Best AI text to speech tools (October 2023)

If you’ve been following tech trends lately, you’ve probably noticed the buzz around AI text-to-speech tools. These aren’t the robotic voices of yesteryears; we’re talking eerily lifelike, customizable, and diverse voice outputs. And guess what? By October 2023, there are more options on the market than ever. Feeling a bit lost in the sea of choices? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. In this article, we’re diving deep into the best of the best, making your decision a whole lot easier. So, grab a coffee and let’s get started.

Eleven Labs

4.8

Audio Quality 5 out of 5

Ease of Use 5 out of 5

Versatility of Applications 5 out of 5

Language Support 5 out of 5

Interface Design 4 out of 5

Speechify

3.4

Features 4 out of 5

Pricing Transparency 2 out of 5

Voice Quality 3 out of 5

Cross-Platform Availability 4 out of 5

Language Support 4 out of 5

Wellsaidlabs

3.6

Ease of Use 4 out of 5

Voice Quality 4 out of 5

Customization Options 3 out of 5

Price 3 out of 5

Customer Support 4 out of 5

ElevenLabs

Eleven Labs: An Overview

Eleven Labs, founded in 2022, is a game-changer in the world of AI voice transformation. Forget what you thought you knew about text-to-speech; these guys replicate the very heartbeat of human speech, capturing its many emotions and intonations. From real-time voice modifications to cloning voices, they’re reshaping the voice interaction landscape.

User Experience and Interface

Boasting an impressive user rating of 4.8 out of 5, Eleven Labs prides itself on a seamless interface and pristine audio quality. Its extensive collection of voices and accents makes it a favorite among users. And hey, even if you’re a newbie, the site’s user-friendly design ensures you’ll be up and running in no time, converting text into speech and exploring various voice features.

The Tech Behind The Magic

The secret sauce? Cutting-edge AI that gets the context and emotions behind words, producing authentic speech intonation. Covering an impressive 28 languages, they’re speaking the global language of innovation.

Pricing and Plans

Whether you’re just dabbling in voice synthesis or running a global business, Eleven Labs has a plan tailored for you. Their free plan is perfect for hobbyists, while their enterprise solutions cater to the big guns. Some highlights include the Creator Plan for those needing more narration options and the Independent Publisher Plan for authors wanting to give their books an auditory edge. Oh, and don’t miss out on their mind-blowing Professional Voice Cloning feature, although there’s a little wait time involved.

Applications Galore

From game development to audiobooks and chatbots, the applications of this tool are vast. If you’re looking to create or even replicate voices, their generative AI model is your playground. And if you’re a fan of community vibes, their Voice Library lets you share and discover voices with fellow users.

Pros and Cons

While their audio quality is top-notch and the technology groundbreaking, there are a few hiccups. You’ll need an internet connection to use it, and first-timers might need some time to find their way around. Plus, as of now, they haven’t rolled out an app. But hey, nobody’s perfect, right?

Eleven Labs

4.8

Audio Quality 5 out of 5

Ease of Use 5 out of 5

Versatility of Applications 5 out of 5

Language Support 5 out of 5

Interface Design 4 out of 5

Speechify

Speechify: A Deep Dive

Speechify, popularly known as a reading buddy for those with ADHD, dyslexia, and other reading challenges, is an advanced text-to-speech tool designed to ramp up reading efficiency. Whether you’re browsing on Chrome, chilling with your iOS or Android device, or working on your Mac, Speechify has got you covered.

What Makes Speechify Tick?

First off, the app’s features are genuinely impressive. Fancy listening to a physical book or a PDF on your commute? The OCR Reader and PDF Import functions are here to help. Users can even translate content on the fly, thanks to its built-in translator. And the big win? They claim you can potentially double your reading speed, soaring from an average of 200 wpm to a whopping 400 or more.

Pricing: The Good, The Bad, and The Muddy

Now, while Speechify’s capabilities might pique interest, its pricing strategy has raised a few eyebrows. If you’re looking for clear price tags on their website, you’re in for a surprise (and not a pleasant one). Users need to install the app or extension just to view the pricing, and then there’s the whole kerfuffle about unclear monthly or lifetime plans and potential unexpected charges during trial periods. And don’t get started on the varying prices depending on your geographical location.

