TL;DR: For new videos, build once in Synthesia and switch the script language (140+ languages). For existing footage, use AI dubbing (Synthesia offers dubbing into 70+ languages on Basic, Starter and Pro). Always have a native speaker review the final script.
Recording the same video for every market is expensive: voice talent, studio time and editing for each language. AI changes the cost structure — the expensive part becomes translation review, not production.
Two Ways to Localize a Video
Option A: Rebuild with a multilingual AI presenter
Best for training, onboarding and explainers you control end to end. Build the video once in Synthesia, then duplicate it and replace the script with a translated version. The avatar presents it in the new language with matching lip movement. Synthesia supports 140+ languages and voices. On Enterprise, 1-click translation automates the duplicate-and-translate step; on other plans you paste translated scripts yourself.
Option B: Dub existing footage
Best when you already have filmed video, such as webinars, founder videos or YouTube content. AI dubbing translates the speech and generates a voice in the target language. Synthesia lists dubbing into 70+ languages on its Basic, Starter and Pro plans; ElevenLabs is the common alternative for voice-focused dubbing.
A Localization Workflow That Holds Up
- Finalize the source script first. Every change after translation multiplies across languages.
- Translate with AI, review with a human. Machine translation gets you 90% there; a native speaker should check product terms, tone and anything legal.
- Check on-screen text. Titles, captions and screenshots need translating too, not only the voice.
- Render one language, review, then batch the rest. Catch layout issues (longer German text, right-to-left Arabic) before producing ten versions.
- Name files clearly (e.g.
onboarding-01_es.mp4) so the right version reaches the right team.
Budget tip: every language version uses video minutes. A 5-minute module in 6 languages is about 30 minutes of generation, which is why multilingual teams usually outgrow Starter (~12 min/mo) and land on Pro (~60 min/mo).
Which Synthesia Plan Fits?
Synthesia's published plans as of October 2026 (check our pricing page or Synthesia's site for the latest numbers):
| Plan | Price | Video | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Free | ~10 min/mo | 9 avatars, watermarked, no downloads — for testing only |
| Starter | $29/mo, or $18/mo billed yearly | ~12 min/mo (~150 min/yr on yearly) | 125+ avatars, downloads, no Synthesia logo, 3 personal avatars |
| Pro | $89/mo, or $64/mo billed yearly | ~60 min/mo (~720 min/yr on yearly) | 180+ avatars, 5 personal avatars, interactive videos, branded pages |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited | SCORM export, Brand Kits, 1-click translation, SSO, live collaboration |
Synthesia Free / from $18/mo
AI presenters in 140+ languages and dubbing in 70+, with templates built for training and business explainers.
Best for: training and explainer videos for multilingual teams
ElevenLabs Free / paid plans
Strong AI dubbing and voice generation for existing footage, podcasts and narration.
Best for: dubbing filmed videos and voiceovers
HeyGen Free / paid plans
Also offers video translation with lip sync; worth comparing if your videos are creator-style rather than corporate.
Best for: creator and marketing videos
Where AI Translation Still Falls Short
- Humor, idioms and wordplay rarely survive translation; rewrite them per market.
- Less common languages can have less natural voices than English, Spanish or French. Preview before committing.
- Regulated content (medical, financial, safety) needs a qualified human reviewer in each language.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many languages does Synthesia support?
Synthesia lists 140+ languages and voices for AI presenters, and dubbing into 70+ languages on its Basic, Starter and Pro plans.
Is AI dubbing good enough for customers?
For training, support and explainer content it is widely used. For high-stakes brand campaigns, have native speakers review the script and the final audio.
Do I need the Enterprise plan to translate videos?
No. You can create videos in other languages on any plan by pasting a translated script. Enterprise adds 1-click translation that automates the process across many videos.