source
Synthesia: What is included in Synthesia's free plan?

The free Basic plan includes 1,200 credits per month (approximately 10 minutes of video), 9 AI avatars, 3 personal avatars, and access to 160+ languages and voices. No credit card is required.

Source
VLC: Can VLC be used commercially?

Yes. VLC explicitly states there is no spyware, no ads, and no user tracking. As open-source software under permissive licenses, commercial use is permitted within each license's specific terms.

Source
VLC: Does VLC include all features across all platforms without additional purchase?

Yes. All playback features, codecs, cross-platform compatibility, and customization options are included with no additional purchases required for full functionality on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Source
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