Text-to-speech (TTS) is a speech synthesis technology designed to transform written text into audible speech. Nowadays, there are lots of AI-powered text-to-speech generators that can quickly apply TTS capabilities for various projects. This versatile technology finds application in different fields, including voice-over production, audiobook creation, podcast editing, and the development of e-learning materials. Beyond its use in content creation, TTS serves as a valuable resource for individuals facing reading disabilities, visual impairments, and language barriers.
TTS systems have the capability to seamlessly generate human-like speech, making them a valuable tool for content creators seeking to narrate written material effectively. It empowers authors and content producers to bring written content to life in an engaging and accessible manner.
When considering text-to-speech tools, it’s important to explore the various options available online, each with its unique advantages and drawbacks. These tools can exhibit a range of characteristics. Some might produce speech that sounds somewhat mechanical and machine-like, while others excel at generating remarkably realistic, human-like voices that can convincingly mimic actual human speech. Therefore, it is crucial to make a discerning choice based on your specific needs and preferences when selecting a text-to-speech software.
In this article, we aim to present a detailed review of the top 10 Text-to-Speech (TTS) generators that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) technology to deliver exceptional output. Our goal is to provide valuable insights into the features, pricing structures, advantages, and limitations of each of the options. This information will assist you in making an informed choice, ensuring that you select the most suitable TTS generator for your specific needs.
Top 10 Best AI-Powered Text-to-Speech Generators
1. Bing Speech
Microsoft offers a Text-to-Speech service, Bing Speech, which leverages advanced AI techniques and deep neural networks to create a natural-sounding output that closely resembles human speech.
Bing Speech boasts an extensive language support, encompassing over 45 languages, with a selection of 100 voices, all made accessible through the utilization of SSML (Speech Synthesis Markup Language) tags.
In addition to regulating pauses between words and sentences, you have the flexibility to tailor the voice, speed, pitch, and volume to align with your specific preferences. The inclusion of SSML tags provides a heightened level of control, enabling precise adjustments to pronunciation, intonation, and expression within the generated speech. Bing Speech is adaptable to both plain text and SSML input formats.
Notably, Bing Speech offers a free option allowing users to synthesize up to 5 million characters each month. For more extensive usage, paid options are available, starting at $4 per million characters for standard voices and $16 per million characters for neural voices. Furthermore, users have the option to access a custom voice model for a monthly fee of $500.
Pros:
- High quality neural voices
- Large selection of languages and dialects
- Customizable voice parameters and SSML support
- Free tier available
Cons:
- Custom voice model is expensive
- No built-in editor or player
2. Google Cloud Text-to-Speech
Google Cloud Text-to-Speech is an advanced cloud-based service that leverages Google’s AI technology to synthesize natural and realistic speech from text. This versatile service is available in over 40 languages and offers an extensive selection of more than 220 voices. By utilizing deep generative models for raw audio waveforms, Google has enhanced its TTS capabilities, refining WaveNet voices to deliver a more engaging and lifelike auditory experience.
Compared to other TTS solutions, Google Cloud Text-to-Speech stands out for its ability to produce exceptionally human-like voices. Additionally, users can fine-tune the output by adjusting parameters such as voice, speed, pitch, volume, and the incorporation of SSML tags.
Google Cloud Text-to-Speech offers a range of pricing options. It starts with a free tier for 4 million characters per month. For those seeking more advanced features, paid plans are available, with standard voices beginning at $4 per month and WaveNet voices priced at $16 per million characters. Furthermore, users can opt for custom voice models, which are available for $200 per month.
Pros:
- State-of-the-art WaveNet voices
- Wide range of languages and variants
- Flexible voice parameters and SSML support
- Free tier available
Cons:
- Custom voice model is costly
- No built-in editor or player
3. Amazon Polly
Amazon Polly is a Text-to-Speech (TTS) solution offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that employs cutting-edge deep learning technologies. It boasts an impressive array of capabilities, featuring an extensive selection of over 60 voices available in 29 languages and dialects. To ensure a remarkably lifelike and expressive speech output, Amazon Polly harnesses the power of neural voices.
One of the standout features of Amazon Polly is its versatility. Users can fine-tune the output to suit their preferences by configuring parameters such as voice selection, speech speed, pitch, and volume. This level of customization allows you to craft speech outputs that align precisely with your specific needs.
