HeyGen Alternatives for AI Videos & Custom Avatars

There is an ever-growing demand for content. Whether text, video, images, or audio, content consumption has never been higher, and with it, the need for content creation.

As anyone paying attention knows, AI is already a crucial tool in the content generation arsenal of B2C brands and social media influencers alike.

It’s hard to keep track of all the players in this emerging technology. At this moment, in the area of AI video, HeyGen gets a lot of buzz. By combining machine learning and natural language processing, HeyGen enables you to produce narrated videos using custom avatars, AI-generated avatars, and avatars from a photo. No need for sophisticated video editing - just enter some text and your avatar delivers your message. 

But other players have come on the scene, and this article will focus on market up-and-comer AKOOL.

What Does HeyGen Do?

First, let’s take a look at what HeyGen offers. 

There are three avatar options: photo, instant, or studio. 

The instant avatar is generated from a quick webcam recording of yourself, which saves your features and gestures, as well as your voice. 

Studio avatars can be selected from HeyGen’s large library, and you can upload a photo to produce a talking video. There is a nice selection of voices (including your own), as well as accents.

You can write out your own video script, upload an audio file for speech-to-text, or use the ChatGPT script option. Translation for many languages is available, and you can have any language delivered in any accent (for example, an English script read in a French accent). 

A Look At AKOOL

AKOOL is a leading alternative to HeyGen, offering very similar features, and very inviting for beginners.

With a simpler and more intuitive UI, AKOOL’s features are almost identical to those of HeyGen, though so far do not include instant avatar.

Avatar and talking photo lip-synching and facial movements are quite natural, comparable to what you get from HeyGen’s. Though at this time, only the avatar face moves, not any part of the body.

One of the most appreciated UI features in AKOOL: everything you generate goes into the Results section, in its appropriate section. This makes it super easy to find everything you’ve done.

Comparative Analysis: AKOOL vs. HeyGen

Here’s a feature-by-feature comparison of HeyGen and AKOOL.

Avatar Library

AKOOL’s comprehensive selection of diverse avatars are ready for use in explainer or marketing videos. All avatars are available at no extra cost, and each has multiple versions.

HeyGen’s avatar library is large with many options - for a beginner it may take some scrolling to find the one you want. Premium (extra cost) avatars are also available. Once chosen, customizing your library avatar takes a few more steps. 

HeyGen also offers the Instant Avatar option - the video and voice taken from your self-recording. The analysis of your speech patterns, voice, and movement, makes for a pretty accurate-looking talking result. You can also use your own voice for any videos. 

Avatar Customization

Both platforms make it easy to make changes to an avatar, for realistic-looking video presentation.

AKOOL’s simple UI makes it easy to customize the avatar, as well as any other selected element. The face-swap option is available when the avatar is selected, as are other options like opacity and alignment. Other customization options are available when other types of elements are selected.

HeyGen’s customization options are abundant, though they may be overwhelming for someone just getting their AI feet wet. 

A similar face-swap feature is available here, though with a somewhat more confusing process.

Templates

HeyGen offers a nice library of video templates with slick backgrounds, onto which you can add any avatar from any library. But it’s not immediately obvious how to change template backgrounds.

AKOOL has an intuitive background changer, presenting numerous background options. Or you can upload your own.

Text to Video

Both platforms produce accurate-sounding video from text, with avatar lip-synching and facial features to match. HeyGen offers fine, granular control which can be a bit complex for a beginner. AKOOL’s focus is on basic, natural-sounding delivery, ideal for marketing or explainer videos.

Talking Photo 

AKOOL's talking photo feature is quite fun, with great results. Upload any photo - yourself, a stock image, even a drawing or painting.

With the face-swap feature, you can get the exact look you want, with an easy download for use in talking videos.

The talking photo UI is simple: avatar on the left, script on the right, and go.

HeyGen also offers a talking photo feature. You can upload an image, or produce an AI avatar with a simple prompt.

The talking photo results were a bit less realistic than what came from AKOOL.