Voices: Natural vs. Robotic

When it comes to voice quality, Speechify offers a mix of the good stuff and the not-so-good stuff. Users seem to be leaning towards the more natural-sounding voices, but there’s a catch: these HD voices have an annual cap. And the unlimited robotic ones? Let’s just say they might not be your first choice for an audiobook marathon.

Looking at the Competition

Enter MicMonster: a formidable challenger offering a wider voice selection, more languages, and a rather enticing price point. So, if you’re all about natural-sounding voices and additional features like voice styles, MicMonster might just be your jam.

Wrapping it Up

Speechify surely brings a lot to the table, especially for those with reading difficulties. But with certain hiccups in pricing and voice quality, and fierce competitors like MicMonster on the horizon, users might want to shop around a bit before settling down.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

The Good: Its versatile feature set, multi-platform availability, and focus on reading disabilities.

The Not-So-Good: A bit of a maze when it comes to pricing, some iffy voice quality issues, and a lack of certain functions like audio export.

Speechify

3.4

Features 4 out of 5

Pricing Transparency 2 out of 5

Voice Quality 3 out of 5

Cross-Platform Availability 4 out of 5

Language Support 4 out of 5

Well Said

WellSaid Labs: The Future of AI Voiceovers?

Ever struggled to differentiate between human and AI voices? Well, WellSaid Labs is blurring that line, offering unbelievably real AI voices that might just make you question reality.

WellSaid Labs at a Glance

Founded in 2018 by Matt Hocking and Michael Petrochuk, WellSaid Labs is changing the voiceover game. With a library of 50 genuine-sounding AI voices and precision speech editing capabilities, they are pushing boundaries in audio quality. In fact, distinguishing their voices from actual human speech could be a challenge!

How Can You Use WellSaid Labs?

Be it for training modules, advertisement reels, or video production, WellSaid Labs has applications spanning multiple sectors. Want to change the voice pace or add dramatic pauses? No worries. WellSaid’s platform provides customization down to word pronunciation. Collaboration is a breeze, too, with colleagues or clients pitching in to ensure that voiceover perfection is achieved. And, once done, you can export as an MP3 for easy integration!

Why Choose WellSaid Labs?

Companies, including big names like FedEx and Intel, vouch for the platform’s efficiency. Some users even reported a whopping 25% reduction in production costs and halving their production time. With 24/7 access to AI voices and a Pronunciation Library to finesse the output, what’s not to love? Added to that, data security is tight with SOC2 certification in place.

The Nuts and Bolts of Using WellSaid Labs

Getting started is pretty straightforward: sign up, customize your script, and work magic on voiceover nuances like pronunciation, volume, and speed. Though the week-long free trial doesn’t let you download voiceovers, it’s an ample peek into what’s on offer. For devs out there, there’s an API up for grabs to weave AI voiceovers into your apps, further enriching user experience.

Review Highlights

Pros: Top-notch AI voices, user-friendly interface, voiceover customization perks, pronunciation editing, and rock-solid data security.

Cons: Lacks specialized scriptwriting tools, no AI avatars or video editing, voiceover downloads tied to paid plans, language support pegged to the Enterprise plan, and pricing on the steeper side compared to competitors.

In conclusion, WellSaid Labs is undoubtedly making waves in the AI voiceover space. But like all tech, it comes with its set of pluses and minuses. Whether it’s the right fit for you boils down to your specific needs and budget.

Wellsaidlabs

3.6

Ease of Use 4 out of 5

Voice Quality 4 out of 5

Customization Options 3 out of 5

Price 3 out of 5

Customer Support 4 out of 5

PlayHT

Play.ht: Bringing Text-to-Speech to Life

Imagine a tool that converts your text into such realistic speech that it feels like a human reading out loud. That’s exactly what Play.ht promises.

Intro to Play.ht

Play.ht, a cloud-based gem, breathes life into text with striking accuracy. Designed for both personal and business use, this tool is your passport to transforming text into alluring audio in various languages, making communication a breeze.

Quality? Top-Notch!

With the backing of tech bigwigs like IBM, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, Play.ht doesn’t compromise on quality. Relying on state-of-the-art machine learning, it ensures the audio outcome maintains the essence of the original text, irrespective of whether it’s in English, Mandarin, or Russian, to name a few.

