Last Updated: February 3, 2026 | Reading Time: 15 min
Looking for ElevenLabs alternatives? Whether you’re facing budget constraints, need specific features ElevenLabs doesn’t offer, or simply want to explore what else the AI voice generation market has to offer, you’re in the right place.
ElevenLabs has earned its reputation as a leader in AI voice generation with remarkably human-like speech synthesis and powerful voice cloning. But it’s not the only player in the game—and for many users, it might not even be the best fit.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the 12 best ElevenLabs alternatives for 2026, covering everything from enterprise-grade solutions to free open-source options. We’ll break down pricing, features, voice quality, and ideal use cases so you can find the perfect AI voice generator for your needs.
Quick Verdict
⭐ Best Overall Alternative: Murf AI — Best balance of quality, features, and value
💰 Best Budget Option: Play.ht — Generous free tier with unlimited downloads
🔧 Best for Developers: Resemble AI — Advanced API and on-premise deployment
🎬 Best for Video Creators: Descript — Voice cloning integrated with editing
🆓 Best Free/Open Source: Chatterbox — Wins blind tests vs ElevenLabs, MIT license
🏢 Best for Enterprise: WellSaid Labs — Ethically-sourced voices, SOC 2 compliant
Why Look for ElevenLabs Alternatives?
ElevenLabs is genuinely impressive, but there are legitimate reasons to explore alternatives:
- Pricing concerns: ElevenLabs can get expensive at scale ($99-$330+/month for professional use)
- Character limits: Even paid plans have strict usage caps
- Feature gaps: Some alternatives offer better dubbing, video integration, or language support
- Voice cloning needs: Competitors may offer more advanced or affordable cloning
- Privacy/security: Some enterprises need on-premise deployment options
- Open source preference: Developers may want self-hosted solutions
Let’s dive into the best alternatives available in 2026.
ElevenLabs Pricing (For Comparison)
Before we explore alternatives, here’s what ElevenLabs currently charges:
| Plan | Price | Characters/Month | Voice Cloning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 10,000 | No |
| Starter | $5/mo | 30,000 | Yes |
| Creator | $22/mo | 100,000 | Yes |
| Pro | $99/mo | 500,000 | Yes |
| Scale | $330/mo | 2,000,000 | Yes |
| Business | $1,320/mo | 11,000,000 | Yes + Priority |
Note: ElevenLabs also offers a Startup Grants Program with 12 months free (33M characters) for qualifying startups.
The 12 Best ElevenLabs Alternatives in 2026
1. Murf AI — Best Overall Alternative
⭐ Rating: 4.7/5 | 💰 From $19/month
Murf AI isn’t just a voice generator—it’s a complete voiceover studio. If you’re creating videos, courses, or marketing Content, Murf provides the tools to produce professional audio without hiring voice actors.
Key Features:
- 200+ high-quality AI voices across 35+ languages
- Granular voice customization (pitch, speed, pause, emphasis)
- Video sync capabilities built-in
- Voice changer to transform recordings
- Royalty-free background music library
- Integrations with Articulate 360, WordPress, Adobe Captivate
Pricing:
| Plan | Price | Voice Generation |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | $0 | 10 minutes |
| Creator | $19/user/mo | 24 hours/year |
| Business | $66/user/mo | 96 hours/year |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited |
Pros:
✅ Complete voiceover production platform
✅ Excellent video synchronization tools
✅ Strong customization options
✅ Good value for content creators
✅ Commercial licensing included in paid plans
Cons:
❌ Not ideal for real-time API applications
❌ Generation can be slower than dedicated TTS APIs
❌ Annual voice hour limits on lower tiers
Best For: Content creators, e-learning developers, marketing teams, and anyone who needs more than just text-to-speech—an actual production environment.
Verdict: If ElevenLabs feels like a voice generator that you need to build around, Murf feels like a studio ready to use. For most content creation needs, it’s our top recommendation.
