Top 10 Text To Speech (TTS) Software For eLearning (2017 Update)

The best text-to-speech software

Storytelling and the use of human voices are a good recipe for making online learners more interested and emotionally connected to the eLearning course. Fortunately, there is an abundance of professional storytellers and broadcasters. However, the cost continues to rise if you decide to hire a professional. There is also the problem of what happens when you decide to update or add content to your online training course. Text-to-speech software tools eliminate the need to pay a professional when dealing with cases of visually impaired online students or online students with other learning disabilities.

1. Ivona

A member of the Amazon group of companies, Ivona is one of the best text-to-speech software tools on the market.

• 47 human-like voices
  Ivona covers 24 languages ​​with male and female voices for almost everyone.
• Quality performance regardless of device
  Ivona partners with ReadSpeaker providing optimized performance on almost all devices, as well as the ability to integrate Ivona into other applications.

Features and plans

• 13 subscription plans available
  Prices range from $ 29.95 for the basic option that uses Windows voice and go up to $ 159, depending on how many voices you choose to buy.

2. NaturalReader

Another great text-to-speech software with optical character recognition for Windows and Mac users. NaturalReader also offers the ability to change the speed of speech.

• Free download with great compatibility
  Free version available and compatible with PDF, Word files and web pages.
• Wide range of voices
  American English, British English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese, to name a few.
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
  OCR allows you to scan your text and then convert it to digital text that you can listen to as audio or save to your computer.
• Great help for people with learning disabilities
  From dyslexics to visually impaired online students, the "highlight view while listening" feature is a key solution for everyone. Real-time spelling feedback further strengthens spelling weaknesses. Online students with learning difficulties can greatly benefit from such features.

Features and plans

• 4 subscription options
  The free version is pretty standard with Text-to-Speech for documents and web pages along with other features. Then you have three other versions. One for $ 69.50, one for $ 129.50, and one for $ 199.50, depending on how many natural sounding voices you need or how many images the OCR function needs.

3. Zabaware Text-to-Speech Reader

Excellent text-to-speech software with a speech synthesizer that reads many types of documents.

• Various text types supported
  Documents, emails, websites, clipboard content, as well as Windows dialog boxes.
• Free Download Available
  The free version comes with high-quality non-human voices.
• Great tool for learning disabilities
  Zabaware features address reading disabilities as well as various concentration problems.

Features and plans

• Variety of subscription packages
  While there are plenty of expansions, the top 2 options – Cerevoice and AT&T voice packs – are great deals for $ 24.95.

4. iSpeech

iSpeech is text-to-speech software with the ability to convert text to numerous audio formats not limited to a single device. Applications for Blackberry, iPhone and Android are available.

• Multiple formats
  Wav, MP3, ogg, wma, aiff, alaw, ulaw, vox, MP4, to name a few.
• Give voice to any text
  Don't limit yourself to PDF files or copy and paste text. ISpeech's open source text-to-speech feature allows you to even activate text from chat applications.
• Multiple devices
  No one owns a single mobile device today. iSpeech has you covered with its responsive design.

Features and plans

• For eLearning companies
  For $ 500 you can create audio for up to 10,000 words. $ 1,500 brings the word limit to 50,000 and $ 2,500 brings it to 100,000 words.
• Various other options for companies
  iSpeech offers text-to-speech solutions for developers, publishers, as well as interactive voice reply messages. For more information on pricing options, see their website.

5. Virtual speaker of the Acapela group

One of the best text-to-speech software tools the market has to offer, particularly useful for eLearning purposes, with many supported formats, languages, and speech properties.

• Immense variety of voices
  More than 70 voices and 30 languages ​​with an additional range of voice humor, as well as voice frequency to indicate sadness, happiness, whispers or screams.
• Various audio output formats
  Whatever it is, the virtual speaker has it. 8 kHz, 11 kHz, 16 kHz, 22 kHz, 44 kHz and many more.
• Speech control
  Modify settings, voice or language while listening to text with this excellent function.

Features and plans.

• No subscription required
  Virtual Speaker and all its features are free.

6) TextSpeech Pro

Download-only text-to-speech software that reads the most popular types of documents, such as PDF, MS Word, and HTML files. It also provides support to users with disabilities.

• Great selection of natural voices.
  The paid version includes AT&T Natural Voices with the ability to change the speed, volume, and quality of the voice.
• Various integration functions
  TextSpeech Pro gives you the option to read your emails out loud, as well as have any web page read to you.

Features and plans

• 6 subscription options available
  TextSpeech Pro Basic starts at $ 19.99 and the price range goes up to $ 149.99 for TextSpeech Pro Enterprise with various intermediate pricing options, depending on the features you want to include.

7. AudioBookMaker

If you are looking for free and reliable text-to-speech software, look no further. AudioBookMaker is probably the best free text-to-speech software.

• Multilingual interface
  English, Russian and Simplified Chinese included.
• Customizable voice parameters
  Change the speed, pitch and volume as you see fit.
• Highlighted spoken text
  Significantly important for online learners with learning difficulties.
• Custom settings
  Not only can you adjust a variety of document settings, but you can also restore those settings every time you reopen that document.

Features and plans

• 100% free
  Although you can donate to cover maintenance costs, AudioBookMaker does not require subscriptions.

8. TextAloud 3

Developed by NextUp, TextAloud 3 is one of the most professional text-to-speech software tools, with 29 languages.

• Massive range of voices
  TextAloud has partnered with AT&T Natural Voices, Acapela Group, Ivona, and Nuance Vocalizer to offer you many voice options and different accents to choose from.
• Free trial version
  You don't have to pay directly. You can download the free trial version and then decide if you want to continue with a premium subscription.
• Tons of features
  Create messages for your answering machine, read your text in 29 languages, or use TextAloud 3 to help people with vision problems.

Features and plans

• 2 premium options
  You can buy TextAloud 3 for $ 29.95 and then add other voice packs like AT&T Natural Voices. You can also buy NextUp Talker for $ 99.95, which is designed for people with speech impairments.

9. Read the words

Online text-to-speech software with various language options and easy-to-use interface with free version available.

• 3 language options
  Have your text translated and read in English, French and Spanish.
• RSS audio podcasts
  Articles in an RSS feed are converted to voice recordings, while links are kept in the feed. There is a 3-day trial version available for you to try out this great feature.
• Audio file creation
  Free users can create audio files of up to 30 seconds.
• 15 voices
  The free version offers 15 different voices to choose from.

Features and plans.

• 1 Premium membership option
  $ 39.99 per year or $ 10 per month gives you unlimited audio files of up to 1 hour and 100 available podcasts.

10. Voice reader 15

Linguatec has produced this excellent text-to-speech software tool with numerous functional functions.

• 45 languages
  English, German, Italian and Spanish among others, depending on the membership you choose.
• Translator
  Also available in many premium memberships to meet individual or corporate needs.
• Mobile apps
  A large number of applications such as Voice Translator for interpretation purposes, mobile text-to-speech applications, VoiceReader and VoiceReader Web for PDF documents and web pages. Plus, the integrated LinguaDict German voice output dictionary covers all your lexical needs.

Features and plans

• 4 Premium Memberships
  Starting at $ 49 for the basic package, the price increases depending on what you choose to include.

Whether you're looking to cut maintenance costs, deal with learning issues, or just add cutting-edge tools to your eLearning course, text-to-speech software offers the solution for everything.

Now that you know the best text-to-speech software available on the market, it's time to explore its functionality and features in depth. Read the article The Complete Guide to Text-to-Speech Software: Are You Hearing Voices? to find out why and how to use TTS software, plus alternative ways to get TTS audio.