10 Effective Text-to-Speech APIs for Developers

An app's user interface significantly affects its success; incorporating accessibility tools can boost its ratings. Text-to-speech offers an innovative solution for developers to convert written text in apps into natural-sounding speech. Infusing artificial intelligence and audio technology has created multiple text-to-speech API tools with various features.

By choosing the right TTS tool, developers can enhance the features of their applications. This article lists the ten best TTS API tools for developers. These APIs can accurately convert written text into natural, expressive speech.

What is Text-to-Speech API?

A Text-to-Speech API allows developers to add text-to-speech features to their applications, websites, or other software. It converts written text into spoken words, enabling apps to generate human-like speech output. Developers can use TTS APIs to enhance accessibility and create voice-based apps. Typically, TTS APIs accept text input in formats such as plain text or SSML - Speech Synthesis Markup Language. Then, it creates audio files or streams containing the audio. Some TTS APIs offer customization options, allowing developers to adjust parameters like voice pitch, speed, or accent.

Best 10 Text-to-Speech APIs We Highly Recommended

Text-to-speech APIs offer features to incorporate TTS features into apps and enhance accessibility. Here are the top ten text-to-speech APIs for developers. 🪄We have a little surprise at the end of the article to help you choose quickly.

• Google Cloud
• OpenAI
• Amazon Polly
• Microsoft Azure
• IBM Watson Text-to-Speech
• Speechify
• Play.Ht
• Descript
• Murf AI
• Synthesia.io

Google Cloud

Google Cloud is a robust Text-to-Speech API using DeepMind's speech synthesis technology and creates near-human quality speech. With a selection of 380+ voices across 50+ languages and variants, users can find the perfect voice for their needs. Users can fine-tune voice models, adjust pitch and speaking rate, and use SSML tags for speech customization.

The API integrates seamlessly with other Google Cloud services like Dialogflow and Translations API. The pricing includes options varying from $4 to $16 per 1 million bytes. It has a high latency from 500 ms to 22000 ms.

🌟Features:

• 380+ voices in 50+ languages.
• Built on DeepMind's expertise for high-quality voices.
• Multilingual support and advanced neural network technology.
• Versatile speech customization (pitch, rate, volume).
• Seamless integration with Google Cloud services.

OpenAI

OpenAI's Text-to-Speech API helps developers to transcribe audio files into human-like speech in English. The API has an advanced Whisper model offering transcription services, voice assistants, and voice-controlled applications. The customization and optimization options make it a powerful tool for AI and natural language processing. Its pricing plans range from $0.006 to 0.030 for 1K characters.

OpenAI has six built-in voices in multiple languages. Additionally, OpenAI is trying to introduce ChatGPT text-to-speech for innovative text-to-speech applications. It creates low-latency audio with good quality.

🌟Features:

• Customization options for pitch and rate.
• Versatile integration with programming languages.
• Seamless integration with GPT-3 and GPT-4.
• Supports flexible audio formats such as MP3, FLAC, AAC, and OPUS.

Amazon Polly

Amazon Polly is a service provided by Amazon Web Services. It is a sophisticated Text-to-Speech API with a variety of functions for a variety of applications. Deep learning technologies and powerful AI algorithms are used to generate high-quality sounds. It can accommodate 96 voices in 34 languages and dialects. It is appropriate for IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems.

Amazon Polly text-to-speech provides for fine-tuning via SSML tags, allowing developers to tailor the output to specific needs. It has two pricing plans: Standard voices cost $4 per million characters, and Neural voices cost $16 per million.

🌟Features:

• Creates Lifelike, natural-sounding voices.
• Deep learning technology for continuous improvement.
• Supports multiple output formats.
• Fast response times for real-time applications.
• Versatile language support for diverse applications.

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is a powerful Text-to-speech API that helps users generate lifelike voices with intonation and emotion. Users can fine-tune voice output for specific scenarios, adjusting parameters like rate, pitch, pronunciation, and pauses. The API supports tailored speech output with lexicons and Speech Synthesis Markup Language.

