Top 5 Recommended English Text-to-Speech Software: Free, Paid, & Commercial Use

Hello, thank you for always using Ondoku.

Text-to-speech software has been increasingly utilized in various situations recently.

Text-to-speech software is extremely convenient once you start using it, and it will likely become one of the essential technologies for our future lives.

Therefore, in this article, we will introduce 5 popular and recommended text-to-speech software in English-speaking countries.

We will also introduce whether these five text-to-speech software programs can be used for commercial purposes.

Related articles on recommended text-to-speech software for English reading

In this article, we provide a detailed explanation of text-to-speech software and web services recommended for reading English aloud.

Please take a look.

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Popular and Recommended Text-to-Speech Software in English-Speaking Countries

1. Ondoku
2. Amazon polly
3. Natural Reader
4. Watson
5. oddcast

Ondoku

Ondoku Official Website

Ondoku is a text-to-speech software characterized by its simple, easy-to-understand page and user-friendly UI.

Although I referred to it as software, it is not a download version, but a SaaS that can be used on the website.

The pricing plans are clear and simple.

• 5,000 characters/month: Free
• 200,000 characters/month: 9.99 USD/month
• 450,000 characters/month: 19.99 USD/month
• 1,000,000 characters/month: 29.99 USD/month

In this way, you can start using it for free.

Even free members can download audio, making it a widely usable and convenient service.

Features of Ondoku

• Commercial use possible even with free usage
• Text-to-speech available for free
• Abundant speakers
• Can read aloud on the web
• MP3 download possible
• User-friendly UI and easy to use
• Supports not only English but also 33 languages worldwide

If you're unsure, we recommend trying Ondoku first!

Amazon Polly

Amazon Polly Official Website

Amazon Polly is Amazon's text-to-speech service that launched in December 2016.

More than 24 languages and 44 speakers are available, covering many languages.

By using the API, it can be integrated into various software and services.

However, without the skills to use the API, you cannot fully utilize Amazon Polly's services.

While you can listen to demo audio on the website, using the API is mandatory for reading arbitrary text or integrating it into a service.

Features of Amazon Polly

• Commercial use possible
• API mandatory
• Abundant speakers
• Supports not only English but also 24 languages worldwide

Natural Reader

Natural Reader Official Website

Natural Reader is a tool developed for those who are not good at reading text or those who cannot read text due to disabilities.

It is a SaaS that can be used immediately on a web browser without the need for downloading.

When using it,

• Personal use
• Commercial use

The available input screens differ based on the above.

[Personal Use]

Free users can use "Premium Voices" for 20 minutes a day and "Plus Voices" for only 5 minutes a day.

If you wish to use it more than this, a paid subscription is required.

[Commercial Use]

Free use is not available.

If you wish to use it, a paid subscription is required.

Features of Natural Reader

• Commercial use not possible with a standard license
• Commercial use license available
• Abundant speakers
• Can read aloud on the web
• MP3 download possible (Paid version only)
• User-friendly UI and easy to use
• Supports over 17 languages worldwide, not just English

Watson

Watson Official Website

Watson is a text-to-speech service developed and provided by IBM.

Like Amazon, usage of the API is mandatory.

However, as far as the terms of use go, commercial use is not allowed for Watson. Since it seems to be limited to personal use only, please be very careful when using it.

https://www.ibm.com/demos/live/tts-demo/self-service/home

Features of Watson

• Commercial use not possible
• API mandatory
• Abundant speakers

oddcast

oddcast Official Website

Oddcast is a unique text-to-speech site.

It can read up to 600 characters, and characters such as people or animals are projected speaking on the right half of the screen.

Depending on the character, it might be a little scary, but it is a unique service unlike any other.

Features of oddcast

• No mention of commercial use
• Abundant speakers
• Character projection feature

Why not use popular text-to-speech software conveniently?

This time, we introduced five popular text-to-speech services.

The world is very wide, and if you look for them, there are several other types of text-to-speech software and sites. We will introduce those on another occasion.

Personally, my recommendation is still Ondoku.

An easy-to-read website and understanding how to use it at a glance are very important.

Please add it as one of your options.

We look forward to seeing you.