2. Play.ht — Best Value for High-Volume Users
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 | 💰 From $31.20/month
Play.ht goes head-to-head with ElevenLabs on features while offering significantly better value for high-volume users. With 900+ voices across 142 languages and unlimited downloads on paid plans, it’s a powerhouse.
Key Features:
- 900+ AI voices in 142 languages
- Ultra-realistic voice cloning
- Emotion and style controls
- Multi-voice feature for conversations
- Full commercial rights and copyright ownership
- Robust API for developers
Pricing:
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited, non-commercial |
| Creator | $31.20/mo (annual) | 50 hours/mo, cloning |
| Unlimited | $49.50/mo (annual) | Unlimited generation |
| Business | $79.20/mo (annual) | API access, priority |
Pros:
✅ Massive voice library (900+ voices)
✅ Unlimited downloads on paid plans
✅ Full commercial rights ownership
✅ Strong voice cloning quality
✅ 142 languages supported
Cons:
❌ UI learning curve compared to ElevenLabs
❌ Advanced features locked to higher tiers
❌ Free plan is limited to non-commercial use
Best For: Content creators who need variety, global businesses requiring multilingual support, and anyone frustrated by ElevenLabs’ character limits.
Verdict: Play.ht offers more voices, more languages, and unlimited downloads. If you’re hitting character caps with ElevenLabs, this is your escape route.
3. Resemble AI — Best for Professional Voice Cloning
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5 | 💰 From $0.03/minute
Resemble AI is the choice for enterprises and developers who need the most advanced voice cloning technology available. Their “Localize” feature can translate a cloned voice into other languages while preserving its unique characteristics—mind-blowing technology.
Key Features:
- Industry-leading voice cloning accuracy
- Real-time speech-to-speech voice conversion
- “Localize” multilingual voice translation
- On-premise deployment options
- Chatterbox open-source framework (10,000+ GitHub stars)
- Advanced API with low latency
Pricing:
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-as-you-go | $0.03/minute | Credits never expire |
| Creator | $19/mo | 15,000 seconds |
| Professional | $99/mo | 45,000 seconds + Pro model |
| Business | $699/mo | 360,000 seconds + low-latency API |
Pros:
✅ Best-in-class voice cloning technology
✅ On-premise deployment for enterprise security
✅ Real-time speech-to-speech capabilities
✅ Flexible pay-as-you-go option
✅ Open-source option (Chatterbox)
Cons:
❌ Higher learning curve
❌ Can get expensive at scale
❌ More technical than consumer-friendly tools
Best For: Game developers, enterprise applications, brands creating mascot voices, and anyone who needs the absolute best voice cloning available.
Verdict: If your project demands professional-grade voice cloning with maximum control, Resemble AI is worth every penny. The Chatterbox open-source option also makes them the developer’s choice.
4. Descript — Best for Podcasters & Video Editors
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5 | 💰 From $16/month
Descript approaches AI voice from a different angle. Instead of being a standalone voice generator, it’s a full audio/video editing suite where you edit audio by editing text. Their “Overdub” feature lets you clone your own voice and fix mistakes by simply typing corrections.
Key Features:
- Text-based audio/video editing (edit audio like a doc)
- “Overdub” voice cloning for your own voice
- Full transcription and captioning
- Screen recording with AI enhancement
- Collaborative team editing
- Filler word removal
Pricing:
| Plan | Price | Media Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1 hour/month (watermarked) |
| Hobbyist | $16/mo (annual) | 10 hours |
| Creator | $24/mo (annual) | 30 hours |
| Business | $50/mo (annual) | 40 hours + team features |
Pros:
✅ Revolutionary text-based editing workflow
✅ High-quality voice cloning (Overdub)
✅ All-in-one editing, transcription, and TTS
✅ Excellent for podcast/video production
✅ Strong collaboration features
Cons:
❌ Voice generation is a feature, not the focus
❌ Overdub requires training on your specific voice
❌ Can’t clone arbitrary voices (only your own)
Best For: Podcasters, YouTubers, video editors, and anyone who wants voice cloning integrated into their existing editing workflow.
