Index / Compare / Arcads vs Synthesia
Arcads vs Synthesia
Both make AI-presenter videos, but one is built for UGC ads and the other for corporate video. One rule in Synthesia's policy matters a lot for advertisers.
Running paid social ads? Arcads. Making training or explainer videos on a budget? Synthesia.
Synthesia is cheaper on paper: a free Basic plan (10 min/mo, watermarked) and Starter at $19/mo ($14 billed yearly). But its Acceptable Use Policy says stock avatars may not be used in paid social ads without Synthesia's written consent. Arcads is built for UGC ads and advertises 1,000+ AI actors, but publishes no prices (reported ~$110/mo for 10 videos). We haven't tested either hands-on.
Side by side
| Arcads | Synthesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI actor UGC | Avatar / spokesperson |
| Pricing | No public price list; reported ~$110/mo for 10 videos (Starter), ~$220/mo for 20 | Free Basic plan; Starter $19/mo monthly ($14/mo billed yearly, first month $9); Pro $89/mo monthly ($59/mo billed yearly, first month $49) (synthesia.io/pricing, verified 2026-10-26) |
| Est. cost per video | ~$11 (reported, Starter) | Unknown |
| Free plan / trial | None (reported); AdsTurbo says homepage mentions a trial | Free Basic plan: 10 min of video/mo, watermarked |
| Refund / billing notes | Credits reportedly don't roll over; edits require full regeneration | Credits and monthly allowance reset each billing period; stock avatars may not be used in paid social ads without Synthesia's written consent (Acceptable Use Policy) |
| Meta/TikTok export | Unknown | Unknown |
| Website | Visit Arcads | Visit Synthesia |
Prices checked against vendor pages as of Oct 2026; "reported" means a third-party review, not the vendor. Sources are listed on our Arcads and Synthesia pages. We haven't tested either tool hands-on.
Pick Arcads if
- You run paid ads on Meta or TikTok with AI actors
- You want UGC-style creators, not corporate presenters
- ~$110/mo (reported) fits your budget
Pick Synthesia if
- You make training, explainer or internal videos
- You want a free plan and a $19/mo starting price
- You won't use stock avatars in paid social ads (or you'll get Synthesia's consent)
FAQ
Can I use Synthesia avatars in paid ads?
Synthesia's Acceptable Use Policy says stock avatars may not be used in paid social ads without Synthesia's written consent. Check the policy before running ads.
Is Arcads or Synthesia cheaper?
Synthesia publishes Starter at $19/mo monthly ($14/mo billed yearly, first month $9) and has a free Basic plan. Arcads has no public price list; reviews report about $110/mo for 10 videos.
Does either have a free option?
Synthesia's free Basic plan gives 10 minutes of video a month, watermarked. For Arcads, sources conflict on whether there's a trial.
Do credits roll over?
Synthesia credits and monthly allowance reset each billing period. Arcads credits reportedly don't roll over.
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