7 Best Text-to-Speech Software for Commercial Use (Free & Paid)

Do you know what text-to-speech software is?

Text-to-speech software refers to software that converts documents such as text and characters into audio and reads them aloud.

In addition to reading in Japanese, some software supports multiple languages such as English, Chinese, German, Spanish, and Italian.

There are also convenient features such as being able to freely change the audio speed or download the audio as an MP3 file.

"I don't have any use for that kind of software," you might think.

But in fact, text-to-speech software is much closer to our daily lives than we might think.

Development of text-to-speech software is progressing rapidly for various purposes, and particularly now, text-to-speech software employing AI is being developed and offered as a service.

Even if you think, "Well, I want to actually try using it, so I'll look for some software," there are so many types that finding software that suits your taste from the vast ocean of the internet is quite difficult.

Therefore, this time, we will introduce a total of 7 recommended text-to-speech software options from both free and paid versions.

Recent text-to-speech software can read aloud realistically, just like a human voice! We have also prepared audio so you can listen right away, so please give it a try!

Related Articles on Recommended Text-to-Speech Software

These articles also introduce the latest information on recommended text-to-speech software!

Please take a look.

【2026 Latest】 10 Recommended Text-to-Speech Software! Introducing Free Software Available for Commercial Use

Comparing recommended text-to-speech software! Carefully introducing tools ranging from browser-based versions that require no installation to high-performance desktop versions, including free tools available for commercial use.

Introducing Recommended Free Text-to-Speech Software

Even if you think, "I want to try or test out text-to-speech software," you might feel hesitant about spending money to buy it.

For those of you, we will first introduce free software.

• Ondoku
• Textalk
• SoftTalk
• Bouyomi-chan
• Coestation

Ondoku

For those of you looking for text-to-speech software, we recommend the latest AI service, Ondoku.

It features a wide range of free usage and high-quality, easy-to-listen-to audio.

Since it can be used on the website, there is no need to install it on a computer or smartphone.

You can use it easily anywhere.

The multilingual support is extensive, covering more than 30 countries. Created audio can be downloaded immediately in MP3 format. Commercial use is also possible.

• Price: 0 yen - 2,980 yen
• Voice adjustment: Possible
• Voices: Over 180
• Multilingual: Over 30 languages
• Commercial use: Possible
• Operating environment: Computers and smartphones with an internet connection

If you are unsure which software to choose, we first recommend Ondoku.

Why not experience Ondoku's free text-to-speech for yourself?

Textalk

Textalk is text-to-speech software that adopts the free text-to-speech synthesis system "Open JTalk".

The version is old and updates stopped on 2015/02/03, so the quality is from before the advent of AI.

It is recommended for use if you don't mind what software you use as long as it is free.

• Voice adjustment: Possible
• Voices: 8
• Multilingual: Japanese, English
• Commercial use: Possible
• Operating environment: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista

Textalk

SoftTalk

Note: The following content is old. As of 2025, support for AquesTalk (Yukkuri Voice) has ended.

This software can read aloud with voices commonly referred to as "Yukkuri Voice".

The voice has a strong mechanical feel, so the clarity is not very high.

It is recommended when you want to create unique or distinctive presentations like "Yukkuri commentary" videos.

Although it is free software, detailed settings are possible, such as fast-forwarding and rewinding text line by line.

Regarding commercial use, restrictions may be set by the provider of the speech synthesis engine or library. Always make sure to check.

• Voice adjustment: Possible
• Voices: 28
• Multilingual: Japanese, English
• Commercial use: Partially possible
• Operating environment: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista

SoftTalk

Bouyomi-chan

Bouyomi-chan is software that incorporates AquesTalk.dll, the same as SoftTalk's audio.

Since it uses the same engine, it can read aloud with the same sound quality as SoftTalk.

Since it uses the older version of AquesTalk (for Win), commercial use is also possible.

It is recommended for video production using Yukkuri Voice.

• Voice adjustment: Possible
• Voices: 8
• Multilingual: English
• Commercial use: Possible
• Operating environment: Windows 7 or higher

Bouyomi-chan

Coestation

Coestation, provided by Coestation Inc., is an innovative service that allows you to use your own voice as text-to-speech software.

By reading specified text patterns, you can improve the accuracy of the automated text-to-speech.

Currently, it is only available as a smartphone app and cannot be used from a computer.

• Voice adjustment: Possible
• Voice: You
• Multilingual: Japanese
• Commercial use: Not possible
• Operating environment: iOS

Coestation

Paid Text-to-Speech Software

Next, we will introduce paid software.

• VOICEROID+
• Kantan! AITalk5
• Ondoku

VOICEROID+

VOICEROID+, a series sold by AHS Co., Ltd. since 2009.

The number of voices has steadily increased, and currently, VOICEROID+ has a lineup of 20 voices.

You can edit the reading style and intonation. By performing voice adjustment work, the audio becomes even smoother, as if a real human were reading.

This is the perfect software for those who want to create elaborate audio.

You can also download a trial version from the official page.

Regarding commercial use, commercial licenses for individuals are also available for purchase.

• Price: From 15,180 yen / 1 speaker
• Voice adjustment: Detailed settings possible
• Voices: 20
• Multilingual: Japanese, English
• Commercial use: Possible (Requires separate license purchase)
• Operating environment: Windows 10, Windows 8.1

【2026 Edition】 Complete Guide to VOICEROID! Detailed Explanation of History, Characters, Usage, and Voiro Culture

Introducing the history, characters, and latest usage for 2026 of VOICEROID. Explaining popular characters such as Yuzuki Yukari and Kotonoha Akane/Aoi, as well as Voiro culture, Voicevi, and software talk.

Kantan! AITalk5

AITalk, a series sold by AI Inc.

In "AITalk4 Koe no Shokunin" for corporations, development has progressed with the number of speakers increasing to 17.

In the case of Kantan! AITalk5, commercial and business use is basically not permitted for individuals.

However, some uses, such as narration for YouTube, can be used with a regular license.

Is it okay to upload to video sites such as YouTube and Niconico Douga?
Kantan! AITalk series

Permission is granted only for private use by individual customers (including ad display and affiliates). For specific cases, please see the use cases on this page.

Source: FQA

For more details on commercial use, please see the FQA page.

• Price: 16,500 yen / 5-speaker pack
• Voice adjustment: Detailed settings possible
• Voices: 7
• Multilingual: Japanese, English
• Commercial use: Basically not allowed (depending on the case)
• Operating environment: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7

Kantan! AITalk5

Comparison Table of Text-to-Speech Software

Overall, the recommended options are

If you want to use it simply and intuitively, Ondoku,

and if you want to focus on detailed adjustments and create something elaborate, it's VOICEROID+.

There are many different types of text-to-speech software!

I was surprised by how many software options there were as I was researching.

Even more surprising is the fact that text-to-speech software is being used for so many different purposes.

• Services that summarize the daily news for reading in just 5 minutes
• Used for narration in the program "Moyamoya Summers 2"
• Used as narration for YouTube

In this way, text-to-speech software has truly become a familiar presence.

There were some software options that I couldn't fully introduce here. I will introduce those on another occasion.

I would be happy if you could read other blogs or watch YouTube besides this article!

Well then, I look forward to meeting you again.