The best free voice app
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Find out where to get the best free voice samples and why text to speech software is one of the best sources of free voices.
The best free voice app
Voice technology has changed much about how people access and absorb information online. People generally watch more videos than they read articles, podcasts are in huge demand, and YouTube videos have some of the best tutorials and how-to guides.
Imagine a world where everyone can access written content effortlessly. Text-to-voice conversion technology has made this a reality. By harnessing the power of algorithms and artificial intelligence, text-to-voice tools have revolutionized the way we consume information. Whether it's a news article, a blog post, or an e-book, these tools can transform written text into an immersive audio experience.
Chances are you may need a free voice to spruce up your content. Or you can use voice technology to help make the internet more accessible to people with dyslexia, ADHD, reading difficulties, and visual impairment. Information read aloud can ensure fewer people become deprived of entertainment and knowledge.
If you don’t want to record content in your voice or can’t, free voices aren’t hard to come by if you know where to look.
Why might you need a free voice?
It makes web pages more accessible
Many people have reading disabilities or visual impairments, but they still need to access web content as much as everyone else. Voice assistance can help people browse their favorite web pages almost as easily as those without difficulties. In addition, having narrations can help users consume content and absorb and retain information easier.
You can create e-Learning materials
Modern learning trends implement more tools and assistive technology. People need more engagement to learn and retain information. Since e-Learning can distract students, course materials must capture their attention. Voiceovers and narrations cater to auditory listeners and anyone who struggles to focus. Listening and reading simultaneously can simplify complex topics and help go through long-format text faster.
It makes creating tutorials easier
Everyone needs tutorials for something, from how to hammer nails to building a PC and everything in between. Tutorials and guides are among the most searched content topics online. But given the complexity of some tutorials, users may prefer video and audio tutorials instead of written ones. Narration is easy to speed up, slow down, stop, resume, rewind, etc. People can do the work, go back to the tutorial, and not waste time reading. Processing vocal instructions is faster, especially when following a tutorial.
It can create or read scripts
Another area where you might need a free voice is interacting with scripts. Whether writing or reading a script, having another voice is helpful. Writers can get a better sense of the story once read aloud. Actors can use voiceovers to run lines, understand the story, or rehearse while doing other activities or practicing character mannerisms.
It can enhance video game development
Not everyone has the capital to hire professional voice actors or rent a studio to record voices. Free voices can help developers save money during production without worrying about copyright infringement or low-quality dialog and narration.
Where can you get free voices?
There are two fantastic ways to access free voices for personal and commercial use.
Text to speech software
Text to speech technology (TTS) is software that enables you to convert text into speech or voice output. Although this technology has experienced its fair share of challenges over the years, today, it is quite advanced. It works particularly well combined with deep learning algorithms and artificial intelligence.
TTS apps can recognize and interpret complex sentences and multiple languages and use AI-assisted speech synthesis to generate natural-sounding voices. Moreover, text to speech software may also feature OCR or optical character recognition.
This can enable users to create free voices for digital text and read text scanned from hardcopy documents and illustrations aloud.
One of the best things about text to speech software is that you can find many apps for various platforms and operating systems like Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, etc.
Voice changer apps
Using your voice to read text is arguably one of the best ways to get the diction, cadence, and tone you want. However, what if you don’t want to record something in your voice? That’s why voice change apps exist.
Voice changer apps can disguise your voice for a recording, during phone calls, and even when video conferencing. It’s a quick way to play a prank on someone, give unique voices to multiple characters in a script, make YouTube videos while remaining anonymous, etc.
In addition, some voice changers let you add special voice effects and change your voice to one very similar to your favorite celebrity.
Some voice changer apps include:
- Baviux Voice Changer
- Snapchat
- Voice Changer Plus
- Live Voice Changer Prankcall
- VoiceMaker
Whether you want a voice changer app or text to speech software comes down to personal preference, goals, and other factors.
Choosing the best voice app: A guide to text-to-speech and voice changer apps
When selecting the best voice app, whether it’s for text-to-speech (TTS) or voice changing purposes, it’s crucial to consider several factors to ensure you get the most out of the application. Here’s a guide to help you make an informed decision:
First, think about how easy the app is to use. You want an app that's simple to navigate and doesn't make things complicated. If you mostly use Firefox for browsing the internet, make sure the app works well with it. A good app will let you find and change settings without any fuss, making it fun to use.
Next, pay attention to how the voice sounds. You want it to sound clear and real, not robotic. Some apps, like the ones using Google’s WaveNet, are really good at this. So, always listen to a few voice samples before deciding.
It's also cool if the app can speak in different languages and accents. Maybe you want to hear something in Italian or Portuguese. Or perhaps you're chatting with friends from different countries. A good app will give you lots of language and accent choices.
Being able to change how the voice sounds is also important. Some apps let you adjust how fast the voice speaks or how high or low it sounds. Some even let you make your own voice profiles. This is great if you want to make content that's welcoming to everyone.
Think about what else the app can do. Some apps can follow voice commands, read out your emails, or work with other apps you have. This can make things a lot easier and save you time.
Make sure the app works well with your phone or computer and other apps you use. If you have an Amazon Echo, for example, it's a bonus if the app can work with Alexa.
Safety first! Always pick an app that keeps your information safe and private, especially if you're sharing personal stuff.
Now, let's talk about money. Some apps are free but might not have all the features. Others might cost a bit but give you more. Think about what you're getting for the price and if it's worth it.
Lastly, see what other people are saying. Check out the reviews and ratings on app stores. This can tell you a lot about how good the app is and if people like using it. Always go for apps that have lots of good feedback.
So, there you have it! Keep these tips in mind, and you'll find the perfect voice app in no time.
Speechify – The TTS app that offers access to dozens of voices
If you need access to free voices quickly and don’t want to waste time making them from scratch or recordings, Speechify might be an app to consider. The TTS reader comes with an extensive voice library and plenty of free options for non-premium users.
The Speechify TTS reader can generate narrations for the text you write, copy, or upload from various documents. It’s compatible with Android, Google Chrome, Safari, Windows, iOS (iPhone and iPad), and macOS. You can use Speechify AI voices to hear your text in real-time in a male or female voice and even download MP3 files or WAVs of the recordings.
You can get Speechify from the App Store or use the online tool to access human voices, giving your text more depth and making your characters more believable with new voices. Try Speechify for free and leverage its voice generator to create high-quality content.
FAQ
Is VoiceMaker a free app?
VoiceMaker has a free app and three paid membership plans that unlock more features.
Is Lovo Studio free?
Lovo Studio has a free membership limited to a few voices and personal use. The paid version allows members to use the voices in podcasts, audiobooks, and other commercial applications.
What is the difference between free and paid?
Some apps offer free voices but may have limited libraries. Paid versions of apps usually unlock more voices. The business model may differ between providers.
What are some text to speech apps?
NaturalReader, Speechify, Voice Aloud Reader, Murf.ai, Voice Dream Reader, and many TTS app providers have robust APIs you can use to get free online voices. Speechify has the best voice quality in real-time and audio file recordings.
Cliff Weitzman
Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.