Users can even build custom voices utilizing the Custom Neural Voice capability and export them in MP3 and WAV format. This AI character voice generator is designed for efficient text-to-speech conversion and supports neural text-to-speech voices. It has 400+ voices in 140 languages and creates high-fidelity audio outputs with 48kHz and 24kHz. Its pricing plan ranges from $24 to $52 per one million characters.

🌟Features:

• Neural text-to-speech for lifelike voices.
• Allows users to create a unique AI voice generator that reflects their brand's identity.
• Features to create custom voices.
• Offers diverse voice styles and emotions.

IBM Watson Text-to-Speech

IBM Text-to-Speech stands out for providing real-time speech synthesis in 19+ languages. It employs advanced AI and Machine Learning technologies to offer an enhanced user experience across various applications. Developers can give their brands a distinctive voice and ensure improved customer engagement by interacting in users' native languages.

Its key features include improved user comprehension, low latency of about 1 ms, and data security. You can create custom voices, control speech attributes, adjust pronunciations, and personalize voice quality. It offers 500 minutes per month for free, and you can purchase one million minutes for $0.001-$0.002 per minute.

🌟Features:

• Provides multilingual support with real-time speech synthesis.
• Smooth and natural-sounding voice quality.
• Developers have the flexibility to design custom-branded neural voices.
• Fine-tune pronunciation, volume, pitch, speed, and other attributes.
• Control the tone of voice by selecting specific speaking styles.

Speechify

Speechify is a versatile text-to-speech platform that offers users the convenience of converting various content types. It supports inputs such as web pages, documents, PDFs, and emails and converts them into spoken words. With an intuitive interface, users can easily transform text into speech. Its standout features include the ability to change language accent and adjust reading speed. With 130+ TTS voices in over 30 languages and diverse accents, Speechify provides a comprehensive solution.

This open-source text-to-speech also offers a browser extension facilitating the reading aloud of any web page. Powered by machine learning, Speechify's TTS API enables developers to generate natural-sounding speech by converting text into an MP3 file. With a subscription of $19.99/month, it offers high-speed conversion and low latency.

🌟Features:

• Accessible through any programming language supporting HTTP requests.
• The API accepts plain English or SSML input.
• Reads diverse content.
• Real-time speed adjustments.
• Browser extension for web pages.

Play.Ht

Play.ht offers a user-friendly online Text-to-Speech API that converts text into natural-sounding speech in 142 languages and accents globally. It supports easy file downloads in MP3 or WAV format, catering to users with diverse needs. This best AI voices generator simplifies access to AI voices from multiple providers, including PlayHT, Google, Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft, streamlining integration efforts.

Notably, PlayHT's Turbo voice models achieve rapid speech generation in under 300ms, with automatic updates ensuring access to the latest improvements by TTS providers. Users can explore a library of 829 high-quality voices, including Britney Spears AI voice. Key features include expressive speech styles, voice cloning, custom pauses, pronunciations, conversational TTS, and unlimited downloads.

🌟Features:

• Supports text-to-speech conversion in 142 languages and accents.
• Provides access to AI voices from various providers, including PlayHT, Google, Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft, through a single interface.
• Generates speech in less than 300ms.
• Allows manipulation of voice tones, including volume, rate, and pitch, for unique effects.
• Offers integrations with platforms like WordPress and Zapier.

Descript

Descript TTS API is an advanced voice cloning software. It can mimic the nuances and intonations of human speech, seamlessly blending with natural audio recordings and maintaining tonal consistency. It offers the flexibility to create multiple voices to suit various performance styles or settings. The API facilitates audio generation and editing, with a specific focus on Overdub for selecting voice IDs.

It supports 23 languages, and its pricing starts from $12/month. Users can quickly create and fetch audio tasks, supporting editing and transfer of audio or video via Import URLs to Descript. The API prioritizes security with personal tokens and sets rate limits, such as 500 overdubs per minute. Note that Overdub API access is exclusive to Descript Enterprise customers.

🌟Features:

• Offers realistic AI voices for professional voice-over applications.
• Provides an easy-to-use interface for a seamless user experience.
• Includes tools to facilitate collaboration on voice-over projects.
• Supports voice synthesis in multiple languages and dialects.
• Enables users to customize voice-overs with features like pitch, pauses, and pronunciation.
• Ensures high-quality and professional-sounding speech output.

