Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs

Voice123 and Fiverr stand out as popular freelance platforms for connecting voice actors with clients seeking high-quality audio services. Both platforms offer a diverse range of voices and cater to various industries, making them essential resources for individuals and businesses in need of compelling voice over work. In this comparison, we will delve into the key features, advantages, and considerations when choosing between Voice123 and Fiverr for your voice over needs, as well as explore a game-changing alternative.

Voice123 vs. Fiverr: A brief overview

• Best overall: Voice123 ↓ Jump to review
• Best voices: Voice123 ↓ Jump to review
• Best languages & accents: Fiverr ↓ Jump to review
• Best voice cloning: Fiverr ↓ Jump to review
• Best customer support: Fiverr ↓ Jump to review
• Best alternative: Speechify Voice Over Studio ↓ Jump to review

What is Voice123?

Voice123 is an online platform that serves as a marketplace connecting clients seeking voice over services with professional voice actors. Acting as a bridge between creative projects and talented voices, Voice123 streamlines the casting process. Voice actors have the opportunity to showcase their talent to a diverse range of clients, while clients benefit from a vast pool of voice over professionals, ensuring they find the perfect voice to enhance their creative endeavors. Overall, Voice123 acts as a catalyst for creativity, fostering connections and collaborations within the dynamic world of voice over work.

What is Fiverr?

Fiverr is an online marketplace that brings together freelancers offering a wide array of digital services and clients seeking those services. Launched in 2010, Fiverr has grown into a global platform where individuals can buy and sell services ranging from graphic design, writing, and programming to marketing, video editing, and more. The platform’s unique feature is its gig-based system, where freelancers create “gigs” representing specific services they offer, often starting at a base price of $5.

Voice123 history

Voice123 was founded in 2002 by Colombian-born co-founders Alexander Torrenegra and his wife Tania Zapata, who had a desire for a more fulfilling life beyond their New York City existence. The official launch occurred on June 13, 2003, marking the birth of an innovative platform that revolutionized the voice over industry. With the mantra of making booking voice actors as easy as 1-2-3, Voice123 quickly gained popularity. Rolf Veldman assumed the role of CEO as the company expanded, with headquarters in White Plains, NY, and San Francisco, CA.

In a significant development in 2021, Backstage, a leading freelancer marketplace, acquired Voice123 for an undisclosed amount. Currently boasting an estimated annual revenue of $37 million, Voice123 continues to shape the landscape of the voice over artist marketplace.

Fiverr history

Fiverr, the globally renowned online marketplace for freelancers, was founded in 2010 by its CEO Micha Kaufman, an Israeli former Olympic sport shooter, and Shai Wininger. Headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, the concept behind Fiverr emerged from the idea of revolutionizing freelancing by enabling people to hire services in a manner similar to online shopping on platforms like eBay or Amazon, with a unique twist—services starting at only five dollars. Since its launch, Fiverr has evolved beyond the initial $5 model, with freelancers now offering services ranging upward of $8,000 across 120 categories and nearly 4 million jobs. 

The company has secured significant venture funding totaling $111 million, with investments from Bessemer Venture Partners, Accel, Square Peg Capital, Qumra Capital, Guy Gamzu, Jonathan Kolber, and others. With a valuation of $940 million, Fiverr continues to be a prominent player in the freelancing marketplace. 

How Voice123 works

Voice123 clients register on the platform and post details about their voice over projects, specifying requirements such as the type of voice needed, project description, and budget. Voice actors, who have also registered on the platform, can then browse available voice over jobs and submit auditions that showcase their skills and suitability for the job. Clients can review auditions, listen to voice samples, and communicate with voice actors through the platform to discuss project details and negotiate voice over business terms. After the selection process, clients award the project to their chosen voice actor, and the collaboration begins. 

