If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a long article or report, only to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of reading it, you’re not alone. In our fast-paced world, we often have no choice but to absorb information on a tight schedule. Thankfully, text-to-speech technology can help ease the burden. It lets users listen to written content, transforming how we digest information. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of a free Speechify alternative, as well as the top features to look for in the best text-to-speech tool. From natural-sounding voices to multi-language support and adjustable playback speeds, we’ll cover what really matters. By the end, you’ll be ready to choose a solution that meets your needs and helps you reach your goals.
Voice AI’s text-to-speech tool is an excellent free Speechify alternative that offers fantastic functionality without the price tag. It can help you tackle your reading list by providing a seamless way to listen to written content at any time.
Is There a Free Alternative to Speechify?
Speechify is a popular text-to-speech app that converts written text into audio. The app excels at helping individuals with learning disabilities, such as:
- Dyslexia
- ADHD
- Autism
However, its high-quality voice options also appeal to professionals who want to streamline their workloads and improve productivity.
Users can upload documents to the app, listen to the content being read aloud, and even adjust the reading speed. The audio can be customized with various voices and accents for a more personalized experience. In addition to helping users read more effectively, Speechify also facilitates information retention by allowing them to listen to text rather than reading it themselves.
Why Look for Speechify Alternatives?
Speechify’s free plan limits users to 100 minutes of voice generation per month, which can be restrictive for individuals who listen to articles, PDFs, or emails on a daily basis. For example, an average audiobook lasts 6–12 hours, meaning free users can’t even finish one book.
Students and professionals may also find this frustrating, especially since unused minutes don’t roll over. This often leads users to upgrade to Speechify Premium for unlimited voice generation, but the price is high.
How Much Does Speechify Cost?
Speechify offers four convenient pricing plans, which include:
- Free Listen at speeds up to 1.5x
- Listen anywhere
- 10 robotic-sounding voices
- Text-to-speech features only
- Basic Monthly $29.00 /Month 200+ high-quality, natural voices 60+ different languages
- Offline MP3 download
- Listen at 5x faster speeds
- Advanced skipping and importing
- A Summaries & Chats
- Professional $32.08 per user / month
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine Learning (ML)
- Generative AI
- Text-to-Video AI Avatars
- Standard, lower-quality voices (compared to AI options)
Speechify Voice Quality and Naturalness
Speechify offers natural-sounding voices, particularly in its premium plan, which includes AI-enhanced voices that closely mimic human speech. However, some users have noted that the free-tier voices can sound robotic compared to more advanced AI options.
Although Speechify offers multiple accents and languages, some users find that intonation and pacing can seem unnatural, particularly in complex sentences.
Speechify’s Premium Voice Limitations and Alternatives
One user shared their frustration, saying, “Speechify does have a top limit for the premium voices, which I hit at the 3-week mark. The whole point of premium is to access the voices. I won’t be renewing.”
In comparison, Speechify’s competitors, such as ElevenLabs, utilize deep learning models, which offer smoother intonation and emotional depth. These platforms enable more customization, including adjustments to tone, speed, and style. While Speechify remains a solid choice, those in need of more lifelike, realistic AI voices might find these alternatives better suited for professional or long-form content.
Waiting for Reset
One major inconvenience of Speechify’s 100-minute monthly limit is the waiting period before the listening time resets. Once users hit the cap, they must wait until the next billing cycle to regain access unless they upgrade to a paid plan. This can be particularly frustrating for students, professionals, or audiobook listeners who rely on text-to-speech regularly.
If they run out of minutes mid-task, they either have to switch to another tool or pause their workflow until the reset. Unlike some alternatives that offer daily or weekly refreshes, Speechify’s rigid monthly limit leaves users without flexibility. This restriction often forces those who need continuous access to consider upgrading or seeking a tool with a more generous free-tier structure.
Paywalls on Features
Beyond the 100-minute limit, Speechify’s free plan also locks several other key features behind a paywall. This can frustrate users expecting more from a basic version.
Playback speed control, for example, is restricted, meaning free users can’t adjust reading speed beyond a specific limit. This is something Speechify competitors often provide for free.
