Top 10 Text-to-Speech Software: Use Cases & Features
In 2024, the global text-to-speech (TTS) market was valued at $3.5 billion. It is expected to reach $28.52 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30%.1 This projected growth highlights the increasing role of artificial intelligence in advancing TTS technology.
As AI capabilities evolve, TTS systems are becoming more adept at producing natural, human-like speech. Explore the top 10 text-to-speech software, alongside their key and differentiating features, common use cases, and challenges to look out for when adopting TTS technology.
Top 10 text-to-speech software comparison
The table is sorted based on number of reviews except our sponsors listed on top.
*Azure AI Text-to-Speech pricing is calculated as:
- Free tier text-to-speech software (neural voices): 0.5 million free characters per month.
- Neural: $15 per 1 million characters.
- Custom neural (professional voice): $24–$48 per 1 million characters, plus training and hosting fees.
**Google Cloud text-to-speech charges are based on the number of characters converted to audio each month.
- After free tier: Charges apply per 1 million characters of text processed.
Free tier:
- The first 1 million characters are free when using WaveNet voices.
- The first 4 million characters are free when using Standard voices.
***The price depends on the type of Amazon Polly voice you use:
- Generative voices: $30 per 1 million characters
- Standard voices: $4 per 1 million characters
- Neural voices: $16 per 1 million characters
- Long-Form voices: $100 per 1 million characters
****IBM Watson text-to-speech:
- Free plan includes 10,000 characters per month
- Standard plan is priced at $0.02 per 1,000 characters.
Text-to-speech software key feature comparison
Differentiated feature comparison
See definitions for the common and differentiated features.
Text-to-speech software analyzed
1. Murf AI
Murf AI is a comprehensive voice technology platform that offers text-to-speech, enterprise-grade voice cloning, AI dubbing in over 30 languages, multilingual translation, and a voice changer with more than 200 options.
Its tools include the Murf API for application integration, the Murf Voices Installer for Windows systems, and Murf Studio, an AI voice generator.
Figure 1: Murf AI’s text-to-speech dashboard example.
Pros
From the outset, its subscribers found the platform easy to use. Reviewers are content with the number of voices available for use in the voice library.
Cons
The voice is found to be lacking in human resemblance. Especially, several user reviews remark on the issue that pronunciation may take time to improve.
2. Synthesia
Synthesia offers a cloud-based platform that enables businesses to create, manage, and distribute realistic synthetic data for various applications, including AI avatars, AI video generation, and AI dubbing for videos.
Pros
The platform is found to be easy to use by reviewers. Its support for multiple languages with natural accents is praised. Customer support is found to be effective with supplementary tutorial videos.
Cons
Some reviewers find the voice customization feature to be lacking in terms of prompts on specific words, pronunciations, and pace. Other reviewers criticized the rendering for taking time.
3. Descript
Descript offers audio and video editing software that utilizes natural language processing to transcribe, edit, and manipulate multimedia content.
Pros
Easy-to-use settings in transcription and script editing are praised by most of the reviewers.
Cons
Most of the reviewers are discontent with the frequent updates. A small group of reviewers states that parallel to the complexity of the editing, the program lags and uploading takes time.
4. Fliki
Fliki offers media creation and editing tools for audio and video. The company offers text-to-video, AI voiceover, AI video generation, an avatar library, and voice cloning.
Pros
Reviewers claim the platform is easy to use with inbuilt multiple features. TTS tools are satisfactory, and template voices are easy to adjust without losing quality.
Cons
Pricing plans are found to be limited in options, meaning, reviewers complain they are asked for high prices that offer an extensive range of features.
5. Google Cloud Text-to-Speech
Google offers several AI-integrated software tools in the text-to-speech (TTS) domain, including Google Cloud Text-to-Speech, Google Assistant, Google Translate, and Google Speech-to-Text.
Pros
The availability of multiple languages and dialects is one of the features users appreciate.
