The Ultimate List of AI Voice Generators: Top 10 Text-to-Speech Solutions

AI voice generators are making waves across various industries! These sophisticated tools use artificial intelligence to produce customizable voices that are remarkably human-like. Ideal for applications ranging from voice-overs to AI-driven chatbots, these generators offer versatile solutions for your audio needs.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the leading AI voice generators available today. We’ll uncover how they are transforming the landscape of voice technology, allowing for seamless creation of nearly indistinguishable human voices. Excited to learn more? Let’s get started!

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What is an AI voice generator?

An AI voice generator, also known as a text-to-speech (TTS) system or a speech synthesis system, is a technology that converts written text into spoken language.

These systems use artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to analyze and generate human-like speech. They can mimic the tone, pitch, and inflections of a human voice, making the generated speech sound natural and expressive.

Why use AI voice generators?

AI voice generators are super versatile. Here’s why you might want to use one:

1. Accessibility: They make life easier for folks with visual impairments or reading difficulties by turning text into speech.
   
2. Content Creation: Perfect for automating narration in videos, audiobooks, podcasts, and more.
   
3. Virtual Assistants: They give voices to Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and make them sound more natural.
   
4. Customer Service: Companies use them in IVR systems to handle customer queries and provide automated replies.
   
5. Language Translation: They can convert written text from one language to spoken text in another, making it easier to communicate across languages.
   
6. Gaming and Entertainment: They bring video game characters and stories to life with realistic voices.
   
7. Assistive Technology: Used in devices that help people with speech disabilities communicate more effectively.

These systems have evolved significantly in recent years, thanks to advancements in neural network models, such as GPT-3 and GPT-4, which can produce highly realistic and expressive synthetic voices. AI voice generators are widely available through APIs and software development kits (SDKs), allowing developers to integrate them into various applications and services.

10 most popular AI voice generators available today

In no particular order, let’s take a look at 10 different AI voice generators.

1. Speechify

Speechify is a sophisticated voice-over generator tailored for businesses that need high-quality spoken audio for their marketing content.

Utilizing advanced artificial intelligence, Speechify converts written text into dynamic and engaging voice-overs. This platform is especially beneficial for creating audio content for videos, presentations, and advertisements.

Speechify helps businesses enhance their multimedia projects by providing a range of voices that can be customized to fit the tone and brand identity of different types of marketing materials.

How to Use Speechify

1. Sign Up and Install: First, sign up for an account on the Speechify website or download the app from your device’s app store.
   
2. Choose Input: You can input text into Speechify by typing, copying and pasting text, or uploading documents.
   
3. Select Voice and Language: Choose from a variety of voices and languages to personalize the listening experience.
   
4. Adjust Settings: Modify the reading speed, tone, and other settings to match your listening preferences.
   
5. Listen: Hit play to start listening to your text. You can pause, resume, and navigate through the text easily.

Pros of Speechify

• Variety of Voices: Offers a wide range of high-quality voices in different languages.
• Accessibility Features: Enhances reading accessibility for users with dyslexia or other reading difficulties.
• Multi-Platform Support: Available on iOS, Android, and as a Chrome extension.
• User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all ages and tech-savviness.

Cons of Speechify

• Limited Free Version: The free version has limited features and usage, which might necessitate an upgrade to a paid plan for extensive use.
• Internet Dependency: Requires an internet connection to access some features and functionalities.
• Voice Naturalness: While the voices are high-quality, some users may find them less natural-sounding compared to real human speech.

Pricing

• Free Version: Limited access to voices and features.
• Monthly Subscription: Starting from $69/month.
• Enterprise Plans: Available on application.

2. Lyrebird

Lyrebird is an AI voice generator that uses deep learning algorithms to create realistic, natural-sounding voices. With Lyrebird, users can create custom voices that can be used for a wide range of applications, including voice-overs, audiobooks, and virtual assistants.

Lyrebird’s voice generator can also be integrated into other applications and devices, making it a versatile tool for developers. The only downside is that right now it appears there are only American accents available.

How to use Lyrebird

• Create your free account 
• Download the program (Descript) onto your Mac or Windows 
• Sign in 
• You have a limit of 1001 words with the free plan 
• You can upload your own voice file or use one of their stock voices
• Once you are happy with the voice you can download the audio file

Pros of Lyrebird AI voice generator:

• Realistic and natural voices
• Versatility in generating voices in different languages and accents
• Time and cost savings in voice production
• Accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with speech impairments or disabilities

Cons of Lyrebird AI voice generator:

• American accents only
• Lack of emotional depth compared to human voice actors

Pricing

• Free plan is available
• Pricing starts at $12.00 a month

Availability

To use Lyrebird, you need to download the Descript program (free download) onto your Mac or Windows computer.

3. Replica Studios

Replica Studios is an AI voice generator that allows users to create custom voices for use in video games, animation, and other media.

With Replica Studios, users can create unique voices that match specific characters or personalities. The tool uses machine learning algorithms to generate natural-sounding voices that can be customized with different accents, emotions, and speech patterns.

