Are synthetic brushes as good as badger

I am still trying to decide if I want to get a badger shaving brush. While the price is the main consideration here, not being the cause of an animals suffering is the other. So, questions are:
1. Are there synthetic brushes feel and quality on par or better than badger brushes? If there are which one?

2. Does animals really have to die to produce a brush?

Btw boar brushes are out for me for personal reasons.