How to Make an Avatar for Videos in 5 Minutes
If you are interested in all things AI and video, keep reading to learn how to create a human-like AI avatar from text.
No one is as ugly as their driver's license picture or as good-looking as their profile picture.
This quote is still funny, but here's the thing.
In a few years, our profile pictures will be replaced by something more interactive and more dynamic: AI avatars.
In fact, AI avatars are already being used for many use cases. Think of video game characters, virtual assistants, and personalized stickers we use on social media.
The primary purpose of AI avatars is (and will be) to represent people in a virtual context and make their interactions more human.
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Some avatars are hyperrealistic, others fully customizable. Some are 3D, others 2D. Some can speak, others can speak AND think. Some can help you find a perfect car, and others can make you fall in love with them.
Nope, we’re not in a sci-fi movie. This is the new normal.
So let’s look at how AI avatars can be used and what are some of the best AI avatar generators currently available.
Top 19 AI avatar generators in 2024
Here's the complete list of the best paid and free AI avatar generators currently on the market:
- Synthesia
- D-ID
- Colossyan
- Digital People by Soul Machine
- NVIDIA AI Avatars
- Digital Humans by Uneeq
- Ready Player Me
- Avaturn
- Inworld
- RemoteFace
- Microsoft Mesh avatars
- Bitmoji
- Memoji
- Replika
- Lensa AI magic avatars
- Magic AI
- Fotor
- Dawn
- Starry AI
19 AI avatar creator tools compared
Best text-to-speech avatars
Since ChatGPT was released, creating text-based content has become super accessible.
But in 2024, people don’t want to read — and that’s precisely why text-to-speech avatars are taking the internet by storm.
These avatars are perfect for anyone wanting to add a layer of personality to their videos.
But it’s not just stock avatars you can use — you can also create your own custom AI avatar.
Depending on your chosen tool, the avatars vary from realistic (Synthesia’s avatars) to cartoony (D-ID’s avatars).
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Most of these AI avatar generators work similarly: you insert your text and select an AI presenter to read it out loud for you in various languages, tones and voices. The process is super simple, and most text-to-speech avatar generators also offer other video editing capabilities so that you can create truly unique and engaging content.
These are the tools that can help you make your best text-to-speech avatar:
1. Synthesia - The best AI avatar generator
If you're looking to add lifelike AI avatars to add to your video content, then Synthesia should be your first choice.
To use the AI avatar creator and create a video from scratch, type in your video script, choose an avatar and voice, and click 'Generate.'
Synthesia's AI avatars look and sound authentic, and you can even apply various micro gestures to their facial expressions (you can make them wink, nod, frown, and shake their heads).
You can create videos in 130+ languages and choose between 160+ diverse stock avatars. You can also have your custom avatar created based on a 3-minute video of yourself.
Best for
Video content creation with realistic presenters. Works especially well for narrated training, explainer, internal communication, and educational videos.
Key features
- 160+ realistic AI avatars
- Custom avatars (webcam & studio quality)
- Customizable micro-gestures
- 130+ languages for voiceovers
- Integrated AI video editor for end-to-end video creation
- User-friendly interface
- Built-in AI script assistant
- Quick video generation
- Integrations with 30+ apps
- Automatic video translation
Pricing
- Free AI avatar generator demo
- Starter plan: $22/month
- Creator plan: $67/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
2. D-ID
Although D-ID offers both realistic and cartoon avatars, we suggest you use it for the latter. These avatars are created entirely by AI, and you can also generate new avatars based on text prompts.
With 119 languages and accents, we especially like that once you select your desired voice, you can customize its style (e.g. shout, whisper, sad, excited) to make it even more expressive.
Best for
Artistic AI avatars for contexts where realism is not required.
