[Free] Ranking of text-to-speech software and speech synthesis software

What is sentence reading software / speech synthesis software?

Sentence reading software and voice synthesis software are software that converts documents such as characters and text into voice and reads it aloud.
Some software supports multiple languages such as English and Chinese in addition to Japanese.
In addition, some have an audio download function and an intonation editing function.

Difference between sentence reading software and voice synthesis software

There is no difference between text-to-speech software and speech synthesis software. Most often used interchangeably.

Ranking of sentence reading software and speech synthesis software

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

1st place. Ondoku

It is a text-to-speech site that allows you to use all functions on the web that can be used without downloading or installing software.

It can be used for commercial purposes, and audio download is easy. In addition to Japanese, it supports more than 30 languages such as English, Chinese, German, and Spanish.

With free membership registration, you can read and download up to 5000 characters for free every month. For further use, you can purchase 200,000 characters from 980 yen.

【Operating environment】

• All terminals connected to the Internet (smartphones, tablets, PCs, etc.)

2nd place. Aquest Talk (slow voice)

Aquest Talk's speech synthesis engine is famous for its slow voice. There are several types of software that use Aquest Talk's speech synthesis engine.

The audio of each software can be used for commercial purposes, but if you are using the current version of AquesTalk, you need to purchase a license from Aquest Talk.

Stick reading

Speaking of slow voice, it is a software that is so famous that it is associated with stick reading. You can read the text slowly with voice.

It also supports reading aloud from Twitter and 2channel dedicated browsers, and can be used not only for reading texts but also for various purposes.
The read text can be saved in a WAVE (.wav) file.

For commercial use of Sticky Reader, the old version of AquesTalk (for Win) is used, and the old version of AquesTalk (for Win) can be used free of charge regardless of commercial or non-commercial use.

【Operating environment】

• Windows 2000 or above (only check the 64-bit version of 7)
• Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 or higher (3.5 only confirmed)

Stick reading: Download

Softalk

It is software that converts the input text into voice and reads it aloud. Some use a slightly different version of the speech synthesis engine than Sticky Reader.

By specifying the citation function, it can be read aloud from other applications.
The read text can be saved in a WAVE (.wav) file.

If you want to use Softalk voice for commercial use, you need to purchase a license from Aquest Talk for some voices. For SAPI / Speech Platform, please contact each company.

【Operating environment】

• Windows 10/8/7 / Vista / XP / 2000

Softalk: Download

3rd place. Open JTalk

Open Jtalk is an open source speech synthesis engine.

It is an open source developed mainly by Nagoya Institute of Technology and released under the Modified BSD license. The speech synthesis engine itself is free and can be used for commercial purposes.

Textbook

It is software that reads out the text of the read text file.

There are male (1 type) and female (6 types) in Japanese, and you can select the voice from female (1 type) in English. You can save the read voice to an MP3 / WAVE (.wav) file.

There are no particular restrictions on the use of voice, so commercial use is also possible.

【Operating environment】

• Windows 10/8/7 / Vista / XP / 2000

Textbook: Download

SHABERU

It is software that allows you to easily synthesize voice and read aloud sentences using the sound source of Open JTalk by entering characters in the text box.

The default acoustic model is Momone Momo and Beast Sound Row. Other acoustic models are constantly being added on HP.
You can save the read voice to a WAVE (.wav) file.

It is not specified for commercial use, so check with the developer.

【Operating environment】

• Windows 7 / Vista (confirmed)

SHABERU: Download
Acoustic model distribution page

4th place. Standard reading function

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

Smartphone standard reading function

iOS devices such as iPhone and Android devices such as Xperia and OPPO have a reading function as standard on the smartphone itself.

However, in the case of the standard reading function, there are the following concerns. However, if you just want to use the reading function, it's enough.

• Cannot download / difficult
• Not available for commercial use / I don't know if it can be done

[For iOS devices such as iPhone]

• Method 1: Ask Siri. Say: "Read the screen aloud."
• Method 2: Choose Settings> Accessibility> Read Content.
  Select the item you like, such as reading the selected item aloud.

Source: iPhone User Guide

[For Android devices]

Settings app Open the settings app.
Select Accessibility> Text-to-speech output.
Select the engine, language, reading speed, and pitch to use.

Source: Android accessibility features

Windows standard reading function

A Windows PC also has a reading function as standard.

Narrator can be launched in a variety of ways. Many users prefer the following four methods:

1. Hold down the Windows logo key on your keyboard and press Enter.
2. On tablets, hold down the Windows logo button and press the volume up button together.
3. On the sign-in screen, tap or click the Easy Action Button in the lower left corner and select Narrator.
4. Swipe from the right edge of the screen, 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, and click Settings> Change PC Settings). Tap or click Easy, Narrator, and move the slider under Narrator to enable Narrator.

Source: Microsoft

Mac standard reading function (VoiceOver)

A Mac computer also has a reading function as standard.

Choose Apple Menu> System Preferences, click Accessibility, and then click Read Content.

Source: MacOS User Guide

5th place. Coe station

The app version of Coes Station provided by Coeste Co., Ltd. can be used as software to read out your own voice.

By reading out the specified text pattern, the accuracy will improve and you can improve the quality of reading out the text.

The app version of the audio cannot be used for commercial purposes. For corporate use, you need to inquire about the charges separately.

【Operating environment】

• iOS

Official: Coe Station

6th place. Google translate

I want to read it aloud. If that's the case, Google Translate is quick and easy to use.

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

Since there is no description about commercial use, it is safe to think that it is basically impossible. Also, there is no download function.

【Operating environment】

• All terminals connected to the Internet (smartphones, tablets, PCs, etc.)

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