What is Text-to-Speech API?
Text-to-speech technology, also called voice generation, is transforming the world of human-computer interaction. It facilitates the conversion of written text into spoken words, making it possible for digital devices and applications to interact with users in a way that's natural and easy to follow. This technology utilizes advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence to replicate the nuances and subtleties of human speech, including intonation and pronunciation.
TTS has numerous applications across diverse industries, including accessibility tools that help visually impaired people and voice assistants that enable hands-free control of smart devices.
Top Open Source (Free) Text-to-Speech models on the market
For users seeking a cost-effective engine, opting for an open-source model is the recommended choice. Here is the list of best Voice Generation Open Source Models:
1. MARYTTS
MARY Text-to-Speech, also known as MARYTTS, is a versatile multilingual TTS synthesis platform that caters to a wide array of languages, including English (both British and American variations), French, German, Italian, Russian, and many more. Its extensive language support makes it an excellent choice for global applications.
2. eSpeak
eSpeak is a compact, open-source text-to-speech engine compatible with both Windows and Linux operating systems. In addition to its support for English, eSpeak accommodates numerous other languages, rendering it a suitable option for a diverse range of users.
3. Mimic
Mimic distinguishes itself as a high-speed open-source TTS engine. This engine's swiftness makes it an attractive choice for applications where real-time speech generation is a critical factor.
4. CMU Flite TTS (Festival Lite)
CMU Flite TTS, commonly referred to as Festival Lite or Flite, is a lightweight runtime TTS engine celebrated for its speed and efficiency. Being an open-source engine, it not only offers cost-free usage but also allows extensive customizations. Consequently, many businesses opt for this TTS engine to tailor it to their specific needs.
5. MBROLA
MBROLA, an acronym for Multi-Band Resynthesis OverLap Add, is another prominent open-source TTS engine renowned for its wide language support. It caters to a multitude of spoken languages, making it an invaluable tool for projects with diverse linguistic requirements.
6. YakiToMe
YakiToMe simplifies the process of converting text files into voice files with ease. Users can effortlessly download the generated voice files in the popular MP3 audio format. This user-friendly feature-rich tool is ideal for those seeking an uncomplicated text-to-speech solution with the added benefit of audio file downloads.
7. Mozilla
Mozilla TTS is an open-source model that provides tools and models for converting text into human-like speech. The primary model is Tacotron 2, which generates mel-spectrograms, and it can be paired with a vocoder like WaveGlow to create audio.
8. Facebook Voicebox
Facebook's Voicebox is an advanced AI model capable of performing various speech generation tasks, such as editing, sampling, and stylizing. It can produce superior quality audio clips and edit pre-recorded audio to remove any unwanted noises like car horns or dog barking while preserving the content and style of the audio. Additionally, the model is multilingual and can produce speech in six different languages.
Cons of Using Open Source AI models
While open source models offer many advantages, they also come with some potential drawbacks and challenges. Here are some cons of using open source models:
- Not Entirely Cost Free: Open-source models, while providing valuable resources to users, may not always be entirely free of cost. Users often need to bear expenses related to hosting and server usage, especially when dealing with large or resource-intensive data sets.
- Lack of Support: Open source models may not come with official support channels or dedicated customer support teams. If you encounter issues or need assistance, you might have to rely on community forums or the goodwill of volunteers, which can be less reliable than commercial support.
- Limited Documentation: Some open source models may have incomplete or poorly maintained documentation. This can make it difficult for developers to understand how to use the model effectively, leading to frustration and wasted time.
- Security Concerns: Security vulnerabilities can exist in open source models, and it may take longer for these issues to be addressed compared to commercially supported models. Users of open source models may need to actively monitor for security updates and patches.
- Scalability and Performance: Open source models may not be as optimized for performance and scalability as commercial models. If your application requires high performance or needs to handle a large number of requests, you may need to invest more time in optimization.
Why choose Eden AI?
Given the potential costs and challenges related to open-source models, one cost-effective solution is to use APIs. Eden AI smoothens the incorporation and implementation of AI technologies with its API, connecting to multiple AI engines.
Eden AI presents a broad range of AI APIs on its platform, customized to suit your specific needs and financial limitations. These technologies include data parsing, language identification, sentiment analysis, logo recognition, question answering, data anonymization, speech recognition, and numerous other capabilities.
To get started, we offer free $10 credits for you to explore our APIs.
