How to Use Vidyard AI Features to Save Hours of Work in 2026

Quick Start

This guide covers every Vidyard feature:

• Getting Started — Create your account and record your first video
• How to Use AI Avatars — Turn a written script into a lifelike video without filming yourself
• How to Use Prospector — Find buyers and start video outreach from one screen
• How to Use Integrations — Push video data straight into your CRM and email tools
• How to Use Insights — See who watched, how long they stayed, and where they dropped off
• How to Use Templates — Reuse proven video layouts so creating new videos takes minutes
• How to Use Video Agents — Automate personalized video delivery based on CRM triggers
• How to Use Video Messaging — Record your screen and camera, then share videos in seconds
• How to Use Video Hosting — Host videos on branded pages with captions and no distractions
• How to Use Converting & Closing — Add CTAs and forms that turn views into booked meetings

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I have used Vidyard for eight months and tested every feature covered here.

This video tutorial comes from real hands-on work, not vendor screenshots.

I found that three features do most of the heavy lifting, and I highlight them below.

Vidyard is one of the most capable video platforms available to a sales or marketing business today.

But most users only ever record and share videos.

This guide shows you how to use Vidyard properly, feature by feature.

Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips you can apply today.

Vidyard Tutorial

This complete How to Use Vidyard AI tutorial walks through every feature in order.

You start with a simple screen recording and finish with automated outreach.

Vidyard

Record your screen, send the link, and watch exactly who clicks play. Vidyard turns cold outreach into real conversations with buyers. Start free — no credit card required.

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Getting Started with Vidyard

Before you use any feature, finish this one-time setup.

It takes about three minutes.

Here is my personal experience with the setup process:

Now let’s walk through each step.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to the Vidyard website and click Sign Up Free.

Enter your work email and create a password.

✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for the confirmation email.

Step 2: Install the Extension or Desktop App

Add the Vidyard browser extension from the Chrome Web Store.

Windows and Mac users can install the desktop app instead.

Here is what the dashboard looks like once you log in:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your video library and the record button.

Step 3: Set Up Your Sharing Options

Add your logo, brand colors, and a default call to action.

Then connect Gmail or Outlook so you can share videos without leaving your inbox.

How to Use Vidyard AI Avatars

AI Avatars lets you turn a written script into a lifelike video without filming yourself.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open the AI Avatar Studio

Click AI Avatars in the left sidebar of your dashboard.

Pick an avatar and a voice that match your brand.

Step 2: Paste Your Script

Drop your script into the text box on the right.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your avatar appears in the preview pane with the script loaded.

Step 3: Generate and Review

Click Generate and wait about two minutes.

How to Use Vidyard Prospector

Prospector lets you find buyers and start video outreach from one screen.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Set Your Filters

Choose industry, company size, job title, and region.

Narrow filters beat broad ones every time.

Step 2: Build Your List

Select the contacts you want and add them to a list.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your list shows verified contacts with email addresses attached.

Step 3: Attach a Video

Pick a saved video or record a fresh one.

How to Use Vidyard Integrations

Integrations lets you push video data straight into your CRM and email tools.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open the Integrations Tab

Find it under Settings in your account menu.

You will see Salesforce, HubSpot, Gmail, Outlook, and more.

Step 2: Connect Your Account

Click Connect and approve the permissions prompt.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The integration shows a green Connected badge.

Step 3: Map Your Fields

Decide which viewing data lands on which CRM record.

How to Use Vidyard Insights

Insights lets you see who watched, how long they stayed, and where they dropped off.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open the Insights Dashboard

Click Insights in the top navigation bar.

Every video you share gets its own engagement report.

Step 2: Read the Attention Graph

The graph shows exactly where viewers stopped watching.

✓ Checkpoint: You can view a per-viewer list with watch times beside each name.

Step 3: Act on the Data

Follow up with anyone who watched past the halfway mark.

How to Use Vidyard Templates

Templates lets you reuse proven video layouts so creating new videos takes minutes.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Browse the Template Library

Open Templates and scan the categories.

Options cover outreach, onboarding, support, and follow-up.

Step 2: Customize the Branding

Swap in your logo, colors, and end-card message.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your branded template appears in the shared team library.

Step 3: Save It for the Team

Share the template so everyone works from one theme.

How to Use Vidyard Video Agents

Video Agents lets you automate personalized video delivery based on CRM triggers.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Choose a Trigger

Pick the CRM event that should fire the video.