How Fiverr works

Fiverr operates on a straightforward model where freelancers, known as sellers, create profiles and list their services as gigs. Clients, referred to as buyers, browse these gigs to find services that meet their needs. Once a buyer identifies a suitable gig, they can place an order, providing details about their requirements and specifications. Sellers then fulfill the order, delivering high-quality work within the agreed-upon timeframe. Communication between buyers and sellers is facilitated through the platform, ensuring a transparent and efficient process.

Pricing

Voice123 and Fiverr both position their platforms as cost-effective solutions, commencing voice over services at a highly competitive $5. This accessible starting point caters to clients with budgetary considerations, providing an entry into the platform’s diverse array of voice talent.

Free trial

Neither Voice123 nor Fiverr incorporates free trials into their platforms. Instead, clients engage directly with freelancers based on their profiles and past work, bypassing the conventional trial period. This approach places the emphasis on potential clients’ ability to assess freelancers’ portfolios and select the most suitable voice talent for their specific needs.

Natural-sounding voices

Voice123 boasts an expansive network of 125,000 active voice actors, providing clients with an extensive and diverse pool of talent to choose from. This vast selection ensures that clients can find voices that resonate with the tone and style they envision for their projects. Fiverr, while slightly smaller with over 24,000 voice over talent listings, also offers a broad spectrum of voices, albeit on a different scale.

Languages and accents

Diversity in language and accents beyond only English plays a pivotal role in the appeal of voice over platforms. Voice123 accommodates a rich linguistic tapestry with support for 63 languages and various accents, offering clients a wide array of options to cater to global audiences. Fiverr, with a commendable offering of 65 languages and accents, similarly provides clients with a comprehensive selection to meet their specific project requirements.

Voice cloning capabilities

Voice123, as of now, does not feature voice cloning capabilities. In contrast, Fiverr stands out by hosting freelancers who specialize in voice cloning, adding an intriguing dimension to the range of services available. This distinction sets Fiverr apart for clients seeking unique and innovative voice over solutions, including the replication of specific voices.

Audio processing speed

Both platforms leave the speed of audio processing in the hands of individual freelancers. However, Fiverr introduces a layer of flexibility by allowing clients to select freelancers offering express delivery options within 24 hours, 3 days, or 7 days. This feature empowers clients to align their voice over projects with specific timelines, enhancing overall project management capabilities.

Customization controls

The level of customization available for voice overs on both Voice123 and Fiverr is contingent upon the individual freelancers. Clients must articulate their requirements clearly and engage in effective communication to ensure that their expectations align with the final product. Additionally, clients should be aware that customization and potential redos may involve additional costs, requiring careful consideration during the selection process.

Audio generation limits

The constraints on audio generation hinge on the freelancer’s plans and preferences on both Voice123 and Fiverr. Clients navigating these platforms should be mindful of these limits, aligning them with the scope and scale of their intended projects. Clear communication with freelancers is essential to avoid potential roadblocks and ensure a seamless collaboration.

Commercial usage

Determining commercial usage rights is a nuanced aspect on both Voice123 and Fiverr, subject to the discretion of individual freelancers. Clients may need to negotiate and, in some cases, incur additional costs for acquiring commercial rights, depending on the freelancer’s terms. This underscores the importance of transparent communication and agreement on licensing terms between clients and freelancers.

Customer support

Voice123 and Fiverr prioritize client assistance through multiple channels. Voice123 extends support via email at [email protected], a dedicated contact page, and a comprehensive self-serve help center. Similarly, Fiverr offers a robust support system encompassing support tickets, email access ([email protected]), support on Twitter, and an informative self-serve help center. This multi-faceted approach ensures that clients have access to assistance and guidance at various touchpoints, enhancing their overall experience on the platforms.

Comparing Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs side-by-side

Voice123 pros

There are many advantages to using Voice123, including the following:

• Diverse talent pool: Voice123 provides access to a wide and diverse pool of voice actors, offering clients the opportunity to find the perfect voice for their projects.
• Quality assurance: Clients can listen to voice actor samples and reviews before making a decision, ensuring a certain level of quality. Many professional voice actors use the platform, contributing to the overall quality of available talent.
• Project management tools: Voice123 may offer tools for project management, facilitating communication, file sharing, and collaboration between clients and voice actors.

