Starts atFree plan · paid from $6/mo
- Free plan
Head-to-head
HeyGen vs ElevenLabs: do you need a voice or a face?
At a glance
Starts atFree plan · paid from $24/mo billed yearly
- Free plan3 videos/month up to 1 min, 1080p
- Watermark on free exports
- Commercial use on paid plans
ElevenLabs makes audio: voiceovers, voice clones and dubbing. HeyGen makes video: an AI avatar speaking your script, plus lip-synced translation. If you only need narration over footage, ElevenLabs is cheaper. If you need a face on screen without filming, HeyGen.
Quick verdict
- Choose ElevenLabs for narration over B-roll, from $6/month with a commercial license.
- Choose HeyGen for avatar videos and lip-synced translations, from $29/month ($24 yearly).
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | ElevenLabs | HeyGen |
|---|---|---|
| Output | Audio | Video with avatar |
| Free plan | 10,000 credits/month (~10 min speech), commercial license not listed | 3 videos/month, 1 min max, up to 1080p |
| Entry plan | Starter: $6/month, 30,000 credits | Creator: $29/month, $24 yearly, 600 credits |
| Mid plan | Creator: $22/month, 121,000 credits | Pro: $49/month, up to 4K |
| Watermark | Not applicable (audio) | Free: yes per our data. Creator: no watermark |
| Translation | Dubbing | Video translation with lip sync |
| Best for | Faceless narration | Talking-head video without filming |
For Shorts, TikTok and Reels
HeyGen Free's 3 one-minute videos fit Shorts length, so you can test an avatar channel for free. ElevenLabs Free covers about 10 one-minute voiceovers a month. Many faceless creators pair ElevenLabs narration with stock footage, which costs less per video than avatar credits.
How to choose
- Footage already, just need a voice? ElevenLabs.
- Need someone on screen? HeyGen.
- Translating your own videos with lip sync? HeyGen.
- Want your cloned voice in many videos? ElevenLabs.
Questions
Is HeyGen better than ElevenLabs?
They do different jobs. HeyGen makes avatar videos. ElevenLabs makes voices.
Does HeyGen use ElevenLabs?
Neither pricing page we checked says so.
Is HeyGen free?
Yes: 3 videos a month, up to 1 minute each, up to 1080p.
Related: HeyGen vs Synthesia, HeyGen vs Higgsfield, HeyGen alternatives, ElevenLabs alternatives.
Sources: elevenlabs.io/pricing, heygen.com/pricing (ShortStack data verified 11 Oct 2026). Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.