Play.ht: reviews, features, pros, and cons in 2024

The ultimate guide to Play.ht

In the world of text to speech (TTS) apps Play.ht is one of the leading options. It’s a powerful piece of software that turns any written content into fully audible speech.

A testament to its quality is the number of the world’s top brands that use its services. From Hyundai to Samsung, Play.ht is almost everywhere. Then again, it’s also an app for beginner YouTube video creators and startup businesses. So, let’s see what’s all the fuss about.

Services

At its core, Play.ht is an AI voice generation tool. The user runs text through it, and the app reads it aloud back to them. It does so with the help of artificial intelligence voice actors. There are over 800 natural-sounding voices and more than 130 different languages and accents.

Of course, everything is customizable. You can change the volume, reading speed, the way the speech feels, and even adjust the pitch of the AI voice. Moreover, Play.ht can also work as a voice cloning tool, scanning your voice and reproducing it immaculately.

Once you’re done with entering the text and setting things up, the audio will be ready for download. You can obtain it in MP3 and WAV formats, meaning high-quality audio files. Be it a voice-over or something else—you’re also free to do whatever you desire with the file.

Exploring the features of Play.ht in 2023

Play.ht has come a long way since its inception. It has become one of the most popular text-to-speech software in the market, and for good reason. The software is designed to make your life easier, and it does just that.

One of the most impressive features of Play.ht is how easy it is to use. The software has a simple and intuitive interface that allows you to quickly get started without having to watch long tutorials or read through lengthy manuals. You can start using the software right away, even if you have no prior experience with text-to-speech software.

Another great feature of Play.ht is its wide range of voices and languages. With Play.ht, you can choose from a variety of voices and languages to suit your needs. Whether you need a male or female voice, a British or American accent, or even a voice in a language other than English, Play.ht has got you covered.

But that’s not all. Play.ht also has a browser extension that works seamlessly with many popular platforms such as Medium, WordPress, and Google Docs. This feature enables you to add an audio version of your writings with just a few clicks. It’s a great way to make your content more accessible to a wider audience, especially those who prefer to listen rather than read.

Moreover, Play.ht’s browser extension is incredibly easy to use. All you have to do is install the extension, and it will automatically detect any text on the page you’re viewing. You can then click on the Play.ht icon and listen to the text being read out loud. It’s that simple!

Overall, Play.ht is a fantastic tool that can help you save time and make your content more accessible to a wider audience. Whether you’re a blogger, a writer, or a content creator, Play.ht is definitely worth checking out.

Pros and cons of Play.ht

Play.ht is an innovative platform that has revolutionized the way we create and share audio content. It has gained immense popularity in recent years due to its realistic and human-like voices, easy-to-use interface, and seamless integration with popular platforms. However, like any other technology, Play.ht has its share of pros and cons.

Pros

• Highly realistic and human-like voices: Play.ht offers some of the most realistic and human-like voices in the market. These voices are generated using advanced text-to-speech technology that mimics the nuances of human speech, making them sound natural and engaging.
• Easy to use interface: Play.ht has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for anyone to create and share audio content. The platform offers a range of customization options, including the ability to add background music, adjust the pace of the voiceover, and more.
• Ability to personalize projects with custom voiceovers: Play.ht allows users to personalize their projects by adding custom voiceovers. This is particularly useful for businesses that want to create branded content or for individuals who want to add a personal touch to their audio content.
• Seamless integration with popular platforms: Play.ht integrates seamlessly with popular platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud, making it easy to share audio content across multiple channels.

Cons

• Limited number of voice options available: While Play.ht offers a range of realistic voices, the number of options available is limited. This can be a drawback for businesses or individuals who require a specific type of voice for their projects.
• Requires internet connectivity to work: Play.ht is a cloud-based platform, which means it requires internet connectivity to work. This can be a problem for users who do not have access to a stable internet connection.
• Not suitable for long texts or books due to high costs: Play.ht can be expensive for long texts or books. This is because the platform charges per word, which can add up quickly for longer projects.

Despite its limitations, Play.ht remains a popular choice for businesses and individuals looking to create engaging audio content. With its advanced text-to-speech technology and user-friendly interface, it has become an indispensable tool for content creators across industries.

What to expect from Play.ht in 2023

The team behind Play.ht is always striving to provide the best user experience possible. In 2023, they are planning to roll out some exciting updates that will make Play.ht even more accessible and user-friendly.

More voice options

One of the most significant updates that Play.ht users can expect in 2023 is the addition of more voice options. Currently, Play.ht offers a range of voices to choose from, but the team is working on expanding this selection to cater to an even wider audience. This means that users will be able to choose from a range of accents and languages, making Play.ht an even more versatile tool for content creators and marketers.

Mobile app

Another exciting development that Play.ht users can look forward to is the release of a mobile app. The app will be available on both iOS and Android, making it easier than ever to use Play.ht on-the-go. This means that users will be able to create high-quality audio content from anywhere, at any time. Whether you’re on a train, in a coffee shop, or waiting for a meeting to start, you’ll be able to use Play.ht to create engaging audio content in minutes.

