Best Text To Speech Software
Narration and use of human voices are quite the recipe to make online learners more interested and emotionally connected with the eLearning course. Fortunately, there is great abundance in narration and voice-over professionals out there. However, the cost keeps rising if you decide to hire a professional. There also arises the issue of what happens when you decide to update or add content to your online training course. Text to speech software tools eliminate the need to pay a professional while tackling cases of visually impaired online learners or online learners with various other learning disabilities.
1. Ivona
A member of the Amazon group of companies, Ivona is one of the best text to speech software tools in the market.
- 47 Human-Like Voices
Ivona covers 24 languages with both male and female voices for almost all of them. - Quality Performance Regardless Of Device
Ivona partners with ReadSpeaker bringing optimized performance on almost all devices, as well as the ability to integrate Ivona into other applications.
Features And Plans
- 13 Subscription Plans Available
Prices range from $29,95 for the basic option utilizing the Windows voice and go up to $159 depending on how many voices you will choose to purchase.
2. NaturalReader
Another great text to speech software with Optical Character Recognition for both Windows and Mac users. NaturalReader also offers the ability to change speed of speech.
- Free Download With Great Compatibility
Free version available and compatible with PDF, Word files and Webpages. - Vast Range Of Voices
US English, British English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese to name a few. - Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
OCR enables you to scan your text and then convert it into digital text which you can listen to in audio form or save in your computer. - Great Aid For People With Learning Disabilities
From dyslexics to visually impaired online learners the “see it highlighted as you listen to it” function is a one key fits all solution. Real-time spelling feedback further strengthens spelling weaknesses. Online learners with learning disabilities can benefit greatly from such features.
Features And Plans
- 4 Subscription Options
Free version is pretty standard with the Text To Speech function for documents and webpages along with other features. Then you have three other versions. One for $69,50, one for $129,50 and one for $199,50, depending on how many natural sounding voices you need or how many images you need the OCR function for.
3. Zabaware Text To Speech Reader
Great text to speech software with a speech synthesizer that reads many types of documents.
- Various Compatible Text Types
Documents, emails, websites, clipboard contents as well as Windows dialog boxes. - Free Download Available
Free version comes with high-quality non-human voices. - Great Tool For Learning Disabilities
Reading disabilities, as well as various concentration problems, are tackled by Zabaware’s features.
Features And Plans
- Variety Of Subscription Packages
While there are a lot of expansions, the 2 main options, namely the Cerevoice and AT&T voice packages, are great deals for $24,95.
4. iSpeech
iSpeech is a text to speech software with the ability to convert text to numerous audio formats not limited to only one device. Blackberry, iPhone and Android applications are available.
- Multiple Formats
Wav, MP3, ogg, wma, aiff, alaw, ulaw, vox, MP4 to name a few. - Give Voice To Any Text
Don’t limit yourself to PDFs or copy and pasted text. iSpeech’s open-source text to speech function allows you to voice-enable even text from chat applications. - Multiple Devices
Nobody owns just one mobile device nowadays. iSpeech has you covered with its responsive design.
Features And Plans
- For eLearning Companies
For $500 you can create audio for up to 10,000 words. $1,500 takes the word limit to 50,000 and $2,500 brings it up to 100,000 words. - Various Other Options For Businesses
iSpeech provides text to speech solutions to developers, publishers, as well as interactive voice response prompts. For further information on pricing options check their website.
5. Acapela Group Virtual Speaker
One of the best text to speech software tools the market has to offer, particularly useful for eLearning purposes, with many compatible formats, languages and voice properties.
- Immense Variety Of Voices
More than 70 voices and 30 languages with additional voice mood range as well as voice frequency to indicate sadness, happiness, whispering or screaming. - Several Audio Output Formats
You name it, Virtual speaker has it. 8 kHz, 11 kHz, 16 kHz, 22 kHz, 44 kHz along with many more. - Speech Control
Modify settings, voice or language as you are listening to a text with this great feature.
Features and plans
- No Subscription Required
Virtual Speaker and all of its features come for free.
6. TextSpeech Pro
Download-only text to speech software that reads the most popular document types such as PDFs, MS Word files and HTML. It also provides support to impaired users.
- Great Selection Of Natural Voices
The paid version includes AT&T’s natural voices with the ability to change voice speed, volume and quality. - Various Integration Features
TextSpeech Pro gives you the option to have your emails read out loud, as well as have any web page read to you.
Features And Plans
- 6 Subscription Options Available
TextSpeech Pro Basic starts from $19,99 and price range goes up to $149,99 for TextSpeech Pro Enterprise with several price options in between, according to what features you want included.
7. AudioBookMaker
If you’re on the lookout for free and reliable text to speech software, then look no further. AudioBookMaker is probably the best free text to speech software.
- Multi-Lingual Interface
English, Russian and simplified Chinese included. - Customizable Speech Parameters
Change speed, pitch and volume as you see fit. - Highlighted Spoken Text
Significantly important for online learners with learning disabilities. - Customized Settings
Not only can you adjust a variety of document settings, but you can also have those settings restored every time you re-open that document.
Features And Plans
- 100% Free
Although you do have the ability to donate in order to provide for maintenance costs, AudioBookMaker doesn’t require subscriptions.
8. TextAloud 3
Developed by NextUp, TextAloud 3 is one of the most professional text to speech software tools, featuring 29 languages.
- Massive Range Of Voices
TextAloud has partnered with AT&T Natural Voices, Acapela Group, Ivona, and Nuance Vocalizer bringing you many voice options and different accents to choose from. - Free Trial Version
You don’t have to pay straight ahead. You can download the free trial and then decide if you want to move on with a premium subscription. - Tons Of Features
Create messages for your answering machine, have your text read in 29 languages, or use TextAloud 3 as help for people with sight problems.
Features And Plans
- 2 Premium Options
You can purchase TextAloud 3 for $29,95 and then add various other voice packages such as AT&T Natural Voices. You can alsobuy NextUp Talker for $99,95, which is designed for people with speech deficiencies.
9. Read The Words
Online text to speech software with various language options and easy-to-use interface with free version available.
- 3 Language Options
Have your text translated and read to you in English, French and Spanish. - RSS Audio Podcasts
Articles from an RSS feed are converted into speech recordings, while the links are kept in the feed. There is a 3-day trial available so you can test out this great feature. - Audio File Creation
Free users can create audio files of up to 30 seconds. - 15 Voices
Free version offers 15 different voices to choose from.
Features and plans
- 1 Premium Membership Option
$39,99 per year or $10 per month gets you unlimited audio files up to 1 hour and 100 podcasts available.
10. Voice Reader 15
Linguatec has produced this excellent text to speech software tool with numerous functional features.
- 45 Languages
English, German, Italian and Spanish among others, depending on the membership you choose. - Translator
Also available in many premium memberships to suit either individual or corporate needs. - Mobile Applications
Plethora of apps such as the Voice Translator for interpretation purposes, text to speech mobile applications, VoiceReader and VoiceReader Web for both PDF documents and webpages. Also, the LinguaDict integrated voice output German dictionary covers all your lexical needs.
Features And Plans
- 4 Premium Memberships
Starting from $49 for the basic package, the price builds up according to what you choose to include.
Whether you’re looking to cut maintenance costs, deal with learning disabilities or simply add cutting edge tools to your eLearning course, text to speech software offers the solution to everything.
Now that you know the best text to speech software available in the market, it's time to explore its functionality and features in depth. Read the article The Complete Guide On Text-To-Speech Software: Are You Hearing Voices? to discover why and how to use TTS software, plus alternative ways to obtain TTS audio.