[Price Comparison] How much does it cost to request narration from voice actors or studios vs. using text-to-speech software?

Jan. 26, 2026

[Price Comparison] How much does it cost to request narration from voice actors or studios vs. using text-to-speech software?

In this article, we will explain the prices for creating narration with Ondoku versus hiring a voice actor or narrator.

There are more opportunities to require audio narration than you might think, such as for video narration, DVDs for internal training, and audio for educational guidance.

Easy-to-hear narration is the secret to increasing YouTube views.

When watching YouTube, videos with narration audio feel easier to watch than videos where only text captions flow by, don't they?

But do you feel like you can't include narration even if you want to, because hiring a professional voice actor is expensive?

That's where we want to suggest text-to-speech software.

Let's compare the costs of hiring a voice actor or studio for narration versus using text-to-speech software!

How much does it cost to hire a professional voice actor for narration?

Do you know how much it actually costs to request video narration?

We conducted our own research within the scope of what can be found online.

  • When hiring a professional voice actor or studio: From 5,000 yen for 500 characters (approx. 1.5 minutes)
  • When hiring through crowdsourcing sites: From 2,000 yen for 500 characters (approx. 1.5 minutes)

These seem to be the prices at which you can expect a certain level of quality.

On crowdsourcing sites, some people offer narration services at very low prices.

However, if you don't check reviews carefully before hiring, you might end up "penny wise and pound foolish."

How much does it cost to create narration with text-to-speech software?

Some text-to-speech software can be used completely for free, while others are paid.

Depending on the text-to-speech software, commercial use may not be permitted.

That's why we have a recommended text-to-speech software!

Recommended text-to-speech software for narration: "Ondoku"

Ondoku

"Ondoku" is

  • For those who want to use it on YouTube
  • For those who want to use it for internal training or educational video narration

it is a recommended text-to-speech software for those who want to use it for commercial purposes.

Surprisingly, you can use it for free for up to 5,000 characters per month!

Furthermore, even within the free usage tier, commercial use is possible on the condition that credit is given.

If you subscribe to a paid plan, credit notation is not required, and the number of characters you can read increases significantly to 200,000 to 1,000,000 characters.

You might think, "Then the price must be high, right?"

No, that's not the case.

  • Basic Plan (200,000 characters/month): 980 yen/month
  • Value Plan (450,000 characters/month): 1,980 yen/month
  • Premium Plan (1,000,000 characters/month): 2,980 yen/month

Even with the Basic Plan at 980 yen per month, you can read 200,000 characters, which is the equivalent of two paperback books. With this many characters, you could likely make many YouTube videos!

Business plans that can be used for outsourced work are also available.

You can use a plan that fits your intended use and purpose.

Why don't you first experience Ondoku's AI text-to-speech for yourself?

How much does it cost to hire a voice actor for narration on YouTube?

YouTube videos are generally around 10 minutes long.

In that case, if the narration continues throughout the video, roughly 2,000 characters are required.

Depending on the voice actor you hire, there may be discounts for larger character counts, but it won't become extremely cheap.

Also, if you request a retake, such as "change the way it's read" or "the script changed suddenly," a retake fee may be necessary.

Therefore, even at a conservative estimate, for one YouTube video of about 10 minutes:

  • For a voice actor: around 10,000 yen
  • For text-to-speech software: 0 to 980 yen

is the cost.

When you hire a voice actor, since it's professional work, I'm sure a narration of wonderful quality will be produced.

However, a narration cost of 10,000 yen for a single video is quite a large expense for a new YouTuber or someone with a limited budget.

In contrast, with text-to-speech software, you can easily create easy-to-hear narration with stable quality that is indistinguishable from a human.

You can listen to sample audio in this article. Why not first experience the high quality unique to the latest AI?

Also, it's great that Ondoku's prices are very affordable!

Of course, how you use either is up to you.

One way is to use text-to-speech software at first, and once your YouTube channel becomes profitable, hire a voice actor to create higher quality videos.

Just thinking about how to proceed is exciting!

Please try to make good use of the text-to-speech service, Ondoku, for your narration.

I'm rooting for your success.

■ AI voice synthesis software "Ondoku"

"Ondoku" is an online text-to-speech tool that can be used with no initial costs.

  • Supports approximately 50 languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and German
  • Available from both PC and smartphone
  • Suitable for business, education, entertainment, etc.
  • No installation required, can be used immediately from your browser
  • Supports reading from images

To use it, simply enter text or upload a file on the site. A natural-sounding audio file will be generated within seconds. You can use voice synthesis up to 5,000 characters for free, so please give it a try.

Text-to-speech software "Ondoku" can read out 5000 characters every month with AI voice for free. You can easily download MP3s and commercial use is also possible. If you sign up for free, you can convert up to 5,000 characters per month for free from text to speech. Try Ondoku now.
HP: ondoku3.com
Email: ondoku3.com@gmail.com
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"Ondoku" is a Text-to-Speech service that anyone can use for free without installation. If you register for free, you can get up to 5000 characters for free each month. Register now for free