Best Text to Speech Software in 2025 I reviewed the best text to speech software. You should check out my findings.

Based on voice quality, real-time needs, and customization options, PlayHT is the best AI-powered text-to-speech software in 2025. It offers emotion-rich voiceovers, hyper-realistic voice cloning, and the most conversational AI voices. It also includes a powerful editor and flexible API.

Other top tools include ElevenLabs, Azure TTS, and Coqui.

As someone who’s deeply fascinated by the advancements in text-to-speech (TTS) technology, I’ve taken it upon myself to dive into the best text to speech software available today. Whether you’re looking for a TTS solution for Windows, iOS, or Android, I’ve got you covered. I’ve tested each one, and here are my thoughts.

What is TTS, or Text to Speech?

Text-to-speech (TTS) technology converts written text into spoken words using artificial intelligence. It enhances accessibility, automates reading tasks, and provides lifelike, natural-sounding voices for various applications across different devices and operating systems.

Top 5 AI Voice Use Cases:

1. Assisting individuals with disabilities, such as dyslexia, by reading aloud text.
2. Creating voiceovers for videos, including YouTube videos and tutorials.
3. Automating customer service responses with realistic AI voices.
4. Generating audiobooks and podcasts from written content.
5. Enhancing user experience by integrating TTS in apps and websites for real-time text reading.

Here’s The List of The Best Text to Speech Software for Voiceovers in 2025

1. Play HT: The Best Text to Speech Software

Use Cases

• Content repurposing for audio articles
• Professional video voiceovers for youtube and tiktok
• AI podcast narration and intros
• Call center IVR systems
• Multilingual product demos
• In-app voice automation via API
• Powering AI voice agents

First on my list, and undoubtedly the best, is Play HT. This text to speech app is a standout for several reasons. Play HT offers high-quality, natural-sounding voices, thanks to its advanced AI voice technology. The voices are so lifelike that it’s hard to believe you’re not listening to a human.

Play HT supports a wide range of languages, including American English (including various accents, like Southern, Vally Girl, and more), Spanish (16+ regional variations), French, and Japanese. This makes it a versatile choice for anyone looking to read aloud content in different languages. The software excels in creating audio files for podcasts, voiceovers, and even audiobooks, making it an ideal tool for content creators.

One of the key features that sets Play HT apart is its real-time speech synthesis. This functionality allows for immediate playback, which is incredibly useful for tasks that require instant audio feedback. The software also integrates seamlessly with popular platforms like Google Docs, Microsoft Edge, and even video editing tools, enhancing its usability across different applications.

In terms of pricing, Play HT offers flexible plans to suit various needs, from individual users to enterprises. The API access further extends its capabilities, allowing developers to integrate TTS functionality into their own applications.
Pros

• Most realistic and emotional AI voices
• Advanced Studio editor with emotion tags, pauses, and background tracks
• Excellent voice cloning
• Real-time playback while editing
• Developer-friendly API with good documentation
• Supports accents, dialects, and multiple languages
• Simple, beginner-friendly interface

Cons

• No offline mode

2. NaturalReader

Use Cases

• Accessibility for users with dyslexia or visual impairments
• Reading academic or scanned materials aloud
• Personal reading assistance
• Proofreading long documents

NaturalReader is another fantastic text-to-speech tool that I’ve enjoyed using. It’s available on both Windows and macOS, making it accessible to a wide range of users. What I love about NaturalReader is its user-friendly interface and the ability to handle multiple document formats, including PDFs and Word files.

The software features high-quality, natural-sounding voices that make listening to spoken words a pleasant experience. NaturalReader is particularly useful for those with dyslexia or other reading disabilities, offering a range of customization options to enhance readability and comprehension.

NaturalReader also supports dictation and transcription, which can be a huge time-saver for professionals. The free version provides basic functionality, but upgrading to the premium plan unlocks additional features and voices.