Common triggers include a new lead, a demo booking, or a stalled deal.

Step 2: Set the Personalization Tokens

Insert first name, company, and role into the script.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The agent status flips from Draft to Active.

Step 3: Turn the Agent On

Switch the agent live and let it run.

How to Use Vidyard Video Messaging

Video Messaging lets you record your screen and camera, then share videos in seconds.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open the Browser Extension

Select the Vidyard extension in the upper right corner of your browser.

Choose Screen, Camera, or Screen plus Cam.

Step 2: Check Your Audio

An audio test confirms your microphone is picking up sound.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: A preview of your video appears in the extension for review.

Step 3: Record and Stop

Click the Stop button in your recording controls when you finish.

Follow the on-screen instructions to trim or re-record before you share.

How to Use Vidyard Video Hosting

Video Hosting lets you host videos on branded pages with captions and no distractions.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Upload Your File

Drag in an MP4, MOV, or WMV file.

You can also send a recording straight from the desktop app.

Step 2: Add Captions

Request captioning and pick your source and target languages.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Captions are added under the player once the transcription finishes.

Step 3: Set the Sharing Options

Choose a public link, an embed code, or a private share.

How to Use Vidyard Converter

Converting & Closing lets you add CTAs and forms that turn views into booked meetings.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Open the In-Video Actions Panel

Find it inside the online editor beside the timeline.

You can trim clips and select thumbnails from the same screen.

Step 2: Add a Call to Action

Place a button at the moment your pitch lands.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The CTA shows on the timeline at the timestamp you picked.

Step 3: Attach a Form

Gate the rest of the video behind an email capture form.

Vidyard Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After eight months of daily use, these habits helped me achieve more replies in less time.

Here are the benefits that show up first:

Keyboard Shortcuts

Hidden Features Most People Miss

• Speaker notes in the extension: Paste your talking points and read them while you look at the camera.
• AI scripting: Describe your goal and let Vidyard draft the script before you hit record.
• Speaker identification in captions: Turn on the premium transcription service to label each voice in the transcript.
• Turnaround levels: Captioning offers standard, expedited, and rush options when a deadline is tight.

Vidyard Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Recording Without a Plan

Mistake #2: Ignoring Audio Quality

Mistake #3: Sending and Forgetting

Vidyard Troubleshooting

Problem: The Extension Will Not Record My Screen

Cause: Your browser has not been granted screen recording permission.

Fix: Open your system privacy settings and allow screen recording for your browser, then restart it.

Problem: My Microphone Picks Up Nothing

Cause: The extension defaulted to the wrong input source.

Fix: Select another microphone from the dropdown menu.

Watch the audio test bar move before you record.

Problem: Captions Are Full of Errors

Cause: Product names and acronyms confuse automatic transcription.

Fix: Add job notes with the correct spellings and request the video again.

A premium turnaround level also improves accuracy.

📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact Vidyard support through the help menu.

What is Vidyard?

Vidyard is an AI-powered video platform for marketing and sales teams.

Think of it like a recording studio, a video host, and a tracking dashboard combined.

Sales teams use it to reach buyers, and support teams use it to help customers.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

• AI Avatars: Turn a written script into a lifelike video without filming yourself
• Prospector: Find buyers and start video outreach from one screen
• Integrations: Push video data straight into your CRM and email tools
• Insights: See who watched, how long they stayed, and where they dropped off
• Templates: Reuse proven video layouts so creating new videos takes minutes
• Video Agents: Automate personalized video delivery based on CRM triggers
• Video Messaging: Record your screen and camera, then share videos in seconds
• Video Hosting: Host videos on branded pages with captions and no distractions
• Converting & Closing: Add CTAs and forms that turn views into booked meetings

For a full review, see our Vidyard review.

Vidyard Pricing

Here is what Vidyard costs in 2026:

Free trial: Yes, the free plan runs forever with no card required.

Money-back guarantee: No stated refund window, so test on the free plan first.

💰 Best Value: Starter — it adds the viewer insights that make video outreach worth sending.