Murf AI

Murf AI can create realistic AI voices, offering professional-quality voice-overs for videos and presentations. The diverse selection of 120+ human-like AI voices, available in 20 languages, has high quality. Users can choose from various accents and customize voice-overs using pitch, pauses, and pronunciation features. The Murf.ai text-to-speech API simplifies the conversion of written text into spoken words using advanced digital signal processing algorithms.

It ensures a seamless and secure integration into existing technology stacks. With features like real-time text-to-speech conversions and the ability to output in various audio formats like MP3, FLAC, and WAV, Murf.ai is a reliable solution. It is available at $26/month subscription.

🌟Features:

• Natural Sounding Voices.
• Multilingual Support.
• Customization Features.
• Professional Speech Quality.
• Voice Cloning.

Synthesia.io

Synthesia.io API stands out as a powerful and customizable text-to-speech synthesis tool. It provides accurate and lifelike voices for applications demanding high-quality speech synthesis and improved user experiences. This text-to-speech API is specifically designed for videos. It can integrate videos into SaaS apps, create personalized videos, and generate cinematic content. Synthesia offers a $30 per month personal plan and supports 400+ voices in 120+ languages.

🌟Features:

• Accurate and Customizable Text-to-Speech Synthesis.
• Delivers high-quality and natural-sounding audio.
• Specifically designed as a text-to-speech API for videos.
• Allows seamless integration of videos into SaaS apps.
• Enables the creation of personalized videos tailored to specific needs.

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Comparison of Popular Text-to-Speech APIs

Here is a comparison table for the top ten text-to-speech APIs. The pricing, rating, and quality will help you determine the best TTS API for your app.

Bonus Part: Free Online Text-to-Speech Generator for Beginners

EaseUS VoiceOver is a free text-to-speech tool to help users convert written text into natural-sounding speech. With multiple customizable features, users can tailor the reading experience to their preferences. It offers customization on setting distinct voice parameters for each section of the text, allowing a nuanced and dynamic audio output.

EaseUS VoiceOver supports 167+ languages with 469 voices to help users choose the perfect voice for their content. One of its standout features is its text-to-speech with emotions, such as anger, dissatisfaction, joy, fear, and sadness, through speech. Users can fine-tune audio by adjusting speech speed from -50% to 50%, providing full control over the pacing of the narration.

🌟Features:

• Nuanced and personalized audio output.
• Supports 149 languages with a vast selection of 469 voices.
• Conveys a range of emotions.
• Users can preview and play each voice to ensure their satisfaction.
• Supports the multiple export of subtitle file formats.

To Conclude

As user experiences play a key role in the app's rating, developers look for ways to enhance the app's accessibility. Text-to-speech APIs have added multiple possibilities for developers. By choosing the right TTS API, you can enhance your app's accessibility and performance.

This article mentioned the top 10 text-to-speech developer APIs. Each tool offers features from emotion-rich speech synthesis to customizable voice parameters. Among them, EaseUS VoiceOver stands out for providing a user-friendly and versatile solution. Its easy user interface, free availability, and seamless integration make it the best TTS tool.

FAQs on Text-to-Speech API

Text-to-speech tools allow users to create lifelike voices from text. If you're looking for the text to speech tools, here are some insights for you

1. Is text-to-speech API free?

Text-to-speech APIs integrate TTS features into apps. Some tools offer free versions with limited usage, while others operate on a paid subscription model. EaseUS VoiceOver is an advanced text-to-speech tool offering multiple features for free.

2. Does OpenAI have a text-to-speech API?

Yes, OpenAI provides a text-to-speech API. This API allows developers to convert written text into spoken words, enhancing applications with lifelike speech synthesis. Developers can explore OpenAI's use of this tool for multiple applications.

3. What is Google TTS API?

Google's Text-to-Speech API is a service that uses advanced techniques to convert text into human-like speech. It offers multiple voices in several languages and allows users to create custom voice models. The API integrates seamlessly with other Google Cloud services, enhancing the capabilities of applications that require natural-sounding speech synthesis.