HeyGen Tutorial (2026): Make an AI Avatar Video, Step by Step

By Brody Babb · Updated Oct 11, 2026 · Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from links on this page.

This HeyGen tutorial walks you through making an AI avatar video from a script, from picking an avatar to exporting your finished video. Brody has used HeyGen hands-on.

HeyGen Tutorial Prerequisites

• A HeyGen account. The free plan lets you make a few videos per month for testing.
• A short script, even rough bullet points.
• For a custom digital twin: a webcam or phone and about 15 to 20 seconds of clean footage.

Create a HeyGen account

Free plan available, no credit card required. Verified Oct 11, 2026.

Step 1: Start a New Video

From the HeyGen dashboard, start from scratch or pick a template by use case, such as marketing, training, or social clips. A template gives you a scene structure you can edit. Starting from scratch gives you a blank canvas in the editor.

Step 2: Choose Your Avatar Type

• Stock avatars: pre-built presenters you can use right away.
• Photo avatar: upload one front-facing, well-lit photo. Use a sharp, high-resolution image with the face clearly visible.
• Digital twin: record a short webcam clip of yourself to create a custom avatar. The footage needs steady lighting and a plain background.

Step 3: Write or Paste Your Script

Paste your script into the text box for your scene. Rough bullet points work as a starting point, and you can refine the wording inside the editor. Break longer videos into several scenes rather than one long block of text.

Step 4: Choose a Voice

In this HeyGen tutorial step, pick a voice from the library and preview it against your script before you commit. Voice options depend on your plan. Free plans list 30+ languages, and paid plans list 175 languages and dialects. If you’ve made a voice clone, it appears as an option.

Step 5: Customize the Scene

Adjust the avatar’s size and position, set a background, and add any logos or on-screen media you need.

Start your HeyGen video

Free plan available, no credit card required. Verified Oct 11, 2026.

Step 6: Preview and Render

Preview the full scene before you render. In every HeyGen tutorial, this step saves credits. Rendering takes longer for longer videos and for custom digital twins than for short clips with stock avatars.

Step 7: Export and Translate (Optional)

Download the finished video when rendering finishes. If you need other languages, HeyGen’s translation tools can dub the video. Translation features depend on your plan.

HeyGen Tutorial Settings and Limits That Are Easy to Miss

• Free plan limits: the free plan lists 3 videos per month, videos up to 1 minute, and 1 custom avatar. It is fine for testing, but check the limits before using it for client or published work.
• Photo quality matters most: a sharp, evenly lit, front-facing photo does more for realism than any setting.
• Credits depend on output: the Creator plan lists 600 credits per month, and renders use credits based on output length. Finalize your script before you render to avoid spending credits on repeat renders.
• Consent for likenesses: a digital twin or voice clone of another person needs that person’s own participation in the recording.

HeyGen Pricing (Verified Oct 11, 2026)

HeyGen’s pricing page lists a free plan at $0 per month, Creator at $29 per month ($24 billed yearly) with 600 credits, Pro at $49 per month with 1,000 credits, and Business at $149 per month plus $20 per extra seat. Check the pricing page before you buy, because plans and credit amounts change.

HeyGen’s official pricing page

Next Steps

• Compare this HeyGen tutorial workflow with Synthesia in our Synthesia vs. HeyGen comparison
• Return to the AI Content and Media Production Tools guide for more tools in this category

Create a HeyGen account

Free plan available, no credit card required. Verified Oct 11, 2026.

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