Vidyard vs Alternatives

How does Vidyard compare? Here is the competitive landscape:

Quick picks:

• Best overall: Vidyard — recording, hosting, and buyer tracking in one place
• Best budget: Vidnoz — a generous free tier for creating quick clips
• Best for beginners: Veed — the editor makes sense within a few minutes
• Best for AI avatars: HeyGen — the most lifelike presenters available today

🎯 Vidyard Alternatives

Looking for Vidyard alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🚀 HeyGen: Strong avatar quality and quick language dubbing for global outreach teams.
• 🌟 Synthesia: The most polished avatar library, built for training and internal communication.
• 🏢 Colossyan: Scenario-based training videos with multiple avatars talking in one scene.
• 💰 Veed: Affordable browser editor with solid auto captions and subtitle translation.
• 🎯 Elai: Turns blog posts and slide decks into narrated video with little setup.
• ⚡ Vidnoz: Generous free tier and a big template library for fast social clips.
• 🧠 Deepbrain: Realistic AI presenters aimed at news, finance, and corporate updates.
• 🎨 Synthesys: Wide voice selection with decent avatar output for ad creatives.
• 💼 Hour One: Character-driven videos for onboarding and repeatable customer education.
• 🔧 D-ID: Photo-to-video animation with an API developers can build on.
• 👶 Virbo: Beginner friendly mobile app for quick talking-head marketing clips.
• ⭐ Fliki: Text-to-video with natural voices and automatic stock footage matching.
• 🔒 Speechify: Best for voice cloning and turning written content into audio.
• 📊 InVideo: Prompt-driven editing that assembles full videos from a short brief.
• 🔥 Creatify: Built for product ads, pulling visuals straight from a store link.
• 🎬 Captions AI: Mobile-first editing with sharp auto captions and eye contact correction.

For the full list, see our Vidyard alternatives guide.

⚔️ Vidyard Compared

Here is how Vidyard stacks up against each competitor:

• Vidyard vs HeyGen: HeyGen wins on avatar realism. Vidyard wins on tracking, CRM data, and closing deals.
• Vidyard vs Synthesia: Synthesia suits polished training content. Vidyard suits sales outreach that needs viewer analytics.
• Vidyard vs Colossyan: Colossyan is built for learning teams. Vidyard covers recording, hosting, and pipeline in one place.
• Vidyard vs Veed: Veed is cheaper for editing. Vidyard adds hosting, insights, and integrations Veed does not match.
• Vidyard vs Elai: Elai converts documents fast. Vidyard gives you the buyer data that follows the send.
• Vidyard vs Vidnoz: Vidnoz is the budget pick. Vidyard is the choice when revenue depends on the video.
• Vidyard vs Deepbrain: Deepbrain looks broadcast ready. Vidyard is faster for daily one-to-one messages.
• Vidyard vs Synthesys: Synthesys leads on voice variety. Vidyard leads on screen recording and sharing speed.
• Vidyard vs Hour One: Hour One fits scripted education. Vidyard fits unscripted, personal sales video.
• Vidyard vs D-ID: D-ID is a developer toolkit. Vidyard is a finished platform your reps can use today.
• Vidyard vs Virbo: Virbo is easier on mobile. Vidyard is stronger on desktop workflows and CRM sync.
• Vidyard vs Fliki: Fliki is better for faceless content. Vidyard is better when buyers need to see you.
• Vidyard vs Speechify: Speechify handles audio only. Vidyard handles the full video process end to end.
• Vidyard vs InVideo: InVideo edits marketing clips well. Vidyard tracks who watched and for how long.
• Vidyard vs Creatify: Creatify builds ad creative. Vidyard builds relationships through personal video messaging.
• Vidyard vs Captions AI: Captions AI polishes short social video. Vidyard supports the longer sales conversation.

Start Using Vidyard Now

You learned how to use every major Vidyard feature:

• ✅ AI Avatars
• ✅ Prospector
• ✅ Integrations
• ✅ Insights
• ✅ Templates
• ✅ Video Agents
• ✅ Video Messaging
• ✅ Video Hosting
• ✅ Converting & Closing

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most people start with Video Messaging.

It takes less than five minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use Vidyard?

Install the browser extension, click record, and pick Screen, Camera, or both. Stop when finished, review the preview, then copy the share link or send it by email.

What is the purpose of Vidyard?

Vidyard helps business teams record, host, and share videos while tracking who watches. The goal is turning video views into replies, meetings, and closed deals.

Why use Vidyard instead of Youtube?

Youtube shows ads and competitor recommendations beside your video. Vidyard hosts your videos on branded pages, adds CTAs and forms, and tells you exactly who watched.

How do I share a video on Vidyard?

Copy the share link, embed the player, or send it through Gmail and Outlook. You can also share videos on social channels.

How long can I record with Vidyard for free?

The free plan allows unlimited recordings up to one hour each. Longer recordings and advanced sharing options require a paid seat.