Verdict: If you’re already editing audio or video content, Descript’s approach is revolutionary. The Overdub feature alone justifies the cost for content creators who want to fix mistakes without re-recording.
5. WellSaid Labs — Best for Enterprise & Ethical AI
⭐ Rating: 4.7/5 | 💰 Custom pricing
WellSaid Labs positions itself as the ethical choice in AI voice generation. All 120+ voices are created with consenting voice actors through their Voice Actor Program—no scraped audio or questionable training data.
Key Features:
- 120+ ethically-sourced AI voices
- Real-time generation and editing
- Custom phonetic library
- Voice Actor collaboration program
- SOC 2 Type II compliant
- Enterprise-grade API
Pricing:
WellSaid Labs uses custom pricing based on usage and needs. Contact sales for quotes. Reports suggest starting around $49-99/month for small teams.
Pros:
✅ Ethically sourced voices (voice actors compensated)
✅ Enterprise-grade security (SOC 2)
✅ High-quality, natural-sounding output
✅ Strong API for integration
✅ Brand-safe for corporate use
Cons:
❌ No public pricing (must contact sales)
❌ Smaller voice library than competitors
❌ Less suitable for individual creators
Best For: Enterprises, corporate training departments, brands concerned about AI ethics, and anyone who needs SOC 2 compliance.
Verdict: If your organization cares about where AI voices come from and needs enterprise compliance, WellSaid Labs is the gold standard. The ethical positioning alone makes it worth considering.
6. Speechify — Best for Personal Productivity
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 | 💰 From $139/year
Speechify started as a reading aid for people with dyslexia and has evolved into a powerful text-to-speech platform. It excels at converting documents, PDFs, web pages, and emails into audio you can listen to anywhere.
Key Features:
- Convert PDFs, docs, web pages, emails to audio
- 200+ voices in 30+ languages
- Celebrity voices (Snoop Dogg, Gwyneth Paltrow)
- Adjustable reading speeds (up to 4.5x)
- Offline listening
- Browser extension, mobile apps, desktop apps
Pricing:
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited voices/features |
| Premium | $139/year | Full access, all voices |
| Audiobooks | $199/year | Premium + audiobook library |
Pros:
✅ Best-in-class document conversion
✅ Works across all devices seamlessly
✅ Celebrity voice options are fun
✅ Great for learning and accessibility
✅ Offline listening support
Cons:
❌ More focused on consumption than creation
❌ Not ideal for voiceover production
❌ Annual pricing only (no monthly option)
Best For: Students, professionals who consume lots of written content, people with reading difficulties, and anyone who wants to turn their reading list into a listening list.
Verdict: Speechify isn’t trying to compete with ElevenLabs directly—it’s solving a different problem. If you want to listen to articles, documents, and books, nothing else comes close.
7. Amazon Polly — Best for AWS Integration
⭐ Rating: 4.3/5 | 💰 Pay-per-use ($4/1M characters)
Amazon Polly is the voice behind Alexa and countless AWS-powered applications. If you’re already in the AWS ecosystem, Polly offers enterprise reliability at scale with pay-as-you-go pricing.
Key Features:
- 60+ voices across 30+ languages
- Neural TTS and Standard TTS options
- SSML support for fine control
- Real-time streaming
- Speech marks for lip-sync
- Direct AWS integration
Pricing:
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard voices | $4.00 per 1M characters |
| Neural voices | $16.00 per 1M characters |
| Free tier | 5M characters/month (first 12 months) |
Pros:
✅ Extremely cost-effective at scale
✅ Enterprise reliability (AWS SLA)
✅ Seamless AWS ecosystem integration
✅ Real-time streaming capabilities
✅ Generous free tier for testing
Cons:
❌ Voice quality below newer AI models
❌ No voice cloning capability
❌ Requires AWS technical knowledge
❌ Less natural than ElevenLabs/competitors
Best For: AWS developers, enterprise applications, IVR systems, and any project where reliability and scale matter more than cutting-edge voice quality.