Features Galore

A library teeming with over 570 AI voices across 60+ languages, Play.ht offers you unparalleled choices. Fancy switching voices? Easy. Need broadcasting rights for an ad? Done. With features like emotional speech styles, pronunciation tweaks, and voice tone adjustments, it’s all about giving you control. And guess what? All this tech goodness is packed in a user-centric interface.

Helping Hand for Dyslexics

Reading isn’t easy for everyone. Especially for those grappling with learning disabilities like dyslexia. Play.ht stands as a beacon of hope, offering them an alternative to traditional reading. Plus, with its multilingual capabilities, there’s no need for a horde of translators.

What’s the Damage?

Play.ht’s tiered pricing ensures there’s a plan for every pocket, from personal to enterprise-level needs. While the free trial lets you dip your toes, remember the juicier features, like neural text-to-speech, come with the pricier plans starting at $29.95/month. Oh, and refunds? That’s a no-go zone here.

Pros vs Cons

Thumbs Up: Varied voice options, commercial rights, stellar customization, great for those with learning disabilities, and a free trial to boot.

Thumbs Down: The fancier features come at a cost, integration could be amped up, no-refund policy, and the free trial, though generous, has its limits.

Final scoop? Play.ht’s prowess in text-to-speech is undeniable. But, as always, it’s wise to weigh the pros against the cons and align them with your needs and budget.

Play.ht

4.4

Functionality 4 out of 5

Ease of use 4 out of 5

Pricing 4 out of 5

Voice Quality/Realism 5 out of 5

Customization 5 out of 5

Murf AI

Murf AI Review: A New Era of Text-to-Speech Technology

Overview

Want top-tier voiceovers for your multimedia presentations, audiobooks, or podcasts? Murf AI might be your go-to solution. Gaining traction in the digital realm, Murf AI promises realistic AI-generated voiceovers that can breathe life into your content.

Key Features

Extensive Voice Library: Boasting over 120 professional voices across 20 languages, Murf AI ensures diversity and quality in its output.
User-Friendly: Even for voiceover newbies, the intuitive design of Murf AI makes the process a breeze.
Advanced Voice Generator: At its core is an AI-driven generator, capable of transforming text into professional-sounding voiceovers. And guess what? Many voices are crafted by actual voice actors!
Murf Studio: A hub for all your projects, allowing easy edits and project management.
Customization Galore: Adjust pitch, volume, speed, and even train the software for specific pronunciations. Your voiceover, your way.
Grammar Assistant: No more fretting over grammar mistakes; Murf AI has got you covered.

Who Stands to Benefit?

Educators: With e-learning gaining momentum, Murf AI serves as a reliable tool for crafting engaging auditory content.
Content Creators: If being vocal isn’t your forte, let Murf AI do the talking, ensuring quality voiceovers for your visual masterpieces.
Businesses and Marketing Agencies: Ditch the expenses of hiring voice actors. Murf AI offers a cost-effective yet premium voiceover solution for your marketing endeavors.

Pricing

From freelancers to enterprises, Murf AI has a plan for all:

Free Plan: A taste of Murf AI, albeit with limitations like a 10-minute voice generation cap.
Basic Plan: At $19/month (annual billing), content creators get access to 60 voiceovers, support in 10 languages, and a massive library of licensed soundtracks, among other features.
Pro Plan: For $26/month (annual billing), users enjoy all AI voices, support for 20+ languages, and commercial usage rights, to name a few perks.
Enterprise Plan: Tailored for businesses with heavy voiceover needs, this plan costs $59/user/month when billed annually.

Pros and Cons

Good Stuff

Complimentary trial to get a feel of the tool.
Superior AI voice generation for a professional touch.
Cost-effective, especially when stacked against competitors.
Emphasizes data protection with features like two-factor authentication.
Video and voiceover synchronization capabilities for an immersive experience.

Room for Improvement

The free plan might leave you yearning for more with its restricted features.
The basic plan’s pricing might not align with the needs of occasional voiceover users.

Final Words

In the realm of text-to-speech tech, Murf AI emerges as a formidable contender. Whether you’re a content producer, educator, or business magnate, Murf AI’s arsenal of voices and customization features ensure top-notch voiceovers. Fancy giving Murf AI a whirl? It might just redefine your voiceover game!

Rating: Great (4/5)