Speechify Free Tier Limitations and User Dissatisfaction
Other premium-only features, like camera-based text import and access to higher-quality voices, further limit the free experience.
Here’s an opinion from a former Speechify user:
“Speechify used to be my go-to app to get required readings done, but the app doesn’t even work for me anymore. Ever since everything has been paywalled the app will constantly lag and freeze over. Needless to say, I don’t want to pay a small fortune just for an app that I can’t even use.”
Whether it’s seeking a different set of features, pricing options, or better voice quality, the abundance of choices in the TTS app market can leave you wondering if there’s something better out there. Naturally, it’s essential to remember that what’s better is subjective; it all depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Related Reading
- What Is TTS
- Voice Over Software
- Text-to-Speech Software For Students
- Best Free Text To Speech
- Text-to-Speech Google Docs
- Best AI Text To Speech
- TTS Bot Discord
25 Free Speechify Alternatives
1. Voice AI – The Fastest Way to Real, Human-Sounding Voiceovers
Tired of robotic narration or hitting usage limits with tools like Speechify? Voice AI gives you studio-quality text-to-speech with lifelike emotion, clarity, and tone, all for free. Our AI voices sound like real people, not machines, making them perfect for content creators, educators, and developers who need voiceovers that genuinely connect with their audiences.
- 100% free to start: No credit limits or forced upgrades
- Premium-quality AI voices: Choose from dozens of human-like voice styles in multiple languages
- Fast voice generation: Get results in seconds, even with long scripts
- Developer-friendly: Use our API to add voice to any app, game, or tool
- No setup, no fluff: Just pick a voice, paste your text, and download professional audio
Whether you’re creating explainer videos, training material, narration for eBooks, or dynamic characters in your apps, Voice AI gives you the power of a voiceover studio—on demand, for free.
Try it now and hear the difference quality makes.
2. ElevenReader
Strengths:
- Unlimited premium voices for 100% free: ElevenReader provides access to hundreds of unique voices and can be used in 32 languages. Meanwhile, Speechify only allows you to choose from 10 standard reading voices in five languages.
- Unlimited listening time: ElevenReader provides unlimited listening per month for free, compared to Speechify, which provides only 100 minutes (less than 2 hours) per month for free
- Superior AI voice quality: ElevenReader voices are optimized for natural intonation, emotions, and contextual adaptation. They feature subtle variations in speech, such as pauses, inflections, and emphasis, making voices sound more authentic. In contrast, Speechify voices often sound more robotic or synthetic, especially if you run out of credits on the free plan.
- AI podcasts: with ElevenReader, you can create AI podcasts for free using GenFM
- Iconic voices – this makes ElevenReader stand out not only from Speechify, but also other TTS tools on the market. We’re proud to have some of the world’s most iconic voices exclusively, in partnerships with their estates. Voices include Burt Reynolds, John Wayne, and James Dean.
Weaknesses:
If you’re not a tech-savvy person, then you might be slightly overwhelmed with all the customization options. Over time, however, these allow for a better experience than Speechify.
3. iSpeech
The first free alternative to Speechify is the iSpeech text-to-speech generator. This generator is designed for individuals who read in a language other than their native language, as well as those with dyslexia, learning disabilities, and vision impairments.
iSpeech offers tools for generating IVR prompts, creating audio content for websites, and enhancing accessibility features in mobile apps. Whether you’re a developer building a voice-enabled app or a company creating engaging e-learning content, iSpeech is a reliable solution. It also offers a free online demo, making it easy for users to try it before committing to a plan.
Features
- It supports 27 languages and features realistic voices with diverse accents.
- It offers three reading speeds, instant top-notch, natural-sounding audio, and either a male or female voice.
- You can download the audio in various formats and convert introductory text and e-books into speech.
- You can modify audio with background music, speed, and pitch.
Pros
- Free
- Lots of customization features
Cons
- Minimal interface
4. eSpeak
The next text-to-speech competitor is eSpeak. For Windows and Linux, eSpeak is a small open-source text-to-speech engine for English and various other languages.
Features
- Other programs can utilize it as a Windows SAPI 5 version or a shared library.
