What is Tavus?
Tavus is a Conversational Video Interface that lets you build real-time video AI characters with under 500ms end-to-end latency, powered by three in-house models (Phoenix-4 rendering, Raven-1 perception, Sparrow-1 dialogue). Developers use it to create AI humans that see, hear, and respond on a webcam stream. The Starter plan at $59/month with 100 CVI minutes and overage at $0.37/min makes it one of the most accessible video agent APIs on the market.
Voice agents and conversational AI platforms for calls, qualification, scheduling, support, and audio workflows.
See the full Voice AI guide to compare more tools, buyer criteria, and related workflows.
Use cases to evaluate
AI video interviewers and screening agents
Interactive video tutors and language coaches
Sales prospecting videos personalized at scale
Real-time video receptionists and concierge apps
Fit to evaluate
Developers building interactive video products
Sales teams running personalized outbound video
EdTech founders building tutoring or coaching apps
Recruiters automating first-round video screens
Business fit
Right for you if you are building an interactive video product: AI tutor, interviewer, sales rep, or video receptionist where the user sees a face on screen. Skip if you only need pre-rendered avatar videos, where HeyGen or Synthesia produce comparable output cheaper. Custom replica training is included from $59/mo (3 trainings) up to $397/mo Growth (7 trainings). Concurrent stream limits (1, 3, 10) will throttle you before minutes do.
How to evaluate Tavus
Use this category when missed calls, slow qualification, or phone support volume affects revenue.
Confirm the exact workflow
Map Tavus to one concrete workflow first, such as ai video interviewers and screening agents. Avoid buying before the owner, trigger, output, and success metric are clear.
Check category fit
Test voice quality, latency, interruptions, and escalation behavior.
Compare practical alternatives
Shortlist Tavus against Retell AI, Vapi, Bland AI so the decision is based on fit, effort, and workflow ownership rather than brand recognition alone.
Validate cost and rollout effort
Basic $0/mo (25 CVI min, 5 video gen min, 1 stream). Starter $59/mo (100 CVI min, 10 gen min, 3 replicas, 3 streams, $0.37/min CVI overage). Growth $397/mo (1,250 CVI min, 100 gen min, 7 replicas, 10 streams, $0.32/min overage). Enterprise custom. Extra replicas $40-$65. Recordings $0.03/min. Consumer PALs: Plus $20/mo, Max $50/mo. Also confirm implementation time, support needs, and whether the medium setup matches your team.
Compare Tavus with alternatives
Use this quick comparison before booking demos or moving data into a new system.
| Primary workflow | AI video interviewers and screening agents, Interactive video tutors and language coaches |
|---|---|
| Best-fit team | Developers building interactive video products, Sales teams running personalized outbound video |
| Implementation effort | Medium setup and maintenance profile |
| Pricing check | Free plan + paid plans |
| Closest alternatives | Retell AIVapiBland AISynthflow |
Tavus pricing
| Model | Free plan + paid plans |
|---|---|
| Snapshot | Basic $0/mo (25 CVI min, 5 video gen min, 1 stream). Starter $59/mo (100 CVI min, 10 gen min, 3 replicas, 3 streams, $0.37/min CVI overage). Growth $397/mo (1,250 CVI min, 100 gen min, 7 replicas, 10 streams, $0.32/min overage). Enterprise custom. Extra replicas $40-$65. Recordings $0.03/min. Consumer PALs: Plus $20/mo, Max $50/mo. |
| Checked |
Common questions about Tavus
What is Tavus?
Tavus is a Conversational Video Interface that lets you build real-time video AI characters with under 500ms end-to-end latency, powered by three in-house models (Phoenix-4 rendering, Raven-1 perception, Sparrow-1 dialogue). Developers use it to create AI humans that see, hear, and respond on a webcam stream. The Starter plan at $59/month with 100 CVI minutes and overage at $0.37/min makes it one of the most accessible video agent APIs on the market.
What is Tavus used for?
Common use cases: AI video interviewers and screening agents; Interactive video tutors and language coaches; Sales prospecting videos personalized at scale; Real-time video receptionists and concierge apps.
How much does Tavus cost?
Basic $0/mo (25 CVI min, 5 video gen min, 1 stream). Starter $59/mo (100 CVI min, 10 gen min, 3 replicas, 3 streams, $0.37/min CVI overage). Growth $397/mo (1,250 CVI min, 100 gen min, 7 replicas, 10 streams, $0.32/min overage). Enterprise custom. Extra replicas $40-$65. Recordings $0.03/min. Consumer PALs: Plus $20/mo, Max $50/mo.
Who is Tavus best for?
Tavus fits Developers building interactive video products, Sales teams running personalized outbound video, EdTech founders building tutoring or coaching apps, Recruiters automating first-round video screens. Right for you if you are building an interactive video product: AI tutor, interviewer, sales rep, or video receptionist where the user sees a face on screen. Skip if you only need pre-rendered avatar videos, where HeyGen or Synthesia produce comparable output cheaper. Custom replica training is included from $59/mo (3 trainings) up to $397/mo Growth (7 trainings). Concurrent stream limits (1, 3, 10) will throttle you before minutes do.
What are alternatives to Tavus?
Common alternatives to Tavus include Retell AI, Vapi, Bland AI, Synthflow, ElevenLabs Conversational AI, PolyAI.