Hedra

Turns one image plus audio or text into an expressive talking character

AI Avatars & Digital HumansFree planOverseasβ˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† 4.0

What is Hedra?

Hedra's Character-3 model takes an image with a script or an audio clip and returns a talking character whose mouth shapes follow the voice at phoneme level, with blinks, head motion and expressions that track the delivery. That lip-sync quality from a single still is what the product is known for, and it is why a portrait, a mascot or an illustration can carry narration without footage being shot. Around the model, Hedra has grown into a multi-model studio with image and video generators in the same account, plus an API and streaming avatars. Clips are short and resolution is capped, so longer pieces are cut from several generations.

Last updated: 2026-09-20. This site only provides an index; for exact features, pricing, and licensing, see the official website.

Key features

  • Talking character video from a single image plus audio or text
  • Phoneme-level lip-sync across a large range of languages
  • Micro-expressions, blinking and head movement driven by audio
  • Multi-model studio with image and video generation in one place
  • Voice cloning and text-to-speech inside the same account
  • Live avatar streaming and a REST API for app integration

Pros & cons

Strengths

  • Lip-sync from a still image is among the best available
  • One image is enough, with no shoot and no avatar training
  • Image and video models are bundled into the same subscription

Watch out for

  • Generations are short, so longer videos need stitching
  • Character output tops out below full HD resolution
  • Credits do not roll over and the free tier is watermarked

Best for & use cases

talking avatars, mascot explainers, social clips and character-driven shorts

If you're comparing similar products, check the alternatives below, or browse all tools in the AI Avatars & Digital Humans category.

FAQ

Do I need to record video of myself?

No. A single front-facing image plus a script or audio clip is the standard workflow, which is why people use it for illustrations, mascots and historical portraits as readily as for their own face.

What are the main limits?

Clip length and resolution. Character generations run for a handful of seconds each and stop below full HD, so a longer video is built from several passes and assembled in an editor afterwards.

Can I use the output in paid advertising?

Commercial rights and watermark removal generally start on the paid tiers, so check the current plan terms. If you are animating a real person, make sure you also have their permission.