Voice123 cons

While Voice123 offers many benefits, here is a look at some of the top issues users have reported:

• Cost: Hiring professional voice actors through Voice123 comes with a cost, and prices can vary based on the experience and popularity of the voice actor. Some clients may find the fees to be relatively high.
• Competition for talent: Due to the large number of clients using the platform, there is competition for securing popular voice actors. This can be a challenge, especially for clients with specific preferences.
• Limited direct interaction: The platform may limit direct communication between clients and voice actors until a project is awarded. Some clients prefer more direct collaboration during the selection process.

Fiverr pros

Fiverr shines in many areas, including:

• Diverse talent pool: Fiverr boasts a vast and diverse pool of voice talent from around the world, allowing clients to find voices that match their specific project requirements.
• Affordability: Fiverr’s gig-based system often offers voice over services at various price points, catering to clients with different budgets. This affordability is particularly beneficial for small businesses and startups.
• Transparent reviews: Clients can review the ratings and feedback provided by other buyers for each voice actor, providing transparency and insights into the quality of their work.

Fiverr cons

While Fiverr offers many benefits, it also has some downsides, such as:

• Quality variability: While Fiverr has many talented voice actors, the quality can vary. Clients may need to carefully review samples, ratings, and reviews to ensure they select a voice actor whose style and quality meet their expectations.
• Service fees: Fiverr charges service fees for both buyers and sellers, which can add to the overall cost of hiring voice talent. Buyers should consider these fees when budgeting for their projects.
• Price negotiation challenges: Fiverr’s gig-based pricing structure may limit the flexibility for price negotiations, making it less suitable for clients who prefer a more customized approach to pricing.

Speechify Voice Over Studio: The best AI voices and alternative to Voice123 and Fiverr

For those who wish to skip casting voice over talent or recording their own voice recordings, Speechify Voice Over Studio arises as the top alternative. Speechify Voice Over Studio offers a wide range of audio and video editing features for beginners and established entrepreneurs alike. To use Speechify Voice Over Studio, users can simply input their script, choose their favorite AI voice, and instantly generate high-quality voice overs.

With over 200 AI voice over narrator options available spanning multiple languages and accents, the platform ensures users can find the perfect voice for their project whether they’re seeking a voice for their podcast playlists, video games, social media content, e-learning modules, tutorials, YouTube videos, or audiobook narration.

The AI online voices are indistinguishable from real human voices, and beyond its extensive voice offerings, Speechify Voice Over Studio provides a comprehensive audio and video editing suite powered by AI tools, allowing users to edit until their heart’s content.

Try Speechify Voice Over Studio for free today and take your voice over projects to the next level.

FAQ

How do I become a voice actor full-time?

To become a voice actor full-time, start by honing your skills through training, building a professional demo reel, creating an online presence, networking within the industry, and actively seeking auditions and opportunities.

What is a demo reel for voice overs?

A voice over demo reel for voice overs is a compilation of audio clips showcasing a voice actor’s versatility and range across different genres, accents, and tones, serving as a professional portfolio for potential clients and casting directors.

What are the best casting sites for voice over artists?

Some of the best casting and freelance voice over websites include Upwork, Voices.com, Bodalgo, Voice123.com, and Voicebunny, each offering unique features and opportunities for connecting voice talent with clients.

How do I start a voice over career as a newbie?

To start a voice over career, consider seeking guidance from a voice over coach, set up a home studio for recording, and immerse yourself in the art of voice acting to develop your skills and portfolio. Then, when you’re comfortable, you can seek work on pay to play online casting sites such as Voice123 or Fiverr.

Are voice over casting sites better than casting directors?

The effectiveness of voice over casting sites versus casting directors depends on individual preferences and needs, as casting sites offer a broader range of opportunities, while casting directors may provide more personalized guidance and connections in the industry.