Open benchmark
AI explainer-video tools compared.
Start with the overall Explainer Index, then inspect generation time per finished minute, visual explanation, and cost per finished minute. By The Video Layer team · Updated .
The benchmark
Benchmark results
Overall ranking first, followed by generation time, visual explanation, and cost.
Score: 45% visual explanation, 30% speed, and 25% cost. Speed is scaled from one to twelve minutes. Cost is scaled from $0 to $15 per finished minute.
InVideo is excluded because its output and usage record were not preserved. HeyGen is ranked using published Creator monthly-plan amortization. Open a tool name for the evidence record.
Time = generation time ÷ output length × 60. These elapsed times were recorded by the project owner; exact start and completion timestamps were not preserved. InVideo and Synthesia are scene-by-scene workflows, not one-shot results.
HeyGen's current Creator monthly plan advertises Faster processing. The tested plan was not recorded, so Faster is shown as published plan context—not as a verified test setting or measured speed.
Higher scores mean the visuals teach the idea instead of decorating the narration. Reviews are provisional. InVideo is not scored because its tested output was not retained.
Pricing captured on August 1, 2026.
- Synthesia publishes two conflicting Starter annual totals. The ranking uses the more conservative FAQ calculation of $2.20 per included minute; the checkout-linked card implies $1.40.
- HeyGen is ranked at $0.97 per prompted minute using full-allocation Creator monthly-plan amortization: $29 ÷ 600 credits × 20 credits. Its separate API rate is $2.00; neither figure is the observed charge for this test.
Sources: Lamina Labs (Simi) · Synthesia · HeyGen plans · HeyGen API · xAI · InVideo.
Target: 1 minute
Visual scores are provisional. Scene-by-scene tools are labeled. Open each tool name for its output, transcript, pricing capture, and missing-evidence record.