Cons
The service is only offered online, and multiple users find it challenging.
Key features explained
Naturalness and voice quality
High-quality text-to-speech software aims to produce human-like speech with accurate prosody and intonation. Minimizing robotic tones is crucial for effective communication in educational, media, and professional contexts.
Voice variety and styles
Modern systems offer multiple voice options and delivery styles, including conversational and formal styles. This variety allows content to be tailored for different audiences and use cases.
Customization controls
Users can adjust speed, pitch, tone, and volume, as well as insert pauses. Such controls enhance delivery and enable audio output to adapt to specific settings, ranging from formal presentations to casual listening.
Pronunciation and context sensitivity
Advanced systems account for context to resolve ambiguous words and phrases. Phoneme dictionaries and customizable rules further enhance pronunciation accuracy.
Text normalization
Numbers, dates, abbreviations, and symbols are converted into natural speech. Proper normalization prevents awkward readings and improves listener comprehension.
Exporting and output options
Most software supports saving audio in formats such as MP3 or WAV. Batch processing and real-time streaming are often available to meet both personal and business needs.
Offline or on-device capability
Offline functionality enables speech generation without internet access. This is particularly important for maintaining privacy, supporting low-latency use, and environments with limited connectivity.
Voice cloning and custom voices
Some solutions offer custom voice creation based on speaker samples. This enables personalized experiences but also requires careful consideration of ethical and licensing issues.
Accessibility features
Integration with screen readers, text highlighting, and support for assistive technologies ensure accessibility for users with disabilities. These features are critical for creating inclusive digital environments.
Differentiated features explained
Text-to-speech tools often distinguish themselves through a set of advanced features that extend beyond basic speech synthesis. These features highlight how providers address specific use cases in education, business, media, and accessibility.
Number of languages
The range of supported languages reflects the solution’s adaptability for global users. A larger language library provides a broader reach, making the software suitable for international businesses, universities, and personal use across diverse linguistic contexts.
Voiceover (VO) translation
Voiceover translation enables users to input text or a recorded voice and generate output in a selected language. This feature is crucial in video production, where speech synthesis can replace or supplement the original narration, facilitating multilingual communication.
Video editor
Some providers integrate video editing and creation capabilities into their platforms. This allows subscribers to edit or produce videos while adding speech-based voiceovers directly, eliminating the need for third-party editing tools. The combination of video creation and speech synthesis supports faster content production.
Dubbing
Dubbing extends beyond basic translation by synchronizing the generated audio with the original video’s pacing, expressions, and visual cues. Providers offering this feature ensure that speech pauses, tone, and mouth movements are carefully synchronized, resulting in natural and localized viewing experiences.
Audio editor
An audio editor provides tools for refining synthesized or recorded audio. Adjustments, such as modifying volume, inserting pauses, or applying filters, allow users to achieve professional sound quality without the need for external editing programs.
Subtitles and transcription
In addition to speech synthesis, many providers offer speech recognition features that enable the creation of subtitles or transcriptions. This functionality is the reverse of text-to-speech and is valuable for making content accessible, supporting research, and producing multilingual versions of documents or videos.
Integration and APIs
APIs and SDKs allow speech capabilities to be embedded into applications, websites, and enterprise systems. This integration supports services like chatbots and automated phone systems.
Text-to-speech software use cases
Accessibility and assistive technology
Text-to-speech software plays a crucial role in enhancing accessibility. Individuals with visual impairments or reading disabilities often rely on speech software to access written text in digital formats such as documents, web pages, or PDF files.
By converting text into audible speech, these tools allow users to engage with information that would otherwise be inaccessible. Screen readers and text readers are widely used to read aloud text on websites, research articles, and educational content.
For people with dyslexia or related conditions, hearing content instead of reading helps them focus on meaning rather than struggling with words on a page. Text-to-speech also provides a voice for individuals who have lost their ability to speak.
In such cases, custom voices built from recordings can restore a sense of personal identity and independence.
