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Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. IBM Watson

The best way to compare Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. IBM Watson: audio samples, features, plans, pricing, and more.

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Live Demo

Try our text-to-speech API. Click a button to generate random text:

Non-Fiction
Fiction
News
Blog
Conversation
0/250
Voice
Format
Normal
Speed
Filesize
0 kb
Text to speech API - Microsoft Azure AI Speech

Microsoft Azure AI Speech

Enables your applications, tools, or devices to convert text into human-like synthesized speech.
Text to speech API - IBM Watson

IBM Watson

Convert text into natural-sounding speech in a variety of languages and voices.

Voice Quality

Microsoft Azure AI Speech Samples

Mean Opinion Score
Fiction
3.69
Non-Fiction
3.13
Conversation
3.18

IBM Watson Samples

Mean Opinion Score
Fiction
N/A
Non-Fiction
N/A
Conversation
N/A
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.

Features

Microsoft Azure AI Speech Features

Voice Cloning
Multi-lingual
Per-word Timestamps
Pitch Control
Speed Control
Phone Formats (e.g. pcm_mulaw)

IBM Watson 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 IBM Watson offer a comprehensive suite of features for text-to-speech conversion, including voice cloning, multi-lingual support, per-word timestamps, pitch and speed control, and support for phone formats.
  • This indicates a strong industry standard for text-to-speech services in terms of versatility and customization options.
  • The parity in features suggests that the choice between these services could come down to other factors such as voice quality, pricing, or specific use case requirements rather than a significant difference in capabilities.

Pricing & Plans

Microsoft Azure AI Speech Pricing

Free
$0/mo
5 hours of audio (~225K chars)
Pay As You Go
$15per
1M characters

IBM Watson Pricing

Free
$0/mo
10,000 characters
Standard
$20per
1M characters

Pricing & Plans - Conclusion

  • In a direct comparison of pay-as-you-go plans, Microsoft Azure AI Speech emerges as the more cost-effective option for text-to-speech services, offering a lower price point than IBM Watson.
  • Users can enjoy savings with Azure AI Speech, which is priced at $15 for the same volume of characters that IBM Watson charges $20 for.
  • This pricing advantage makes Microsoft Azure AI Speech a preferable choice for those prioritizing budget in their text-to-speech service selection.

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

IBM Watson Reviews

4.1 out of 5
Average of 44 ratings from leading review sites.
Customers appreciate IBM Watson Text to Speech for its ease of integration, speed, and support for multiple languages, making it versatile for various applications like education, customer service, and accessibility for the disabled. The ability to customize voice and tone is highly valued. However, some users note issues with pronunciation accuracy, limited language options, and occasional software glitches. The pricing is also considered high for small businesses or individual users.
Ease of integration
Speed
Language support
Customization
Pronunciation accuracy
Software reliability
Pricing
Language diversity

Compare Alternatives

Microsoft Azure AI Speech Alternatives

Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Unreal Speech
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Amazon Polly
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. ElevenLabs
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Play.ht
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Google Cloud Text-to-Speech
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. OpenAI Text-to-Speech
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Murf API
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Neets.ai
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Resemble.AI
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. LOVO AI
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Deepgram Aura

IBM Watson Alternatives

IBM Watson vs. Unreal Speech
IBM Watson vs. Amazon Polly
IBM Watson vs. ElevenLabs
IBM Watson vs. Play.ht
IBM Watson vs. Google Cloud Text-to-Speech
IBM Watson vs. OpenAI Text-to-Speech
IBM Watson vs. Murf API
IBM Watson vs. Neets.ai
IBM Watson vs. Resemble.AI
IBM Watson vs. LOVO AI
IBM Watson vs. Deepgram Aura

Summary

  • When comparing Microsoft Azure AI Speech and IBM Watson for text-to-speech services, both platforms offer a robust set of features including voice cloning, multi-lingual support, and customization options like pitch and speed control.
  • However, Microsoft Azure AI Speech stands out in terms of cost-effectiveness, offering a more affordable pay-as-you-go plan compared to IBM Watson.
  • While the choice between the two may ultimately depend on specific needs or preferences, Azure AI Speech presents a compelling option for those prioritizing budget without compromising on quality or functionality.

Looking for a better alternative to Microsoft Azure AI Speech & IBM Watson?

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