Key features
- Integration with ChatGPT and Canva
- Text-to-image capabilities
- Avatars generated from photos
- Cartoon-style AI-generated avatars from prompts
Pricing
- Free trial
- Lite plan: $5.9/month
- Pro plan: $29/month
- Advanced plan: $196/month
- Enterprise plan: Custom pricing
3. Colossyan
Colossyan is another AI video generator that offers text-to-speech avatars. With Colossyan, you can access an extensive library of over 50 AI avatars and 70+ languages.
One of the standout features of Colossyan's platform is the option to customize your avatar's age and emotions with a single click.
Best for
Training videos with realistic AI avatars.
Key features
- 50+ stock AI avatars
- Possibility to create custom AI avatar
- 70+ languages for AI voiceovers
- Brand kits
Pricing
- Starter plan: $35/month
- Pro plan: $120/month
- Enterprise plan: Custom pricing
Best AI avatar generators for virtual assistants
Let’s admit it: most virtual assistants suck. 😒
You want a quick and helpful solution to your problem, and they struggle to understand the basics of what you’re talking about.
But AI is changing the game.
Virtual assistants are finally getting better at communication, feeling (and looking!) more lifelike and reliable than ever before.
Advanced technology enables them to communicate with us via voice, text or even video. Different models are trained to help them formulate accurate responses in real-time. And the fact that they behave in a lifelike manner not only with words but also with non-verbal cues makes them super engaging.
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Here are the three best AI avatar generators if you’re looking to upgrade your customer experience strategy:
4. Digital People by Soul Machine
Soul Machine offers AI systems to create engaging and trustworthy user experiences using “Digital People.” Digital People are CGI characters powered by “Digital Brain,” the core technology that enables them to replicate everyday human interactions. They can speak and move naturally (including micro gestures and facial expressions), while all responsiveness happens in real-time.
Real-world use cases with these technologies also include virtual assistants, digital agents, navigation helpers at trade shows, digital educators, and more.
Best for
Enhancing digital experiences for brands, celebrities, businesses, and influencers.
Key features
- Avatar anonymization
- Pre-designed avatar templates
- Avatar style customization options (hair, makeup, clothing)
- Gestures and hand movements
- Multiple behavior options for increased authenticity
- Integration with ChatGPT
Pricing
- Free plan with limited access to features
- Basic plan: $39/month
- Plus plan: $299/month
5. Nvidia AI avatars
The NVIDIA Omniverse Avatar Cloud Engine is a collection of cloud-native AI microservices and workflows that enable users to easily create, customize, and deploy avatars.
Combining their Animation AI, Conversational AI, and Recommendation AI solutions makes it possible to create 3D avatars that respond in real-time. These AI avatars can be easily adapted to any customer service interaction, leading to better business prospects and higher customer satisfaction.
Best for
Creating and deploying interactive AI-generated avatars, digital humans for in-app experiences (virtual assistants), and intelligent non-playable game characters (NPCs).
Key features
- Flexible deployment options
- Highly-customizable avatars
- Realistic 2D and 3D avatar animation
Pricing
- Information not publicly available
6. Digital Humans by Uneeq
Digital Humans by Uneeq is another conversational AI solution you can use to improve customer interactions. You can use them in various ways, such as interpreting and routing inbound leads, promoting self-service behavior, and driving emotional customer engagement.
You can create your digital human within the platform that takes your existing data (your NLP that drives your chatbot) and turns it into engaging human interactions.
Companies like Deloitte, IBM, and Vodafone are already using the solution, and it may be worth trying if you're looking for new ways to interact with customers.
Best for
Marketing, sales, and customer service use cases.
Key features
- Ease of integration with existing platforms
- Support in 70+ languages
Pricing
- Information not publicly available
Best metaverse avatars
Not that the metaverse has a definition, but let’s try to agree on it for the purpose of this article. 😊
Let’s say it's a virtual world that exists alongside the physical world, where people can interact with each other and do all sorts of things.
One of the key elements of this virtual world is avatars representing people while they move around and engage with others.
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Honestly, they're crucial to the whole experience, making it more personalized and allowing us to connect with people in new ways.