Education and e-learning
Students often benefit from listening to written text, especially when studying dense academic materials or preparing for exams. Listening can enhance comprehension, reduce fatigue, and enable students to review material while engaging in other activities.
Educational institutions frequently use text readers in e-learning environments, where audio versions of lesson materials help create accessible content for diverse learners. In language learning, the ability to listen to content in multiple languages supports correct pronunciation, rhythm, and tone.
Audio files generated by speech software can be saved and played repeatedly, offering additional features for revision. This allows students at universities and schools to access both text and speech formats, accommodating different learning preferences.
Content creation and media
Content creators are increasingly relying on text-to-speech tools to generate voiceovers for videos, podcasts, advertisements, and training materials. Converting text into audio files allows creators to present information in multiple formats, expanding their reach to audiences who prefer listening over reading.
Authors and publishers also use speech software to convert stories and research into audio versions. This provides accessible content for users who prefer to listen on personal devices while traveling or multitasking.
By utilizing software capable of producing high-quality voices, creators can ensure that their output meets professional standards. Audio formats generated by these tools are compatible with common devices, which makes them practical for both personal use and business purposes.
Customer service and business communication
Businesses utilize text-to-speech software in customer service systems, including automated phone menus, chatbots, and digital assistants. These applications rely on speech to present information clearly and consistently across multiple languages and communication channels. By creating audio from written documents and announcements, companies can ensure that their communication is both efficient and accessible.
Internal business communication also benefits from the ability to convert reports, newsletters, and training materials into audio. Employees can listen to content while managing other tasks, which improves productivity.
Embedded devices and daily use
Text-to-speech technology is now integrated into many everyday devices. Navigation systems in vehicles read aloud directions to drivers, while smart assistants in homes or offices use speech to present reminders and information. Browser extensions and applications can read aloud web pages or documents directly from the screen, enabling users to listen to content while performing other activities.
Individuals also use speech software to convert personal documents, research materials, and study materials into audio files that can be saved and played back on phones, laptops, or other devices later.
Challenges in adopting text-to-speech
Despite the wide range of applications, several challenges limit the effectiveness of text-to-speech systems.
User awareness: Many users are not fully aware of the additional features that text-to-speech tools provide, such as saving audio, adjusting tone or speed, or creating custom voices. This lack of awareness can prevent users from fully leveraging the available technology.
Naturalness of speech: Producing speech that conveys human-like emotion, rhythm, and tone remains difficult. Users often expect audio that not only delivers words but also expresses awareness of context and emotion.
Accuracy of pronunciation: Words, characters, and abbreviations can be mispronounced, especially when converting text across different languages or formats. This can reduce comprehension and quality for international users.
Format compatibility: While most tools support common audio formats, difficulties may arise when converting complex files that include images, music, or interactive content.
Performance speed: In real-time applications, such as customer support or live presentations, speech software must generate audio quickly without compromising quality.
Cost and availability: While some programs are available for free, software offering the highest quality voices and advanced features is often available only in paid versions, limiting accessibility for students and individuals using these tools for personal use.
Further reading
Cem's work has been cited by leading global publications including Business Insider, Forbes, Washington Post, global firms like Deloitte, HPE and NGOs like World Economic Forum and supranational organizations like European Commission. You can see more reputable companies and resources that referenced AIMultiple.
Throughout his career, Cem served as a tech consultant, tech buyer and tech entrepreneur. He advised enterprises on their technology decisions at McKinsey & Company and Altman Solon for more than a decade. He also published a McKinsey report on digitalization.
He led technology strategy and procurement of a telco while reporting to the CEO. He has also led commercial growth of deep tech company Hypatos that reached a 7 digit annual recurring revenue and a 9 digit valuation from 0 within 2 years. Cem's work in Hypatos was covered by leading technology publications like TechCrunch and Business Insider.
Cem regularly speaks at international technology conferences. He graduated from Bogazici University as a computer engineer and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.
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