- It can change voices and adjust background music, speed, and pitch.
- It supports HTML and SSML markup languages.
- It can turn text into sound using MBROLA voices.
Pros
- Open source
- Many different languages
Cons
- Quality varies
5. Murf AI
Murf AI is one of the most advanced Speechify alternatives in 2025, catering mainly to professionals in content creation, marketing, and e-learning. Unlike basic text-to-speech tools, Murf.ai offers over 120 lifelike AI voices across more than 20 languages. Its advanced voice customization features, such as:
- Pitch control
- Speed adjustment
- Emotional tone selection
Murf is a voice generation tool with advanced features like voice cloning, real-time collaboration tools, and audio editing capabilities. It’s ideal for users who want more control and creativity, such as YouTubers, podcasters, and instructional designers. However, its professional-grade focus may be overkill for those just wanting to read articles or documents aloud, as it has a steeper learning curve.
Pricing
- Free plan
- Premium starts at $19/month
6. Natural Reader
Another Speechify alternative, Natural Reader, helps you read any kind of text, like PDF files, Microsoft Word documents, Emails, and more. It’s a helpful tool that lets people easily read office documents, e-books, and even school notes on their PCs or mobile devices.
Features
- It provides 27 languages and diverse, natural-sounding voices.
- It converts PDFs, e-books, and text to speech, offering various audio download formats.
- It has a speech platform with speech recognition APIs, along with open-source SDKs.
- It can add voice to mobile apps and IVR prompts using hosted TTS.
Pros
- Natural voices
- Easy-to-use
- OCR scanning
- Various format supported
- Dyslexia feature
Cons
- Customer service is limited
- Sometimes glitches
7. Verbify-TTS
Verbify-TTS is an easy-to-use and one of the best alternatives to Speechify tool that uses advanced AI models to turn text on the screen into natural-sounding speech using high-quality voices. The MIT license gives you unlimited time to use it (Open Source).
Features
- It works with a desktop app that lets you highlight text with the mouse.
- It provides excellent AI-powered voices.
- No need to sign up or pay, and your data stays on the device.
- Modify audio with background music, speed and pitch.
- It can quickly add voice-overs to PowerPoint files or videos without any video editing skills.
- It can make unique brand voices in 10 seconds.
Pros
- Offline operation
- Customizable
Cons
- Quality limitation
8. TextMagic
You can compose a written message, and with the TextMagic Speechify alternative Text-to-speech feature, you can change it into a phone call to reach any mobile or landline anywhere in the world.
Features
- It converts text into voice, delivering it to any landline or mobile worldwide.
- It provides 19 languages, various voice characteristics (e.g., male, female), and other accents.
- It features the fastest and most effective TTS SaaS, pending a patent.
- Modify audio with background music, speed, and pitch.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Customization option
- Value for money
Cons
- Limited integrations
9. Play.ht
Speechify is one of the best free alternatives to Play. Ht. It is a handy tool that can be used in lots of different languages. It helps make voice generation better and more realistic using Play.ht’s Text-to-Speech models.
Features
- It features the fastest and most effective TTS SaaS, pending a patent.
- Modify audio with background music, speed, and pitch.
- It provides over 900 AI voices in more than 100 languages and various dialects.
- It can easily insert AI-generated voice-overs into PowerPoint presentations or videos.
Pros
- Variety of voice options
- Affordable
- Responsive customer support
Cons
- Robotic voices
10. Resemble AI
Resemble AI Speechify is a free alternative to AI speech synthesis tools, specializing in creating realistic fake voices using advanced technology. It is a text-to-speech tool with live APIs, enabling the creation of captivating experiences.
Features
- It provides over 900 AI voices in more than 100 languages and various dialects.
- It can make a unique brand voice in 10 seconds.
- It can easily insert AI-generated voice-overs into PowerPoint presentations or videos.
- TTS service for hosted and embedded mobile apps and websites.
Pros
- Create a Custom voice
- High-quality voices
- Real-time voice cloning
- Emotion feature
Cons
- Voice limitations
11. Uberduck.ai
Uberduck.ai is a free tool for making realistic audio with text. You cannot access commercial-use voices with the free plan.