How to use Replica

• Create a free account 
• Download the program onto your Mac or Windows 
• Sign in 
• Explore the AI voices library
• Go to sandbox,
• Choose a voice
• Add lines of dialog and decide how you want the actor to deliver the line 
• Once you are happy with the voice you can download the audio file

Pros of Replica Studios:

• High-quality audio production
• Diverse voice options
• Customization and flexibility
• Time and cost savings

Cons of Replica Studios:

• Dependence on external service

Pricing

• Free plan is available
• Pricing starts at $36.00 a month (includes commercial licensing)

Availability

To use Replica, you need to download the program (free download) onto your Mac or Windows computer.

4. PlayHT

PlayHT is an AI voice generator that can actually clone your own voice which is pretty cool! With PlayHT, users can upload a recording of their own voice or choose from a variety of voices in multiple languages and customize the voice’s speed, pitch, and volume.

The tool also supports the creation of custom voices, allowing developers to create unique voices for use in their applications. You can 2500 free words with their free plan.

How to use PlayHT

1. Create a free account 
2. Upload 30 seconds of audio to clone your voice
3. Write the text for what you want to say 
4. Download the file – its pretty good!

Pros of PlayHT:

• Wide availability
• Multilingual support
• Natural-sounding voices
• Voice Clone options

Cons of PlayHT:

• On the more expensive side

Pricing

• Free plan is available
• Pricing starts at $31.20 a month

Availability

To use PlayHT, simply sign into your account through their website.

5. Murf.ai

Murf.ai is an AI voice generator that also converts text into lifelike speech. With Murf, users can choose from a wide variety of different voices, including many different accents and languages.

The tool also supports the creation of custom voices, allowing users to create unique voices that match specific characters or personalities.

How to use Murf.ai

• Create a free account 
• Choose a voice (lots to choose from) 
• Enter your text
• When you are happy with it download the file

Pros of Murf.ai:

• High-quality voices
• Multilingual support
• Customization options
• Integration and scalability

Cons of Murf.ai:

• Pricing structure

Pricing

• Free plan is available
• Pricing starts at $31.20 a month

Availability

To use Murf.ai, simply sign into your account through their website.

6. Descript Overdub

Descript Overdub is great for creating realistic voice-overs and editing spoken content with ease.

How to Use Descript Overdub

To start using Descript Overdub, first, you need to create an account with Descript. Once you’re logged in, you can create a new project and upload the audio file you want to edit.

Overdub allows you to type directly into the transcript, and it will automatically generate the corresponding audio in the voice style you’ve selected.

You can also create a digital clone of your voice by recording several scripted audio samples provided by Descript, which then allows you to generate new audio content in your own voice.

 Pros of Descript Overdub

• Produces very natural-sounding audio which can mimic specific voices closely
  
• Integrates easily with Descript’s audio editing tools, allowing for smooth corrections and enhancements
  
• Great for making quick changes to a podcast or video narration without re-recording the original audio

Cons of Descript Overdub

• The ability to clone voices raises ethical concerns regarding consent and misuse
  
• While high quality, the synthetic voices often lack the emotional depth of natural speech, which might be noticeable in more dynamic narrations
  
• Initially, voice cloning capabilities are only available through an application process, which might restrict immediate access

Pricing

Descript Overdub is part of the Descript subscription service, which offers several tiers:

• Free Plan: Limited features, but includes basic editing tools.
  
• Creator Plan: Priced at approximately $12 per month, includes advanced features like Overdub.
  
• Pro Plan: Costs around $24 per month, this plan is best for professionals who need more in-depth tools and capabilities.

Prices may vary slightly based on current promotions or updates to Descript’s pricing model.

Availability

Descript Overdub is available globally as long as you have internet access and a compatible computer system. The software is primarily cloud-based, which means it can be accessed from anywhere through Descript’s desktop application.

7. Google Text-to-Speech (Google TTS)

Google TTS is a part of the Google Cloud platform and offers high-quality, natural-sounding voice generation.

The voice quality are really refined and great. You can control, and change the speed as needed. One of the major advantages is that it’s available in so many languages. Because Google’s ecosystem is huge this app can be seamlessly integrated anywhere.

How to use Google Text-to-Speech

• You can integrate Google TTS into your applications using the Google Cloud Text-to-Speech API.

Pros

• High-quality voices
• Extensive language support
• Integration with other Google services
• Customizable voice parameters

Cons

• May be cost-prohibitive for heavy usage
• Requires coding skills to integrate

Pricing

Google TTS pricing varies based on usage. There is a free tier with limited usage, and paid plans are based on the number of characters processed.

8. Amazon Polly

Amazon Polly is Amazon Web Services’ TTS service, known for its lifelike speech synthesis and wide language support.

This platform feels more user-friendly and engaging. While Polly offers a range of voices and languages, deeper customization of voice characteristics or creating entirely unique voices isn’t as straightforward. 

For extensive use, especially for larger projects or businesses, the costs can accumulate, making it a substantial expenditure.

How to Use 

Developers can access Amazon Polly through the AWS Management Console or API calls.

Pros 

• High-quality voices 
• Multilingual support 
• Easy integration with AWS services 
• Customizable voice styles

Cons

• Steep learning curve 
• High cost concerns for large-scale usage

Pricing 

Amazon Polly has a pay-as-you-go pricing model based on the number of characters converted, with a free tier for limited use.

