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Play.ht vs. Microsoft Azure AI Speech

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

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Non-Fiction
Fiction
News
Blog
Conversation
0/250
Voice
Format
Normal
Speed
Filesize
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Text to speech API - Play.ht

Play.ht

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

Voice Quality

Play.ht Samples

Mean Opinion Score
Fiction
4.17
Non-Fiction
4.17
Conversation
3.48

Microsoft Azure AI Speech Samples

Mean Opinion Score
Fiction
3.69
Non-Fiction
3.13
Conversation
3.18
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 excels particularly in fiction and non-fiction voiceovers, indicating a more lifelike and engaging listening experience.
  • However, both services show room for improvement in conversation voice quality, with Play.ht leading slightly in this category as well.

Features

Play.ht Features

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

Microsoft Azure AI Speech Features

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

Features - Conclusion

  • Both Play.ht and Microsoft Azure AI Speech offer a robust set of features for text-to-speech services, including voice cloning, multi-lingual support, per-word timestamps, speed control, and compatibility with phone formats.
  • However, Play.ht lacks pitch control, a feature that Microsoft Azure AI Speech provides, potentially offering a more customizable listening experience.
  • Despite this difference, both platforms cater to a wide range of needs, from basic to advanced text-to-speech applications.

Pricing & Plans

Play.ht Pricing

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

Microsoft Azure AI Speech Pricing

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

Pricing & Plans - Conclusion

  • In a pricing comparison between Play.ht and Microsoft Azure AI Speech, Azure AI Speech emerges as the more cost-effective option for both free and paid plans.
  • Azure's free plan offers significantly more value with a larger character allowance compared to Play.ht's free tier.
  • For users looking to scale up, Azure's Pay As You Go plan remains more affordable than Play.ht's paid subscriptions, making it a preferable choice for those prioritizing budget.

Customer Reviews

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

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

Compare Alternatives

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

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

Summary

  • In comparing Play.ht and Microsoft Azure AI Speech for text-to-speech services, Play.ht stands out with higher voice quality ratings, particularly in fiction and non-fiction categories, suggesting a more lifelike and engaging audio experience.
  • However, Microsoft Azure AI Speech offers a more cost-effective solution with its free and Pay As You Go plans, alongside a broader feature set including pitch control.
  • Overall, while Play.ht may be preferred for its superior voice quality, Azure AI Speech presents a more affordable and feature-rich option for users with diverse needs and budget considerations.

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