Access Voice Generation providers with one API
Our standardized API enables you to integrate Text to Speech APIs into your system with ease by utilizing various providers on Eden AI. Here the list (in alphabetical order):
- AWS
- ElevenLabs
- Google Cloud
- IBM Watson
- Lovo Geny
- Microsoft Azure
1. AWS - Amazon Polly Available on Eden AI
AWS provides a powerful TTS API called Amazon Polly that allows users to customize speech output and create personalized voices using lexicons and Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) tags. AWS's Text-to-Speech system possesses the feature of creating speech in diverse languages, thus being an incredibly versatile and valuable tool for businesses and individuals requiring global communication.
2. ElevenLabs- Available on Eden AI
ElevenLabs provides the most cutting-edge text-to-speech and voice cloning software available today. You are able to generate vivid voiceovers for your content or utilise their AI voice technology for seamless text reading.
The software can transform text into realistic audio output in 29 languages and with 120 distinct voices. Moreover, you can efficiently create a digitized version of your own voice online within just a few minutes. Regardless of whether you're an author or a content creator, ElevenLabs' AI voice generator lets you create engaging audio content.
3. Google Cloud- Available on Eden AI
Google Cloud offers a TTS API that leverages DeepMind's exceptional speech synthesis capabilities to deliver high-quality speech with natural intonation. With over 380 voices available in 50+ languages and variants, users can select the ideal voice for their needs.
Additionally, Google Cloud's API enables users to design a distinctive voice that represents their brand across all customer touchpoints.Users can train bespoke voice models, modify intonation and pace, and apply SSML tags for voice personalization.
4. IBM Watson- Available on Eden AI
IBM Watson's service is capable of providing real-time speech synthesis in multiple languages using advanced AI and Machine Learning technologies, enabling users to interact with customers in their native tongue.
Additionally, IBM offers users the option to create a unique and branded voice through its Premium service, which can enhance a brand's identity and improve customer engagement.
5. Lovo Genny- Available on Eden AI
Lovo offers a high-quality AI voice generator called Genny. One of its most impressive features is Emotional Voices, which can express up to 25 emotions, adding depth and realism to any content, which in turn makes it more engaging and memorable. The platform also provides a one-stop-shop for video dubbing, allowing users to easily add sound effects and background music to their videos.
Lovo’s AI voices also provide superior realness and quality, with the world's largest library of voices (over 400+ voices with various styles, available in 100 languages).
6. Microsoft Azure- Available on Eden AI
Microsoft Azure offers a robust Text to Speech API that empowers users to produce authentic synthesized speech with intonation and emotion that align with human voices. With Azure, users can devise a distinctive AI voice generator that embodies their brand's identity.
Furthermore, the audio controls facilitate optimizing voice output for particular circumstances by modifying pace, pitch, articulation, pauses, and other parameters.
Pricing Structure for Text to Speech API Providers
Eden AI offers a user-friendly platform for evaluating pricing information from diverse API providers and monitoring price changes over time. As a result, keeping up-to-date with the latest pricing is crucial. The pricing chart below, outlines the rates for smaller quantities for October 2023 , as well as you can get discounts for potential large volumes.
Check the current prices on Eden AI
How Eden AI can help you?
Eden AI is the future of AI usage in companies: our app allows you to call multiple AI APIs.
- Centralized and fully monitored billing on Eden AI for Text to Speech APIs
- Unified API for all providers: simple and standard to use, quick switch between providers, access to the specific features of each provider
- Standardized response format: the JSON output format is the same for all suppliers thanks to Eden AI's standardization work. The response elements are also standardized thanks to Eden AI's powerful matching algorithms.
- The best Artificial Intelligence APIs in the market are available: big cloud providers (Google, AWS, Microsoft, and more specialized engines)
- Data protection: Eden AI will not store or use any data. Possibility to filter to use only GDPR engines.
You can see Eden AI documentation here.
Next step in your project
The Eden AI team can help you with your Text-to-Speech integration project. This can be done by :
- Organizing a product demo and a discussion to better understand your needs. You can book a time slot on this link: Contact
- By testing the public version of Eden AI for free: however, not all providers are available on this version. Some are only available on the Enterprise version.
- By benefiting from the support and advice of a team of experts to find the optimal combination of providers according to the specifics of your needs
- Having the possibility to integrate on a third-party platform: we can quickly develop connectors.
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