9. IBM Watson Text to Speech

IBM Watson Text to Speech offers cloud-based TTS capabilities with various customization options.

This platform is very user-friendly and intuitive making it a great choice for the everyday person who doesn’t have a lot of experience with AI. 

How to Use

You can access Watson Text to Speech through the IBM Cloud platform or API.

Pros 

• Customizable voice styles 
• Natural-sounding voices 
• Integration with IBM’s broader AI and cloud services

Cons 

• Best suited for those already using IBM Cloud

Pricing 

IBM Watson Text to Speech has a pay-as-you-go pricing model based on the number of characters converted, with a limited free tier.

10. Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services – Text to Speech

Microsoft’s Azure Cognitive Services offer a Text to Speech API that provides realistic voice synthesis.

The good thing about this program is that it doesn’t require an internet connection and can be run and stored locally. That being said, the pricing is costly.

How to Use 

Developers can access this service through the Azure portal or API calls.

Pros

• Natural voices
• Well-integrated with Azure services
• Support for multiple languages 
• Customizable voice parameters

Cons 

• More beneficial if you’re already using Azure services

Pricing 

Azure Text to Speech has a pay-as-you-go pricing model based on the number of characters processed, with a free tier for limited use.

Final Thoughts

AI voice generators are shaking up industries left and right! These amazing tools use advanced AI to create voices that sound just like real humans. From voice-overs to chatbots, they offer versatile solutions for all your audio needs.

In this guide, we dived into some of the top AI voice generators out there. We saw how they’re revolutionizing voice tech, making it easy to produce almost indistinguishable human voices.

Whether you’re creating content, improving accessibility, or developing virtual assistants, these tools can handle it all. Plus, with features like language translation, gaming applications, and assistive technology, the possibilities are endless.

We also touched on the various options available, highlighting the pros, cons, and pricing of each AI voice generator. Now, you have a comprehensive understanding of how these tools work and which ones might be the best fit for your projects.

Ready to put this tech to work? Dive in and start exploring the endless opportunities AI voice generators can offer. Excited to see what you can create? Let’s get started!

FAQs about AI voice generators

What is the best AI voice generator?

Based on my findings, the best AI voice generator is PlayHT. The voice clone option is scarily good. Check it out!

Are there any free AI voice generators?

Every AI voice generator mentioned in this article has a free plan available but you will need to upgrade to access more customisation features.

How do AI voice generators work?

AI voice generators use deep learning models, particularly techniques like text-to-speech (TTS) synthesis, which analyze and generate speech based on textual input, phonemes, and linguistic rules.

What are the practical applications of AI voice generators?

AI voice generators are used in various applications, including virtual assistants (like Siri or Alexa), accessibility tools for people with disabilities, voiceovers for videos and commercials, customer service chatbots, and more.

Are AI voice generators capable of mimicking specific voices, like celebrities?

Some AI voice generators can mimic specific voices, but this often requires a substantial amount of training data from the targeted individual. It may also raise ethical and legal concerns, such as privacy and copyright issues.

What are the challenges with AI voice generators?

Challenges include generating truly natural-sounding speech, handling emotional nuances, avoiding biases in generated content, and ensuring privacy and security when using AI voices.

Can AI voice generators be customized?

Yes, many AI voice generators allow customization of pitch, speed, tone, and other characteristics to suit specific needs and preferences.

Are there any ethical concerns with AI voice generators?

Yes, there are ethical concerns related to impersonation, misuse, and potential harm caused by AI-generated voices. It’s important to use AI voice technology responsibly and transparently.

What are the differences between open-source and commercial AI voice generators?

Open-source AI voice generators are often freely available but may have limitations in terms of voice quality and customization. Commercial solutions offer more advanced features, support, and higher-quality voices but come with a cost.

Are there any privacy concerns when using AI voice generators?

Yes, there can be privacy concerns, especially when using AI voices for personal data or sensitive content. Users should be cautious about sharing personal information through AI-generated voices.

What is the future of AI voice generators?

The future of AI voice generators is likely to involve even more realistic and adaptable voices, improved emotional expressiveness, better handling of multiple languages and dialects, and increased integration into various industries and devices.

How can I get started with AI voice generation?

You can get started with AI voice generation by exploring available tools and platforms, many of which offer user-friendly interfaces and documentation to help you generate voices for your specific needs.

Are AI-generated voices replacing human voice actors entirely?

AI-generated voices are becoming more common, especially for certain applications like IVR systems and automated customer service, but human voice actors still play a crucial role in many areas, particularly in entertainment and narration where a personal touch and emotional expression are essential.

Wrapping it up

AI voice generators have become increasingly popular this year, allowing users to create custom voices for a wide range of applications.

The tools we talked about are some of the coolest ones out there today. They keep getting better and better as AI tech gets smarter. With more people wanting these AI voice generators, we’re bound to see even cooler features and new tools popping up soon!

So, keep an eye out! The future of AI voice tech looks really exciting, and it’s going to bring some amazing stuff our way.