Verdict: Polly isn’t the most natural-sounding option, but it’s battle-tested, affordable at scale, and integrates seamlessly if you’re already using AWS.
8. Google Cloud Text-to-Speech — Best for Google Integration
⭐ Rating: 4.4/5 | 💰 Pay-per-use ($4-16/1M characters)
Google’s TTS offering leverages the same technology behind Google Assistant. With WaveNet voices and strong multilingual support, it’s a solid choice for developers in the Google Cloud ecosystem.
Key Features:
- 220+ voices across 40+ languages
- WaveNet and Neural2 voice options
- SSML and custom pronunciations
- Audio profiles for different devices
- Streaming and batch synthesis
- Full Google Cloud integration
Pricing:
| Voice Type | Price per 1M characters |
|---|---|
| Standard | $4.00 |
| WaveNet | $16.00 |
| Neural2 | $16.00 |
| Free tier | 4M characters/month (WaveNet 1M) |
Pros:
✅ High-quality WaveNet voices
✅ Excellent multilingual support
✅ Strong Google Cloud integration
✅ Good documentation and support
✅ Competitive pricing at scale
Cons:
❌ No voice cloning
❌ Requires GCP knowledge
❌ Less natural than dedicated AI voice startups
❌ Limited customization options
Best For: Google Cloud developers, multilingual applications, accessibility features, and enterprise deployments.
Verdict: If you’re building on Google Cloud, this is the natural choice. The WaveNet voices are genuinely impressive, even if they don’t quite match the newest AI voice generators.
9. Microsoft Azure AI Speech — Best for Microsoft Integration
⭐ Rating: 4.4/5 | 💰 Pay-per-use ($4-16/1M characters)
Azure AI Speech powers Cortana and countless Microsoft products. It offers one of the largest voice libraries and the deepest integration with Microsoft’s enterprise ecosystem.
Key Features:
- 500+ voices across 140+ languages
- Custom Neural Voice (create your own)
- Real-time and batch synthesis
- Speech-to-speech translation
- Pronunciation assessment
- On-premise deployment options
Pricing:
| Feature | Price |
|---|---|
| Neural TTS | $16 per 1M characters |
| Standard TTS | $4 per 1M characters |
| Custom Neural Voice | $24 per 1M characters |
| Free tier | 500K characters/month |
Pros:
✅ Largest voice library (500+ voices)
✅ Custom Neural Voice option
✅ Enterprise-grade security
✅ On-premise deployment available
✅ Deep Microsoft ecosystem integration
Cons:
❌ Complex pricing structure
❌ Steeper learning curve
❌ Custom voices require significant data
❌ Voice quality varies by language
Best For: Microsoft shops, enterprise applications, multilingual deployments, and organizations needing custom branded voices.
Verdict: Azure offers the most voices and languages of any provider. If you need coverage across 140+ languages or want to create a completely custom voice, Azure has you covered.
10. Cartesia AI — Best Voice Quality per Dollar
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 | 💰 From $5/month
Cartesia is a newer entrant that’s been turning heads with exceptional voice quality at aggressive pricing. Their Sonic model competes directly with ElevenLabs’ best voices at a fraction of the cost.
Key Features:
- Ultra-low latency (under 100ms)
- Instant voice cloning from short samples
- Emotional expression controls
- Streaming support
- Competitive API pricing
- Rapid model improvements
Pricing:
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $5/mo | Basic access |
| Professional | $29/mo | Higher limits, priority |
| Enterprise | Custom | Dedicated support |
Pros:
✅ Exceptional quality-to-price ratio
✅ Industry-leading low latency
✅ Fast voice cloning from short samples
✅ Active development and improvement
✅ Developer-friendly API
Cons:
❌ Smaller voice library than established players
❌ Newer company (less track record)
❌ Limited integrations compared to big tech
❌ Documentation still maturing
Best For: Startups, indie developers, real-time applications, and anyone who wants ElevenLabs-quality voices without ElevenLabs pricing.