Moreover, Amazon Polly takes speech synthesis to a new level by incorporating Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) tags. These tags enhance the naturalness of the voice output, making it sound even more realistic. SSML tags can be utilized to add nuance and expression to the text, resulting in an output that truly mimics human speech.
Pros:
- High-quality neural voices
- Variety of languages and dialects
- Adjustable voice parameters and SSML support
- Free tier available for the first year
Cons:
- Custom voice model is expensive
- No built-in editor or player
4. Lovo
For those seeking a dependable and efficient Text-to-Speech (TTS) platform, Lovo emerges as a standout choice. It empowers users to effortlessly create professional-grade voice-overs with a remarkably human-like quality in minutes.
Lovo takes pride in its impressive library of 180 voices, spanning 34 languages and a variety of accents. What sets Lovo apart from its rivals is its utilization of an AI voice interface, providing users with an extensive range of options for selecting the perfect human-like voice actors, including those inspired by well-known celebrities.
With this advanced TTS platform, you have the freedom to setup the voice output to their exact specifications. You can adjust the voice, speech speed, pitch, tone, and style. This flexibility ensures that the resulting speech aligns perfectly with the intended purpose.
In addition to its impressive voice capabilities, Lovo offers compatibility with Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) tags, which allow for further customization of the voice output.
For those exploring their options, Lovo provides a free plan with a monthly allowance of 10 minutes of speech synthesis. However, if you require unlimited speech synthesis capabilities, the platform offers paid plans, starting at $14.99 per month.
Pros:
- Professional AI voices
- Many languages and accents
- Customizable voice parameters and SSML support
- Built-in editor and player
Cons:
- Free plan is limited
- No custom voice model option
5. NaturalReader
NaturalReader offers a versatile Text-to-Speech (TTS) service that enables you to convert various types of text, including Microsoft Word documents, web pages, PDF files, and emails, into lifelike human voices. With over 200 voices available in more than 50 languages and accents, you can customize your audio output to suit your preferences.
While a free plan is available, it does come with certain limitations. To unlock advanced features like voice selection, speed adjustment, pitch modification, and volume control, it’s advisable to explore the paid subscription plans, which start at just $9.99 per month. Subscribing to a paid plan also grants you access to SSML (Speech Synthesis Markup Language) tags, allowing for more precise and refined voice output.
Pros:
- Wide-selection of voices
- Many languages and accents
- Adjustable voice parameters and SSML support
- Free version available
Cons:
- No neural or AI voices
- No custom voice model option
6. VoiceBunny (Bunny Studio)
VoiceBunny is an online marketplace that facilitates the discovery of professional voice actors adept at transforming written text into compelling voice-overs. With a roster of over 28,000 voice actors proficient in delivering voice-overs in more than 50 languages and accents, VoiceBunny provides a diverse pool of talent to choose from.
When you engage the services of voice actors through VoiceBunny, you have the capability to tailor the tone, style, emotional nuances, and delivery method to align with your specific project requirements. Moreover, for those seeking to leverage cutting-edge technology, VoiceBunny offers the ability to generate synthetic voices that closely mimic human speech patterns, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI).
VoiceBunny’s pricing structure is project-based, which means that the cost will vary based on factors such as project length, complexity, and the quality of the voice-over. On average, clients can anticipate an expenditure ranging from $10 to $1,000 for their voice-over projects.
Pros:
- Real human voice actors
- Huge selection of languages and accents
- Full control over the speech output
- AI option available
Cons:
- No free plan or trial
- Pricey compared to other TTS tools
7. Speechelo
Speechelo is a text-to-speech (TTS) software that efficiently transforms written text into high-quality human-sounding voice-overs with just three simple clicks. This versatile tool offers an extensive selection of over 60 distinct voices, spanning 23 languages and various accents.
One notable feature of Speechelo is its support for AI voices, which deliver a remarkable level of realism and expressiveness, far surpassing the synthetic voices commonly found in TTS applications. Users can fine-tune the voice characteristics, such as speed, tone, breath, pause duration, and emphasis, to ensure the output aligns with their specific needs. Additionally, Speechelo allows the utilization of SSML tags for precise customization of the synthesized speech.
For a very reasonable one-time fee of $47, users gain access to unlimited text-to-speech synthesis capabilities, along with the valuable inclusion of AI voices.