Improved user Interface

Finally, the Play.ht team is working on improving the user interface to make it even more intuitive and user-friendly. This means that users will be able to navigate the platform more easily, find the features they need more quickly, and create high-quality audio content with ease. Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or a first-time user, the improved user interface will make it easier than ever to use Play.ht to create engaging audio content.

Overall, there are some exciting updates on the horizon for Play.ht users. With the addition of more voice options, a mobile app, and an improved user interface, Play.ht is set to become an even more powerful tool for content creators and marketers in 2023.

Uses and applications

Play.ht has numerous use cases. First, individuals with reading difficulties can use it to consume written content like the rest. On the other hand, it’s a great match for students who want to create e-learning courses for themselves. Moreover, it’s perfect for foreign language learners as they get to experience perfect pronunciation.

Besides these three cases, Play.ht has its place as an IVR service. Namely, to cut short waiting time, businesses can integrate Play.ht’s text to speech features to respond to their callers on hold. Furthermore, this tool is beneficial when creating tutorials for new employees and corresponding with foreign partners due to the number of languages it supports.

Play.ht also supports integration with WordPress and RSS feeds with an embed audio player. As such, bloggers can turn their work into a fully listenable experience. It also offers a classic text to speech dialogue box for quick audio transcription, and it provides app developers with a TTS API that they can plug in with their app and make it more accessible for future use.

Testimonials

Once you open up Play.ht’s website, it wastes no time in telling you how well they are rated on various app stores. Play.ht has some of the best ratings on Trustpilot, G2, and AppSumo.

But that’s not all. Play.ht provides its services to some of the world’s leading brands in various industries. They collaborate with Samsung, Hyundai, Aruba, Xerox, Amazon, Deliveroo, and Verizon, which is a testament to their quality.

Pricing

Now comes the most anticipated part of this Play.ht review, we know. So, what do Play.ht’s services cost? Before we get into paid plans, we should mention that you can use this tool for free, but the free trial version is limited in most areas.

The first paid plan is called Personal. For $14.25 a month, you get to transcribe 240,000 words, use evidently fake human voices, and have unlimited previews and downloads. On the other hand, for $29.25 per month, the Professional plan allows for 600,000 words, realistic voices, and a commercial SaaS license.

Besides the previous two paid plans, there’s also the Premium one. It costs $74.25 a month and grants users unlimited voice generation, ultra-realistic voices, and a pronunciation library. To take things even further, you can contact Play.ht about Enterprise and Team plans if you’re leading a brand or a business for even more features.

Accessibility

So, where can you use Play.ht? Is it just an online editor, or is there a mobile version or a standalone app? Play.ht primarily functions as a website. On it, you can use all the above-mentioned features.

Nevertheless, it’s also present on iOS and Android mobile devices. You can download it as a text to speech app from the App Store and Google Play Store, depending on which operating system you’re using.

Play.ht reviews

If you’re still unsure whether Play.ht is the right choice for you, why not see what other users are saying about it? Here are a few reviews we found online:

“Play.ht has completely transformed the way I create content. Its ease of use and features have helped me create top-quality audio versions of my articles in no time.” – John, Freelance Writer

“The realistic voices have taken my projects to another level. The seamless integration with WordPress has saved me hours of work, and the customer support is incredibly responsive.” – Sarah, Content Creator

Overall, Play.ht is an excellent tool for adding audio to your projects that come with many benefits. While it may have a few downsides, its outstanding features make it worth considering for anyone who wants to enhance their content, engage their audience, and save time.

Speechify

Play.ht isn’t the only AI text to speech tool that’s grabbing the attention of users and reviewers.

Speechify is one of the best text to speech software that seems to offer a whole lot to people who use it both as a premium and free TTS tool—and for good reasons, too. It’s a fantastic app, ready to convert text into audio and assist you in any walk of life, be it business or personal use.

Speechify provides more than 30 different voices that speak in over 15 languages. It’s based on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and optical character recognition, meaning it can transcribe photos of text, unlike its competitors.

Another pro of Speechify is its versatility. You can pretty much adjust any setting to your liking. From reading speed to volume to pitch, it’s all possible. If you love listening audiobooks, then you’ll love listening to all other kinds of text with Speechify.

Speechify’s speech synthesis services are also available across all platforms. You can use it on iOS and Android smartphones, as an app for Mac computers, and as a Safari and Google Chrome extension on your Microsoft Windows PC.

All you have to do is try out Speechify for free to discover how it suits your text to speech needs.

FAQs

How do I cancel my Play.ht subscription?

To cancel your subscription, you should log into your Play.ht account or contact their services by emailing [email protected] or calling the number listed on their website.

How do I use Play.ht?

Regardless of what you require Play.ht (Spotify or iTunes podcast hosting, social media content, YouTube voiceovers, etc.), just visit the website or open the app and the dialogue box for transcribing text into audio content will pop up ready for you to start working.