Features
- API Documentation
- User-friendly interface
- Synthetic media output
- Voice library
- Voice cloning
- TTS feature
Pros
- Wide range of voices
- Real-time voice cloning
Cons
- Limited language support
12. SpeakLine
Type some words, choose a voice, and then your PC will read them aloud with the SpeakLine Speechify alternative. Have fun listening to your words in humorous voices or reading texts in your own language.
Features
- Import RTF or TXT files
- Save the texts as TXT files or AIFF audio.
- Choose from various voices in diverse languages.
- Adjust reading speed
- Customize UI with Dark Mode
- Add system voices in System Preferences.
Pros
- Free
- Customizable
Cons
- Needs improvement
13. TTSMaker
TTSMaker effortlessly transforms text into natural speech online. It’s a vital tool for content creators, language learners, and anyone in need of text-to-speech. TTSMaker boasts support for over 100 languages, powered by a robust neural network.
Features
- Support for over 100 languages and diverse voice styles.
- Provides audio downloads and online listening.
- It is user-friendly and comes with a comprehensive manual.
- Provides customer support
- Great for education materials and language learning
Pros
- Free trial
- Natural speech
- Easy to use
Cons
- Glitches
14. Simplified
Make a fantastic AI-generated voice using the Simplified Speechify alternative! Their editing studio utilizes voices that sound like humans to bring the brand’s message to life in your videos. Simplified software quickly creates speech that sounds just like talking naturally! Simplified is also an AI GIF generator, but it is better at generating AI voices.
Features
- High-Quality voices
- Add to audio & video clips
Pros
- Quick and simple
- Removal of unwanted sounds
Cons
- Emotional limitation
15. Read Aloud Extension
Text-to-speech is a helpful tool that enables computers to speak by reading written words aloud. People also refer to it as “Read-aloud” technology sometimes. With just a button press or a finger tap, TTS can change words on your PC or any digital device into sound.
Features
- Supports over 40 languages
- Ad-free
- Browser Extension
- Read aloud technology
- Supports PDF
Pros
- Great interface
- Support various text formats
Cons
- Not available on all platforms
16. Topmediai
TopMediai Speechify alternative tool utilizes advanced technology to create voices that sound realistic in more than 70 languages & accents, including Japanese, Spanish, British English, French, and Irish. This is ideal for presentations, voiceovers, and other projects that require sound.
Features
- 3200+ voices and 70+ languages
- Voice cloner
- Dubbing & voice-over
- Convert text to speech in WAV, MP3, and more formats.
- Perfect for businesses, podcasters, content creators, etc.
Pros
- Cloud-based tool
- Simple to use
- Excellent support
Cons
- Inaccurate results
17. iMyFone VoxBox
iMyFone VoxBox is a website similar to Speechify that utilizes AI to create voices and clones.
It can convert text into speech in 46 languages, featuring over 3,200 different voices. It creates natural-sounding voiceovers for all types of content, eliminating the need for specialized recording equipment or professional voice actors.
Features
- Voice Cloning
- Supports 3200+ Voices in 46 Languages
- High-Quality Audio Output
- Supports Various Adjustment
Pros
- Versatility
- High-quality output
Cons
- Imperfect voice mimicry
18. ReadAloud
ReadAloud turns written words into spoken ones, helping people who find reading challenging, such as those with dyslexia or children learning to read.
ReadAloud reads from various sources, including websites, news, blogs, school materials, and online courses.
Features
- Support various document types
- Adjust pitch, speech, and voice.
- It works with 40+ voices from Amazon Polly, IBM Watson, and Microsoft.
Pros
- Browser extension available
- Simple interface
Cons
- No mobile app
19. Amazon Polly
Amazon Polly, a free alternative to Speechify, uses machine learning to create voices that sound like humans when reading text aloud. Amazon Polly helps users create apps that can speak in multiple languages. Ideal for developers and businesses, Polly enables seamless integration of lifelike voices into applications, products, or services. Apps like Speechify support over 60 languages and dialects, ensuring global accessibility and a diverse range of voice options.