Pros

• Good for document-based reading (PDF, Word)
• Decent OCR for scanned documents
• Supports both online and desktop versions
• Free tier available

Cons

• Voices are less realistic compared to premium TTS tools
• Limited editing and customization
• Not ideal for commercial-quality voiceovers

3. Speechify

Use Cases

• Studying and research on the go
• Reading emails or articles during commutes
• Passive learning and listening
• Reviewing long blog posts or research docs hands-free

Speechify is a popular choice for those who need a versatile TTS solution. Available on iOS and Android, as well as a Chrome extension, Speechify offers flexibility for users on the go. The app excels at converting text from web pages, emails, and documents into spoken words.

One of the standout features of Speechify is its ability to sync across devices. You can start listening to an article on your phone and pick up right where you left off on your computer. This seamless integration is a game-changer for those who multitask across different platforms.

Speechify’s AI voice generator produces lifelike speech that enhances the listening experience. The app also supports multiple languages, making it a great choice for non-English speakers. While the free version offers basic functionality, the premium plan unlocks additional voices and features.

Pros

• Best mobile app experience
• Seamless cross-device syncing
• Handles webpages, emails, and YouTube links
• Built-in note taking feature
• Great for students and multitaskers

Cons

• Voices still sound synthetic for pro audio work
• Lacks deep editing or customization features
• Some features behind a paywall

4. Amazon Polly

Use Cases

• Voice-enabled chatbots
• In-app audio generation
• Developer automation workflows
• Call center IVR systems
• Real-time content personalization

Amazon Polly is a robust TTS solution powered by Amazon’s AI. It’s particularly suited for developers who want to integrate text-to-speech capabilities into their applications. Polly offers a wide range of voices and languages, ensuring that you can find the perfect voice for your needs.

What sets Amazon Polly apart is its ability to generate speech in real-time, making it ideal for applications that require immediate audio feedback. The software also supports various audio formats, providing flexibility in how you use the generated speech.

Pricing for Amazon Polly is based on usage, which can be cost-effective for businesses with specific needs. The API documentation is thorough, offering tutorials and examples to help developers get started quickly.

Pros

• Highly scalable via API
• Offers neural voices with emotional expressions
• Fast response time
• Multi-format output (MP3, PCM, OGG)
• Detailed documentation for developers

Cons

• Not plug-and-play for non-technical users
• No built-in editor
• Requires AWS setup and billing management

5. Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services

Use Cases

• Internal communication flows
• Enterprise apps with voice interfaces
• TTS inside Microsoft 365 tools
• Onboarding videos and HR portals
• Assistive tools for employees

Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services offers a comprehensive suite of AI tools, including text-to-speech capabilities. This service is perfect for businesses looking to leverage machine learning and AI to create natural-sounding voices for their applications.

Azure’s TTS engine produces high-quality speech that’s indistinguishable from a human voice. The service supports multiple languages and dialects, making it suitable for a global audience. Azure also provides real-time speech synthesis, which is crucial for applications that require instant audio output.

One of the advantages of using Microsoft Azure is its integration with other Microsoft products, such as Windows and Office. This makes it easier to incorporate TTS functionality into your existing workflow. Pricing is based on usage, with various tiers to accommodate different needs.

Pros

• High-quality emotional voices
• Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem (Teams, Power Automate)
• “Style and Role” voice presets
• Supports multiple languages and accents
• Scalable and enterprise-ready

Cons

• Setup can be complex for casual users
• Requires Azure account and permissions
• Pricing not intuitive for small projects

6. Google Text-to-Speech

Use Cases

• Hands-free article or email reading
• Accessibility support on Android
• Reading eBooks or docs aloud
• Screen reading on mobile devices

Google Text-to-Speech is a reliable and widely-used TTS solution, especially popular among Android users. It’s pre-installed on most Android devices and integrates seamlessly with Google services like Google Docs and Google Translate.

The software features natural-sounding voices and supports multiple languages, making it accessible to a diverse user base. Google Text-to-Speech is particularly useful for reading aloud web pages, emails, and documents, providing a hands-free way to consume content.

