Text-to-speech service to transform text into natural-sounding speech using deep learning technologies.
Voice Quality
Microsoft Azure AI Speech Samples
Mean Opinion Score
Fiction
3.69
Non-Fiction
3.13
Conversation
3.18
Amazon Polly Samples
Mean Opinion Score
Fiction
3.00
Non-Fiction
2.51
Conversation
2.63
Mean Opinion Score (MOS) is a numerical measure that represents the perceived quality of audio samples, commonly used in evaluating text-to-speech systems.
The score ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating poor quality and 5 signifying excellent quality.
These scores are derived from comprehensive, professionally-conducted evaluations, and are anonymized to ensure unbiased results.
Voice Quality - Conclusion
Based on the Mean Opinion Scores provided, Microsoft Azure AI Speech demonstrates superior voice quality across all categories (Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Conversation) compared to Amazon Polly.
Azure's scores are consistently higher, indicating a more human-like and pleasant listening experience.
This suggests that for applications where voice quality is a critical factor, Microsoft Azure AI Speech might be the preferable choice.
Features
Microsoft Azure AI Speech Features
Voice Cloning
Multi-lingual
Per-word Timestamps
Pitch Control
Speed Control
Phone Formats (e.g. pcm_mulaw)
Amazon Polly Features
Voice Cloning
Multi-lingual
Per-word Timestamps
Pitch Control
Speed Control
Phone Formats (e.g. pcm_mulaw)
Features - Conclusion
Both Microsoft Azure AI Speech and Amazon Polly offer a range of features that cater to the customization and flexibility needs of text-to-speech applications, including multi-lingual support, per-word timestamps, pitch control, speed control, and support for phone formats.
However, Microsoft Azure AI Speech distinguishes itself with the addition of voice cloning, a feature not available in Amazon Polly.
This could offer a significant advantage for applications requiring a higher degree of personalization or specific voice replication.
Pricing & Plans
Microsoft Azure AI Speech Pricing
Free
$0/mo
5 hours of audio (~225K chars)
Pay As You Go
$15per
1M characters
Amazon Polly Pricing
Free
$0/mo
1M characters (for first 12 months only)
Pay As You Go
$16per
1M characters
Pricing & Plans - Conclusion
In a direct comparison of pay-as-you-go plans, Microsoft Azure AI Speech offers a more cost-effective solution at $15 per million characters, slightly undercutting Amazon Polly's rate of $16 per million characters.
This pricing advantage makes Microsoft Azure AI Speech the more economical choice for users looking to process large volumes of text into speech.
However, users should consider their specific needs and the overall value each service provides beyond just the cost.
Customer Reviews
Microsoft Azure AI Speech Reviews
4.2 out of 5
Average of 88 ratings from leading review sites.
Customers appreciate Azure Text to Speech API for its ease of use, high-quality audio output, and seamless integration with other services. They find it particularly beneficial for accessibility and enhancing user experience across various applications. However, concerns about the cost and limited customization options are frequently mentioned. The API's multilingual support and continuous updates are praised, but some users desire improvements in voice naturalness and additional language options.
Ease of use
Integration
Accessibility
Audio quality
Multilingual support
Naturalness of voice
Cost
Customization
Amazon Polly Reviews
4.4 out of 5
Average of 68 ratings from leading review sites.
Customers appreciate Amazon Polly for its natural-sounding voices, ease of use, and integration with AWS services. They find it beneficial for various applications like IVR systems, content creation, and multilingual support. However, concerns about cost, limited customization options, and occasional unnatural inflections in the voices are common. The service's scalability and fast response times are highlighted as significant advantages, helping businesses efficiently manage large-scale projects.
In summary, Microsoft Azure AI Speech outperforms Amazon Polly in terms of voice quality, offering a more human-like and pleasant listening experience across various categories.
It also provides a slightly more cost-effective solution for pay-as-you-go plans and distinguishes itself with unique features such as voice cloning.
These advantages make Microsoft Azure AI Speech a preferable choice for users seeking high-quality, customizable, and economically efficient text-to-speech services.
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