Verdict: Cartesia is the dark horse of AI voice. If you’re cost-conscious but refuse to compromise on quality, they’re worth serious consideration.
11. Fish Audio — Best for Developers & Asian Languages
⭐ Rating: 4.4/5 | 💰 Pay-per-use
Fish Audio has carved out a niche as the go-to for developers and teams needing excellent Asian language support. Their API-first approach and competitive pricing make them popular with startups.
Key Features:
- Excellent Chinese, Japanese, Korean support
- Fast voice cloning
- Low-latency API
- Open-source contributions
- Developer-focused documentation
- Competitive pay-per-use pricing
Pricing:
Pay-per-use model with competitive per-character rates. Free tier available for testing.
Pros:
✅ Best-in-class Asian language support
✅ Developer-friendly API
✅ Fast voice cloning
✅ Active open-source community
✅ Competitive pricing
Cons:
❌ Less polished UI than consumer tools
❌ Smaller Western voice library
❌ Less brand recognition
❌ Documentation gaps in English
Best For: Developers building products for Asian markets, startups needing affordable voice cloning, and anyone prioritizing Chinese/Japanese/Korean languages.
Verdict: If you’re targeting Asian markets or need strong CJK language support, Fish Audio should be at the top of your list.
12. Chatterbox (Open Source) — Best Free Option
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5 | 💰 Free (MIT License)
Chatterbox is Resemble AI’s open-source TTS framework, and it’s genuinely remarkable. In blind tests, it beats ElevenLabs for naturalness. With 2.5M+ downloads and 10,000+ GitHub stars, it’s the community’s choice for self-hosted voice generation.
Key Features:
- MIT license (fully permissive)
- Voice cloning from 5 seconds of audio
- 17 languages supported
- Self-hosted (complete data control)
- Active community development
- No usage limits or API costs
Pricing:
Free forever. You host it yourself.
Pros:
✅ 100% free and open source
✅ Wins blind tests vs ElevenLabs
✅ Clone voices from just 5 seconds
✅ Complete data privacy (self-hosted)
✅ No usage limits whatsoever
Cons:
❌ Requires technical setup
❌ You manage hosting/infrastructure
❌ No commercial support
❌ Compute costs are on you
Best For: Developers who want complete control, privacy-conscious users, researchers, and anyone willing to handle their own infrastructure.
Verdict: If you have the technical chops to self-host, Chatterbox offers ElevenLabs-beating quality for $0. It’s genuinely one of the best open-source AI projects available.
Comparison Table: All 12 ElevenLabs Alternatives
| Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Voice Cloning | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murf AI | Content creation | $19/mo | Yes | 35+ |
| Play.ht | High-volume users | $31.20/mo | Yes | 142 |
| Resemble AI | Enterprise cloning | $0.03/min | Advanced | 20+ |
| Descript | Podcasters/editors | $16/mo | Yes (own voice) | 25 |
| WellSaid Labs | Ethical enterprise | Custom | No | 20+ |
| Speechify | Personal productivity | $139/year | No | 30+ |
| Amazon Polly | AWS developers | $4/1M chars | No | 30+ |
| Google Cloud TTS | GCP developers | $4/1M chars | No | 40+ |
| Azure AI Speech | Microsoft shops | $4/1M chars | Custom option | 140+ |
| Cartesia AI | Quality/price ratio | $5/mo | Yes | 20+ |
| Fish Audio | Asian languages | Pay-per-use | Yes | 17+ |
| Chatterbox | Self-hosted/free | Free | Yes | 17 |
How to Choose the Right ElevenLabs Alternative
Choose Murf AI if:
- You need a complete voiceover production environment
- Video sync and editing features matter
- You’re creating e-learning or marketing content
Choose Play.ht if:
- You need maximum voice variety (900+ options)
- Multilingual support is critical (142 languages)
- You want unlimited downloads
Choose Resemble AI if:
- Voice cloning quality is your top priority
- You need on-premise deployment
- You’re building games or branded experiences
Choose Descript if:
- You’re editing podcasts or videos
- You want to clone YOUR voice for corrections
- Text-based editing sounds revolutionary
Choose WellSaid Labs if:
- AI ethics and voice actor compensation matter
- You need enterprise compliance (SOC 2)
- Corporate brand safety is essential
Choose Cloud Providers (AWS/Google/Azure) if:
- You’re already in their ecosystem
- Scale and reliability trump cutting-edge quality
- Cost-effectiveness at millions of characters matters
Choose Chatterbox if:
- You want free, open-source, self-hosted
- You have the technical skills to deploy it
- Data privacy is non-negotiable
FAQs
Is ElevenLabs the best AI voice generator?