So let’s take a closer look at some of the most famous metaverse avatars:
7. Ready Player Me
Ready Player Me is perhaps the best AI avatar creator for the metaverse. It's a cross-game avatar platform that allows you to create your avatar from a single photo and customize it with hundreds of options. Ready Player Me avatars can be used in 7000+ supported apps and games.
Best for
Creating high-quality personalized avatar game characters from selfies.
Key features
- Thousands of customization options
- Easy to embed into Unity, Unreal, web and mobile apps
- Library of free character assets
- Free studio-quality animations
Pricing
- Free
8. Avaturn
Avaturn creates realistic, game-ready avatars based on a few selfies. Select a body type, hairstyle, clothes, and other customizable elements to make your avatar stand out. The biggest advantage of Avaturn is that it's based on a large dataset. This means that it can generate a 3D model of a user in real-time, replicating the exact facial geometry from the user's photo.
Best for
Turning people into realistic and customizable 3D avatars for the metaverse, games or apps.
Key features
- AI avatar generator from a selfie
- Thousands of customization options
- Easy exports to 3D environments
- Animation-ready avatars
Pricing
- Free plan with less customization options
- Pro plan: $800/month
- Enterprise plan: Custom pricing
9. Inworld
Another AI avatar generator for virtual worlds is Inworld. Not only can you define the appearance of your AI avatar, but you can also configure its personality using natural language prompts. It is powered by AI algorithms that are designed to mimic human behavior in terms of gestures, speech, emotions, and memory.
Best for
Creating NPCs with distinct character personalities.
Key features
- Custom knowledge, safety and narrative controls
- Create avatars with personality
Pricing
- Free AI avatar creator with limited features
- Custom pricing for more in-depth use cases
Best AI avatars for video conferences
One extension of the metaverse is also the sphere of work. We’ve already been working in virtual environments since the pandemic, and it’s becoming the new normal.
Remote work allows us to work from anywhere we want and spend less time commuting, but…
Jumping on a call still takes quite some effort. Be it putting on a shirt, makeup, or removing *that* thing from the background.
One possible solution: AI avatars for video conferencing.
10. RemoteFace
One way to get your avatar for video meetings is a virtual camera plugin that creates the avatar based on your selfie. It also includes many virtual backgrounds you can choose from. You can download the RemoteFace plugin for either Mac or Windows.
Best for
Protecting your privacy in video calls.
Key features
- AI avatar created from a single selfie
- Integrations with the most popular video conferencing apps
Pricing
RemoteFace is a free AI avatar generator.
11. Microsoft Mesh avatars
This might also be a good solution if you're a Microsoft Teams user. Microsoft now offers Mesh avatars, which are animated, customized versions of yourself that can join meetings.
You can use these avatars to visually participate in meetings without turning on your camera, express yourself with various gestures and reactions, and create multiple versions to fit different meetings.
Best for
Protecting your privacy on video calls.
Key features
- Customization options for body, hair, makeup and clothing
- Mood toggle for realistic avatar reactions
Pricing
- Free
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AI avatars for entertainment
Avatars can, of course, also be used for more intimate communication between friends and family.
Here are some of the best AI avatar generators to create avatars for messages, social media apps, or just for a good prank.
By the way, did you know you can even make your very own AI companions?
12. Bitmoji
Initially used in Snapchat, Bitmoji is a popular app for creating personalized avatars for messaging and social media.
It's free and customizable, with various features and outfits to choose from.
Best for
Creating cartoon avatars for social media.
Key features
- Customization features for personalized avatars
- It can be used across different social media and messaging apps
- Easy to set up and customize
Pricing
- Free
13. Memoji
Memoji is a feature by Apple that lets users create personalized avatars for various messaging apps, including Apple's own Messenger app.
Similar to Bitmoji, users can customize their Memoji with different hairstyles, accessories, and facial features to create a unique digital representation of themselves.
One can use their Memoji avatar to create video messages from recordings or use it on FaceTime instead of their own face.
