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Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Play.ht

The best way to compare Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Play.ht: 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 - Play.ht

Play.ht

Transform written content into high-quality, lifelike voiceovers with AI-powered text-to-speech technology.

Voice Quality

Microsoft Azure AI Speech Samples

Mean Opinion Score
Fiction
3.69
Non-Fiction
3.13
Conversation
3.18

Play.ht Samples

Mean Opinion Score
Fiction
4.17
Non-Fiction
4.17
Conversation
3.48
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, Play.ht generally offers higher voice quality across fiction, non-fiction, and conversation categories compared to Microsoft Azure AI Speech.
  • Play.ht achieves particularly notable superiority in fiction and non-fiction voice quality.
  • This suggests that users prioritizing natural-sounding voiceovers might find Play.ht more appealing for these specific types of content.

Features

Microsoft Azure AI Speech Features

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

Play.ht 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 Play.ht offer a comprehensive set of features for text-to-speech conversion, including voice cloning, multi-lingual support, per-word timestamps, and support for phone formats.
  • However, Microsoft Azure AI Speech distinguishes itself with additional pitch control, which is not available in Play.ht.
  • Conversely, both platforms support speed control, showcasing their versatility in adjusting the playback of synthesized speech to meet user preferences.

Pricing & Plans

Microsoft Azure AI Speech Pricing

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

Play.ht Pricing

Free
$0/mo
12,500 characters
Creator
$39/mo
250,000 characters
Unlimited
$99/mo
2.5M characters limit

Pricing & Plans - Conclusion

  • In a comparison of text-to-speech services based solely on pricing, Microsoft Azure AI Speech emerges as the more cost-effective option across all usage levels, from low to high.
  • It offers a larger free tier and maintains a lower cost for both moderate and high usage scenarios.
  • Play.ht, while competitive, especially with its Unlimited plan for high volume users, still does not match the affordability of Microsoft Azure AI Speech.

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

Play.ht Reviews

4.6 out of 5
Average of 293 ratings from leading review sites.
Play.ht is highly praised for its diverse and realistic voice options, ease of use, and excellent customer support. Users appreciate the ability to create audio content efficiently, especially for multilingual and varied voice needs. However, some users note issues with natural inflection, especially with complex terms, and express concerns about the pricing structure and occasional technical glitches. The platform's continuous updates and addition of new features are well-received, though some desire more control over voice modulation and better integration with certain plugins.
Voice diversity
Ease of use
Customer support
Pricing
Natural inflection
Technical reliability

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. 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. IBM Watson
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Resemble.AI
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. LOVO AI
Microsoft Azure AI Speech vs. Deepgram Aura

Play.ht Alternatives

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

Summary

  • In comparing Microsoft Azure AI Speech and Play.ht for text-to-speech services, Play.ht stands out for its superior voice quality across various content types, making it a preferable choice for users seeking more natural-sounding voiceovers.
  • However, Microsoft Azure AI Speech offers a more cost-effective solution with a broader range of features, including pitch control, which Play.ht lacks.
  • Ultimately, the choice between the two services hinges on the user's priorities: voice quality and specific features versus overall cost and a wider array of functionalities.

Looking for a better alternative to Microsoft Azure AI Speech & Play.ht?

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