[Free] Best Text-to-Speech & Speech Synthesis Software Ranking

What are text-to-speech software and speech synthesis software?

Text-to-speech software and speech synthesis software are programs that convert documents such as characters and text into speech and read them aloud.
Depending on the software, some support multiple languages such as English and Chinese in addition to Japanese.
There are also those with audio download functions and intonation editing functions.

Differences between text-to-speech software and speech synthesis software

There is no difference between text-to-speech software and speech synthesis software.

In most cases, they are used with the same meaning.

Ranking of text-to-speech software and speech synthesis software

Here, we will introduce free text-to-speech software and speech synthesis software in a ranking format.

Rank 1. Ondoku

Ondoku is an AI text-to-speech site that can be used without downloading or installing software.

As it is a web service, you can use all functions on your browser.

It can be used for commercial purposes for free, and audio downloads are easy.

What you can do with Ondoku. About commercial use (business use) and prohibited items.

Commercial use (business use) is possible with Ondoku. Regardless of whether you are an individual or a corporation, use for the purpose of obtaining direct or indirect financial profit is considered commercial use. However, please note that prohibited acts are established in Ondoku. This time, we will explain what you can and cannot do with Ondoku...

In addition to Japanese, it supports 81 languages and regions including English, Chinese, German, and Spanish!

【Ondoku】Listen to voice types and sample audio for supported languages

Here, we will introduce the supported languages and sample audio of Ondoku.

With free membership registration, you can read aloud and download up to 5,000 characters per month for free.

For usage beyond that, paid plans starting from 980 yen for 200,000 characters are available.

【Operating Environment】

• All devices connected to the internet (smartphones, tablets, PCs, etc.)

Why don't you try using the recommended text-to-speech web app "Ondoku"?

Rank 2. Aquest Talk (Yukkuri Voice)

The Aquest Talk speech synthesis engine is famous as Yukkuri Voice. There are several types of software that use the Aquest Talk speech synthesis engine.

Commercial use is possible for each software, but in the case of software using the current version of AquesTalk, a license purchase from Aquest Talk Co., Ltd. is required.

Bouyomi-chan

This software is so famous that Yukkuri Voice is often associated with Bouyomi-chan. You can read aloud text using Yukkuri Voice.

It also supports reading aloud for Twitter and dedicated browsers for 2channel, allowing for various uses beyond just reading text.
Read text can be saved as WAVE (.wav) files.

Regarding the commercial use of Bouyomi-chan, it uses an older version of AquesTalk (for Win), and the older version of AquesTalk (for Win) can be used free of charge, regardless of whether it is for-profit or non-profit.

【Operating Environment】

• Windows 2000 or higher (Confirmed only on 7 64-bit version)
• Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 or higher (Confirmed only on 3.5)

Bouyomi-chan: Download

Softalk

This software converts entered text into speech and reads it aloud. Some versions use a slightly different speech synthesis engine than Bouyomi-chan.

By specifying citation functions, reading aloud from other applications is also possible.
Read text can be saved as WAVE (.wav) files.

To use Softalk's audio for commercial purposes, a license purchase from Aquest Talk Co., Ltd. is required for some voices. For SAPI and Speech Platform, please inquire with each company.

【Operating Environment】

• Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP/2000

Softalk: Download

Please also see this article about Yukkuri Voice.

【2026 Latest】6 Recommended Yukkuri Voice and Bouyomi Software | Complete Comparison of PC and Smartphone Apps

Carefully selected introduction of Yukkuri Voice and Bouyomi software ideal for video production and game commentary. We explain how anyone can easily create high-quality audio with the latest 2026 apps for PC and smartphones.

Rank 3. Open JTalk

Open JTalk is an open-source speech synthesis engine.

Developed primarily by the Nagoya Institute of Technology, it is released under the Modified BSD license. This speech synthesis engine itself is free and can be used for commercial purposes.

TexTalk

This is software that reads aloud text from loaded text files.

For Japanese, you can choose from male (1 type) and female (6 types), and for English, you can choose from female (1 type). Read audio can be saved to MP3/WAVE (.wav) files.

Since there are no particular restrictions on the use of audio, commercial use is also possible.

【Operating Environment】

• Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP/2000

TexTalk: Download

SHABERU

This software allows you to easily perform speech synthesis and text-to-speech using Open JTalk sound sources by entering text into a text box.

Momone Momo and Kedamine Low are used as the default acoustic models. Other acoustic models are added to the website from time to time.
Read audio can be saved to WAVE (.wav) files.

Commercial use is not clearly stated, so please check with the developer.

【Operating Environment】

• Windows 7/Vista (Confirmed)

SHABERU: Download
Acoustic Model Distribution Page

Rank 4. Standard Reading Functions

Smartphones, PCs, and tablets are each equipped with standard reading functions. There are various operation methods, such as being able to read aloud by specifying a range.

Smartphone Standard Reading Functions

iOS devices such as iPhone and Android devices such as Xperia and OPPO have built-in standard reading functions.

However, in the case of standard reading functions, there are the following concerns. That said, it can be said to be sufficient if you just want to use the reading function.

• Cannot download / difficult to download
• Cannot use commercially / unknown if possible

【For iOS devices such as iPhone】

• Method 1: Ask Siri. Say: "Speak screen".
• Method 2: Go to "Settings" > "Accessibility" > "Spoken Content".
  Select your preferred items, such as Speak Selection.

Source: iPhone User Guide

【For Android devices】

Open the Settings app.
Select Accessibility, then Text-to-speech output.
Select your preferred engine, language, speech rate, and pitch.

Source: Android Accessibility

Windows Standard Reading Function

Windows PCs also have built-in standard reading functions.

Narrator can be started in several ways. The following four methods are preferred by many users:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key + Enter.
2. On a tablet, press the Windows logo button + Volume Up button together.
3. On the sign-in screen, tap or click the [Ease of Access] button in the lower-left corner and choose [Narrator].
4. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap [Settings] > [Change PC settings].
   (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click [Settings] > [Change PC settings]). Tap or click [Ease of Access] > [Narrator], and then move the slider under [Narrator] to turn it on.

Source: Microsoft

Mac Standard Reading Function (VoiceOver)

Mac computers also have built-in standard reading functions.

Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Spoken Content.

Source: macOS User Guide

Rank 5. Coestation

The app version of Coestation, provided by Coestation Inc., allows you to use your own voice as text-to-speech software.

By reading designated text patterns, the accuracy improves, and you can develop the quality of text-to-speech.

The audio from the app version cannot be used for commercial purposes. For corporate use, inquiries regarding separate fees are required.

【Operating Environment】

• iOS

Official: Coestation

Rank 6. Google Translate

If you just want to read text aloud, Google Translate is quick and easy to use.

Enter text in the text box and press the translate button. You can read it aloud by pressing the speaker icon.

There is no mention of commercial use, so it is safest to assume it is generally not allowed. Also, there is no download function.

【Operating Environment】

• All devices connected to the internet (smartphones, tablets, PCs, etc.)