ElevenLabs is among the best for voice quality and ease of use, but it’s not the best for everyone. Alternatives like Murf AI offer better production tools, Play.ht offers more voices, and Chatterbox is free with comparable quality.
What’s the cheapest ElevenLabs alternative?
Chatterbox is completely free (open source). For paid options, Cartesia starts at $5/month, and Amazon Polly’s pay-per-use model can be very affordable at scale.
Which ElevenLabs alternative has the best voice cloning?
Resemble AI is widely considered to have the most advanced voice cloning technology, especially for professional and enterprise use cases. Chatterbox also offers impressive cloning from just 5 seconds of audio.
Can I use ElevenLabs alternatives for commercial projects?
Yes, most paid plans include commercial licensing. Always verify the specific terms—Murf AI, Play.ht, and Resemble AI all offer commercial rights on their paid tiers.
Which alternative is best for podcasters?
Descript is purpose-built for podcast and video editing with its Overdub voice cloning feature. It lets you fix mistakes by typing corrections that generate in your cloned voice.
Are there any ElevenLabs alternatives with free voice cloning?
Chatterbox offers free, open-source voice cloning. Play.ht and Resemble AI also have limited free tiers that include voice cloning features.
Which alternative supports the most languages?
Azure AI Speech supports 140+ languages with 500+ voices. Play.ht covers 142 languages with 900+ voices. For Asian languages specifically, Fish Audio excels.
Final Verdict
ElevenLabs is excellent, but it’s not irreplaceable.
- For content creators, Murf AI provides a superior production environment
- For high-volume users, Play.ht offers better value with unlimited downloads
- For enterprise voice cloning, Resemble AI leads the industry
- For podcasters, Descript’s Overdub feature is game-changing
- For developers on a budget, Chatterbox delivers ElevenLabs-quality for free
The AI voice generation market has matured dramatically. Whether you prioritize cost, quality, ethics, or specific features, there’s an alternative that fits your needs better than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our top recommendation for most users: Murf AI — it combines quality voices, production tools, and reasonable pricing into a package that just works.
Have questions about choosing an AI voice generator? Let us know in the comments below.
Schema Markup Notes
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- itemReviewed: “ElevenLabs Alternatives”
- ratingValue: N/A (roundup article)
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FAQ Schema Questions:
- Is ElevenLabs the best AI voice generator?
- What’s the cheapest ElevenLabs alternative?
- Which ElevenLabs alternative has the best voice cloning?
- Can I use ElevenLabs alternatives for commercial projects?
- Which alternative is best for podcasters?
- Are there any ElevenLabs alternatives with free voice cloning?
- Which alternative supports the most languages?
Internal Links to Add:
- /reviews/elevenlabs/ (ElevenLabs review)
- /reviews/murf-ai/ (Murf AI review)
- /reviews/descript/ (Descript review)
- /best/ai-voice-generators/ (Best AI Voice Generators roundup)
- /comparisons/elevenlabs-vs-murf-ai/ (potential future comparison)
- /glossary/text-to-speech/ (TTS definition)
- /glossary/voice-cloning/ (Voice cloning definition)
Secondary Keywords: ElevenLabs alternative, best AI voice generators 2026, text to speech alternatives, voice cloning alternatives