One of the strengths of Google Text-to-Speech is its simplicity. The interface is straightforward, making it easy for anyone to use. While the free version offers basic functionality, additional voices and features can be accessed through in-app purchases.

Pros

• Pre-installed on most Android devices
• Lightweight and reliable
• Good for basic screen reading
• Free to use
• Multi-language support

Cons

• No advanced voice emotion or editing
• Not suitable for commercial use
• No built-in studio or customization

7. Balabolka

Use Cases

• Long-form document narration
• Audiobook creation
• Custom pronunciation editing
• Batch conversion for offline listening

Balabolka is an open-source text-to-speech tool that’s packed with features. Available on Windows, Balabolka supports various file formats, including DOCX, EPUB, and HTML. This makes it a versatile choice for those who need to convert different types of documents into spoken words.

The software offers a range of voices, including high-quality options that produce lifelike speech. Balabolka also provides extensive customization options, allowing you to adjust the pitch, speed, and volume of the speech to suit your preferences.

One of the standout features of Balabolka is its ability to save speech as audio files in different formats. This is particularly useful for creating audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio content. As an open-source tool, Balabolka is free to use, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious users.

After testing these text to speech software options, I can confidently say that Play HT stands out as the best choice. Its combination of high-quality, natural-sounding voices, real-time speech synthesis, and seamless integration with various platforms makes it the top pick. However, each of the TTS tools mentioned here has its own strengths and can be the best choice depending on your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for a text-to-speech app for personal use, content creation, or business applications, there’s a solution out there for you.

Pros

• Free and open-source
• Full control over voice settings (pitch, speed, pronunciation)
• Supports multiple file types (TXT, DOCX, EPUB, HTML, etc.)
• Batch MP3 export
• Bookmarking and dictionary support

Cons

• Outdated UI
• No real voice cloning or emotional tones
• Windows-only

8. Podcastle

Use Cases

• Creating podcast intros and promos
• Cloning your own voice for brand content
• Script-based podcast production
• Voice customization for storytelling
• Publishing entire episodes directly from the editor

Podcastle’s text-to-speech software is a simple and efficient TTS converter you definitely need to try. It offers a wide range of male and female AI voice skins you can work with, so you can choose from various accents and intonations.

All you have to do to convert your text to speech is copy your text in Podcastle’s Text Editor and then choose the AI voice skin you want to apply. One of the coolest features of this software is that you can also create a digital voice skin of your voice with the Revoice feature and then use it to convert text to audio that sounds just like you! 

Plus, if you don’t like something about the audio, you can easily edit it by editing the text using Podcastle’s text mode feature. It makes audio editing as easy as editing a Google doc. 

Along with the TTS feature, Podcastle also serves as an all-in-one content recording, editing, enhancement, and hosting software packed with powerful AI enhancement tools that make your work quicker and easier. 

Pros

• AI voice cloning with “Revoice”
• Studio-like interface for script-to-audio workflows
• Real-time audio updates from text edits
• Built-in podcast publishing tools
• Multi-track editing support

Cons

• Some features behind paid plans
• Voice cloning requires user training
• Not ideal for non-podcast use cases

Table Comparison of The Best Text to Speech Software

oftware	Top 3 Features	Pricing (as of 2024)
Play HT	High-quality, natural-sounding voices, real-time speech synthesis, API access	Flexible plans, starting at $14.25/month
NaturalReader	Multiple document formats, user-friendly interface, customization options	Free basic version; Premium from $9.99/month
Speechify	Device syncing, versatile TTS solution, AI voice generator	Free basic version; Premium from $7.99/month
Amazon Polly	Real-time speech generation, wide range of voices, various audio formats	Usage-based pricing, starts at $4 per million characters
Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services	High-quality speech, multiple languages, integration with Microsoft products	Usage-based pricing, varies by use case
Google Text-to-Speech	Natural-sounding voices, multi-language support, simplicity	Free with optional in-app purchases
Balabolka	Open-source, supports various file formats, extensive customization	Free