Best for
Creating animated personalized avatars of themselves for social media
Key features
- A lot of customization options
- Users can generate sticker packs from their customized Memoji
- Memojis use the iPhone's advanced facial recognition technology to mimic the user's facial expressions in real-time, including movements and expressions.
Pricing
- Free
14. Replika
With the Replika app, you can create your new digital friend, partner, or mentor.
It's always up for a chat or video call; the more you share with them, the better they can understand you.
This might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it's now a reality you can experience right from your phone.
Best for
Using an AI avatar as a personal companion.
Key features
- Personalized interactions based on conversation history
- Conversations on a wide range of topics
- Voice or text-based interaction with the avatar
Pricing
- Free plan
- Pro plan: from $7.99/month
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Best artistic AI avatar generators
Sometimes, we want to spice up our profile pictures, and sometimes, we just want to see what we would look like as our favorite fantasy characters. This is where these next four avatar generators come into play.
15. Lensa
You've undoubtedly seen many profile pics in different styles lately.
Well, chances are they were created using Lensa AI magic avatars.
Lensa is an AI-powered photo editing app and AI art generator for portrait selfies, with various filters and editing techniques that include different styles, such as anime, fantasy, pop, stylish, light, and more.
Best for
Generating avatars in different artistic styles.
Key features
- For each photo submitted, Lensa's AI generates several different avatars
- User-friendly interface
- Lensa's magic avatar feature can render images in various art styles
- There is less steep learning curve than using a traditional AI art generator
Pricing
- Free plan
- Premium plan: $3.99/month
16. Magic AI avatar generator
As the name suggests, the tool doesn't focus on lifelike avatars but AI magic avatars. This means you can generate anime, superhero, cartoon, comic, and sci-fi avatars and more.
Best for
When you want to generate a new avatar for your profile picture to stand out.
Key features
- Easy-to-use mobile app interface
- Lots of avatar styles to choose from
Pricing
- Free plan
- Premium plan: $3.99
17. Fotor AI avatar generator
Fotor is a photo editing app with an AI avatar generation function. Similarly to other AI avatar generators, it works by processing your uploaded selfies through AI algorithms to generate unique yet recognizable avatars.
Best for
The Fotor AI avatar generator is best for creating avatars for social media profiles or marketing materials for your personal brand.
Key features
- Works in minutes
- Choose from professional, creative and yearbook-style avatars
- Desktop and mobile apps
Pricing
- Free version
- Pro plan: $8.99/month
18. Dawn AI avatar generator
Dawn AI is an app that uses advanced AI technology to generate engaging avatars from your selfies.
All you have to do is upload clear images of yourself and let Dawn AI do the rest.
It uses the uploaded images to train their artificial intelligence algorithms and then generates countless unique AI avatars in different styles.
Best for
Dawn AI is great for generating unique profile pictures and virtual identities.
Key features
- Each AI-generated avatar keeps your unique facial features
- AI avatars are ready in minutes
- Wide range of artistic styles
Pricing
- Free version
- Pro plans start from $2.99
19. Starry AI
Starry AI is an AI art generator that also works well for generating artistic AI avatars.
Best for
If you want to generate AI avatars that are very artsy and unique, Starry AI is one of the best options.
Key features
- A lot of customization options
- Generation through text prompts
- Five aspect ratio options
- Users can generate up to 5 artworks a day for free
- Available on desktop and your mobile device
Pricing
Starry AI is a free AI avatar generator.
What’s your favorite AI avatar generator?
In conclusion, the world of avatars is vast and varied, with a range of options available to suit different needs and use cases.
From personalized cartoon-like characters to 3D replicas, there's an AI avatar for every purpose
As technology advances and the internet becomes increasingly interactive, the avatar space will undoubtedly evolve, presenting even more exciting ways for digital communication and self-expression.
The possibilities are... pretty much endless.
P.S. Want to create a free video with a text-to-speech avatar in 1 minute? Make it here using Synthesia's free AI video generator.