Pros:
- Impressive AI voices
- Several languages and accents
- Flexible voice parameters and SSML support
- One-time payment
Cons:
- No custom voice model option
- Lacks built-in editor or player
8. iSpeech
iSpeech is a cloud-based text-to-speech service renowned for generating high-quality speech from various textual sources. This TTS software boasts an impressive repertoire of 100 voices available across 26 languages and dialects.
iSpeech distinguishes itself by delivering human-quality voices that surpass the industry standard. The voice-overs it produces exhibit exceptional smoothness and an unparalleled level of naturalness compared to its competitors. Furthermore, users can easily customize settings such as voice, speed, pitch, and volume, allowing for a highly tailored output. In addition, using SSML tags empowers users to achieve precise control over the desired speech characteristics.
In addition to its remarkable capabilities, iSpeech offers an attractive free plan, which provides users with a monthly synthesis limit of 5,000 characters. For those seeking more extensive usage, iSpeech provides paid plans starting at $29 per month, offering unlimited speech synthesis capacity.
Pros:
- Human quality voices
- Variety of languages and dialects
- Adjustable voice parameters and SSML support
- Free plan available
Cons:
- No neural or AI voices
- No custom voice model option
9. ReadSpeaker
ReadSpeaker is a prominent Text-to-Speech (TTS) service renowned for delivering human-like voices tailored to various industries. The platform offers an extensive library of over 200 voices in more than 50 languages and dialects. What sets ReadSpeaker apart is its utilization of neural voices, which are notably advanced and offer a level of naturalness that surpasses traditional TTS options. These voices excel in conveying information in an exceptionally lifelike manner.
Users can fine-tune their TTS experience with ReadSpeaker, adjusting the voice, speech speed, pitch, and volume. Moreover, ReadSpeaker’s TTS service allows for personalization through SSML tags, enabling voice outputs to match individual preferences and needs.
Unfortunately, ReadSpeaker does not provide a free plan or trial for its services. The paid plans, which grant access to unlimited speech synthesis and the utilization of neural voices, come with a monthly rate of $49.
Pros:
- High quality neural voices
- Large number of languages and dialects
- Customizable voice parameters and SSML support
Cons:
- No free plan or trial
- No custom voice model option
- No built-in editor or player
10. Notevibes
Notevibes is an online Text-to-Speech (TTS) platform that empowers users to effortlessly generate captivating voice-overs from written text in a matter of seconds. This versatile service provides access to an impressive selection of over 170 voices, curated by some of the world’s leading developers, each proficient in various languages and accents. Notevibes integrates AI technology into the voice generation process, resulting in voices that surpass the synthetic alternatives in terms of realism and emotional expressiveness.
With Notevibes, users can fine-tune their TTS output by setting up the speech speed, pitch, and even the emotional tone of the speech. Additionally, users can customize the style and incorporate background music, enhancing the overall audio experience. The service also supports using SSML tags, ensuring users can achieve the desired output that aligns with their specific requirements.
Notevibes offers a free plan with a monthly character limit of 5,000 characters. For users seeking more extensive features, a paid subscription is available, commencing at $9 per month. This subscription provides unrestricted access to advanced speech synthesis capabilities and AI-driven voices, ensuring a seamless and enhanced text-to-speech experience.
Pros:
- Impressive AI voices
- Multiple languages and accents
- Customizable voice parameters and SSML support
- Free plan available
Cons:
- No custom voice model option
- Limited free character limit
Conclusion
Now, you have been introduced to a selection of the top 10 text-to-speech (TTS) synthesizers empowered by artificial intelligence. These tools offer many impressive features, voice alternatives, and customization options that cater to diverse needs. You may also want to check the best AI Video generators to create faceless YouTube channels here.
To determine the most suitable TTS generator for your specific project, consider critical factors such as language requirements, customization capabilities, integration capacity, and pricing. By identifying the primary requirements of your project, you can make an informed choice that ensures the generation of lifelike speech from your text.
Whether you’re looking to craft captivating voice-overs, design engaging e-learning materials, or tackle any other creative application, these Text-to-Speech (TTS) generators offer a rich array of options to suit your unique requirements. They provide a flexible solution for a wide range of professional purposes, ensuring you have the tools you need to excel in your endeavors.