Video Translation

HeyGen has a long list of languages for translation. 

AKOOL’s language list (for now) is not quite as long, but is still impressive, and growing. AKOOL offers most languages used for corporate communication and training.

Generate a video according to the entered script, then upload it back in and get a different version in a different language.

Video Editing

AKOOL’s Realistic Avatar option opens a default template, onto which you can place an avatar from the library and adjust placement and size of all elements. You can overlay text, stickers, emojis, and images, with layering capability to “stack” elements in front of, or behind, other elements.

AKOOL also offers an AI Image Generator feature that produces sophisticated results. Here and some examples of results from a simple robot prompt. 

Background replacement is very easily done with AKOOL. You can use your own imagery, an AKOOL-produced image, or any asset you upload.

HeyGen also has a well-developed templates library, with elements and text you can add and edit. Background replacement can be done, but isn’t intuitively easy.

Pricing

AKOOL is pay-per-use, with flexible credit packages, making it ideal for occasional needs. You can actually get pretty far on the free plan. 

HeyGen is subscription-based, which can work for high-volume corporate users. Subscription pricing is less ideal for students, or weekend-warrior AI users.

HeyGen Vs. AKOOL: Two Different Approaches To AI Videos & Custom Avatars

The advent of AI-driven videos and custom avatars marks a significant leap forward in digital communication and content creation.

These technologies are revolutionizing how individuals and businesses engage with their audiences, providing dynamic, interactive, and highly personalized experiences. Custom AI avatars can emulate human expressions, gestures, and even nuanced emotions, making virtual interactions more relatable and impactful.

AI-generated videos let marketing departments produce high-quality content, tailored to specific audiences and contexts, spending less time and resources. As these technologies continue to evolve, they hold immense potential to transform industries ranging from entertainment and education to marketing and customer service, creating new opportunities for innovation and connection in the digital world. Embracing these advancements will be crucial for those looking to stay ahead in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.

Both HeyGen and AKOOL are into-the-future image and video AI platforms. Here’s are some pros and cons of both: 

HeyGen pros

• HeyGen’s versatility supports a wide range of industry use cases.
• In addition to library avatars and talking photos, HeyGen’s AI-generated instant avatars and voice cloning let you bring “you” into your videos, for a unique and personal touch. 
• HeyGen provides many avatars and templates, and sophisticated editing tools.
• Vast translation options enable you to reach audiences anywhere.
• You can generate talking photos from actual photos as well as AI-generated images.
• HeyGen offers Zapier integration, for easy integration into existing workflows.

AKOOL Pros

• AKOOL’s simple UI makes it easy for beginners to pick up quickly.
• The pay-as-you go pricing model is attractive for occasional or student users.
• Background replacement is easy and intuitive.
• AI image generation is superb.
• The innovative talking photo feature produces realistic and engaging results.
• Text to video produces attractive video presentations.
• The Results section is a handy place to find all generated content. And there is no extra fee to view your content.

HeyGen Cons

• HeyGen’s subscription model, and add-ons for premium features, are limiting for non-corporate users.
• The trial plan runs out quickly.
• The HeyGen UI is crowded, and can be confusing for users new to AI.
• Avatar customization is not intuitive.
• The learning curve is relatively steep.
• Talking photos don’t always turn out as realistically as hoped.
• Depth of voice and range of human emotion are not quite there yet.
• Extra fees are sometimes required to view the final video.

AKOOL Cons

• Translation options are limited, though more languages are in the works.
• Full-body animations are not included yet.

In conclusion, while Heygen's AI features undoubtedly offer powerful capabilities, it's essential for businesses to explore alternative solutions like AKOOL. With a diverse set of marketing AI tools, AKOOL presents a compelling option to enhance your strategies.

Don't just take our word for it – take the next step and explore AKOOL's suite of tools firsthand. Elevate your marketing game and unlock new possibilities with AKOOL's innovative approach to AI-powered solutions. Embrace the future of marketing by experiencing the difference today!