One of Polly’s standout features is its API access, making it ideal for developers who want to integrate realistic speech synthesis into their apps or devices. While Polly is well-suited for scalable solutions, it requires some technical knowledge to get started, which can make it less accessible for those without prior cloud service experience.
Features
- 30+ languages
- NTTS
- Pay-per-use model
Pros
- Realistic neural voices
- Personalized Lexicon
- Adjustable speed and pitch
Cons
- Limited customization
20. TexVoz
TexVoz converts text into human-like speech, enabling you to create audiobooks, podcasts, and more. It helps create new speech-based products and turns documents into audio files for easy listening anywhere.
Features
- 630+ voices and 70+ languages
- Customization
- API
Pros
- Stunning audio options
User-friendly
Cons
- Limited features
21. iPlayText
iPlayText converts text into speech, allowing you to listen to it. It works on iPad and iPhone, great for reading Wikipedia articles and giving your eyes a rest.
Features
- No ads
- Multi-language support
- Offline feature
Pros
- User-friendly
- Simple interface
Cons
- Lag
22. Balabolka
Balabolka is a classic, no-frills alternative to Speechify for Windows users who need a reliable, offline text-to-speech solution. It supports a wide range of file formats, including:
- DOCX
- EPUB
- PPTX
It also supports clipboard reading, batch file conversion, and synchronized text display, which is great for visually tracking what’s being read.
Unlike many modern tools that require an internet connection, Balabolka works offline, making it ideal for users in secure or low-bandwidth environments. It allows pronunciation corrections using regular expressions, and can even save LRC (lyric-style) files alongside audio for karaoke-style playback. For students, educators, or anyone working with large documents, Balabolka is a dependable, lightweight tool.
23. Voice Dream Reader
Voice Dream Reader is a top choice for individuals seeking a powerful Speechify alternatives solution with accessibility in mind. It is designed for individuals with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or ADHD, and offers a variety of features tailored to enhance the user experience. Whether reading textbooks, articles, PDFS, or emails, Voice Dream Reader provides clarity and ease with customizable voices, read-aloud speed, and highlighted text tracking.
This app is highly versatile, working offline to maintain user privacy and fast load times, making it perfect for use on the go without internet access. It integrates seamlessly with cloud storage services such as:
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- Bookshare
The Apple ecosystem offers a limited and expensive option for extensive voice customization, with users having to pay for additional voices.
24. Capti Voice
Capti Voice is a versatile and education-focused text-to-speech app developed by researchers to support students, educators, and individuals with disabilities. It allows users to listen to web pages, books, PDFs, and more, helping improve comprehension, focus, and reading fluency.
With a playlist-based interface and the ability to import documents from platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Bookshare, Capti Voice is ideal for academic environments. The free app, Speechify, is suitable for basic use, but its Premium Plan unlocks advanced features like editing, improved voices, translation, and note-taking. Users can create highlights and side notes within documents, making it a powerful study tool.
25. Zabaware Text-to-Speech
Zabaware Text-to-Speech Reader is a Windows-based TTS software that quietly delivers powerful reading capabilities. Despite its dated interface, it supports multiple file formats and reads aloud any copied text instantly. It’s beneficial for converting text content from the clipboard or dialog boxes to speech.
The app is free for personal use, with optional paid voices and translation features. It can even convert text into WAV files, although it lacks support for exporting to modern audio formats like MP3. Zabaware is best suited as a Speechify competitor for students, researchers, or everyday users looking for a cost-effective and straightforward way to listen to text content on Windows.
Related Reading
- Text To Speech API
- Microsoft Text To Speech
- Text-to-Speech Chrome Extension
- ElevenLabs Alternatives
- Speechify Alternatives
- ElevenLabs Pricing
Try our Text to Speech Tool for Free Today
Stop spending hours on voiceovers or settling for robotic-sounding narration. Voice.ai‘s text-to-speech tool delivers natural, human-like voices that capture emotion and personality, making it perfect for content creators, developers, and educators who need professional audio quickly.
Choose from our library of AI voices, generate speech in multiple languages, and transform your projects with voiceovers that sound real.
Try our text-to-speech tool for free today and hear the difference quality makes.
