HeyGen API is now on Pay-As-You-Go model, which means you can just purchase the exact amount of API credits you like! No plan, no subscription needed — just pay as you go credits. This is a standalone from our regular HeyGen plans, which means you can purchase API credits without having Creator, Pro, or Business plans. These API pay-as-you-go credits are best suited for creating Studio videos with avatars and Video Translations through the HeyGen API.
For API setup and documentation
New to the HeyGen API? Check out our Developer Quick Start guide for a quick overview of how to set it up and what you can do with it.
For LiveAvatar streaming
Looking to stream a LiveAvatar? LiveAvatar plans and pricing are separate from API plans. Learn more here.
For API support
For API-related questions, troubleshooting, and best practices, visit our API knowledge base and community discussion threads here.
First things first - What is an API?
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a tool that lets different apps or software talk to each other seamlessly. It allows you to connect HeyGen's features directly with your own systems or applications, making it easy to create and automate even more!
This means that you can create Videos or Translations using your own platform without ever using HeyGen's platform. By connecting HeyGen's features directly with your own systems or applications, you can automate tasks and streamline workflows — saving you time and reducing manual effort! You can also use these credits to stream LiveAvatars on your site.
How to view or regenerate your API key
You can get your API key by going into Settings > API > API token in your HeyGen account.
You cannot view your API key without re-generating it, so make sure that when you do generate it — you save it somewhere outside of HeyGen so you won't need to regenerate a different one again.
Can also click on here for a direct link
HeyGen API plan - Pay-as-you-go
HeyGen's API plans are now simplified — Pay-as-you-go model!
This means any user—including free users—can unlock powerful avatar and video features by purchasing any amount of API credits (in USD). It's ideal for teams that need scalable, automated workflows beyond the HeyGen platform.
🛎️Note: If you're on our legacy API plans (like API Pro or API Scale), you can stay on it—we won't force you to migrate. Just make sure your subscription stays active and payments don't lapse, since these plans are deprecated and we can't restore them once canceled.
How many API credits does each feature cost?
API usage is measured in US dollar amount, and is based on the type and length of what you generate. Pricing varies by avatar engine and feature — see the full breakdown in the table below.
There are also endpoint-specific concurrency limits.
For detailed documentation on each API endpoint, please review our developer docs here or the table below.
The pricing in the table below applies to videos generated via API only.
Video Generation with Avatar V engine | Price per 1 minute, charged by actual seconds generated | Credits per min |
Avatar Type | Self Serve Price (per min) | Credits |
Digital Twin | $7.20 | 144 |
Video Generation with Avatar IV engine | Price per 1 minute, charged by actual seconds generated | Credits per min |
Avatar Type | Self Serve Price (per min) | Credits |
Photo Avatar | $2.31 | 46 |
Digital Twin | $4.83 | 97 |
Studio Avatar | $4.83 | 97 |
Video Generation with Avatar III engine | Price per 1 minute, charged by actual seconds generated | Credits per min |
Avatar Type | Self Serve Price (per min) | Credits |
Digital Twin | $0.60 | 12 |
Studio Avatar | $0.99 | 20 |
Photo Avatar | $0.99 | 20 |
Avatar Shots — Cinematic | Price per video generated | Credits |
Resolution | Self Serve Price | Credits |
720p | $7.32 | 146 |
1080p | $17.70 | 354 |
Video Agent | Price per 1 minute of video, charged by actual seconds generated | Credits per min |
Prompt to Video | $5.82 | 116 |
Video Translation | ||
Mode | Rate | Credits per min |
Speed — Audio Only (no lip sync dubbing) | $0.57 | 11 |
Speed — Lip Sync | $0.81 | 16 |
Precision — Lip Sync | $1.50 | 30 |
Note: Proofread mode is available on all paid plans. | Note: Proofread mode is available on all paid plans. | Note: Proofread mode is available on all paid plans. |
Lipsync Audio mode | In this mode, you can upload your own audio to be lipsynced to the video, e.g if you already have the translated audio for this video — you can upload it and we'll do the lipsync! | |
Speed | $0.84 | 17 |
Precision | $1.74 | 35 |
AI Clipping | Price per 1 minute of input video | Credits per min |
Highlight Clip | $0.69 | 14 |
Filler Word Removal | Price per 1 minute of input video | Credits per min |
Filler Word Removal | $0.30 | 6 |
Text-to-Speech | ||
Model | Rate | Credits per min |
Speech — Starfish | $0.12 | 2 |
Avatar Creation | ||
Operation | Rate | Credits |
Digital Twin | $2.13 per call | 43 |
Photo Avatar | $1.32 per call | 26 |
🛎️ The ability to create a custom Digital Twin (Video Avatar), or use Proofreading via API is only available for Enterprise API users — however, Proofread mode for Video Translation is available on all paid plans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For more FAQ specifically for LiveAvatar, click here.
How can I learn about updates to your API library ?
You can actually review our docs library here and sign up for these RSS feed below-
Do API credits expire?
Yes, our old plans API credits (Pro / Scale) expire after 30 days from purchase, whereas the pay-as-you-go credits expire after 12 months.
I ran out of API credits this month! What do I do?
If you run out of API credits, you can just purchase more credits as our API model is pay-as-you-go.
If you're on the API Pro plan or API Scale plan, you no longer have the option to enable auto-renew your credits. Once you use up your monthly plan credits, you'll have to wait for the subscription to renew at end of month, or switch over to the Pay-as-you-go model.
You can also reach out to [email protected] for assistance with payment issues with your plan.
Can I subscribe to an API plan without a standard HeyGen paid plan?
Yes! HeyGen API plans are standalone purchases and separate from HeyGen subscription.
How many free API credits do I get each month?
HeyGen does not offer free API credits starting Feb 2026. We've added an option to purchase API credits outside our main plans using a pay-as-you-go model.
How many videos can I process simultaneously with API Plan?
API plan allows for 10 videos to be processed concurrently.
*Last updated on September 16, 2026.*