Google Cloud Text-to-Speech vs Simple TTS Reader
Google Cloud Text-to-Speech
cloud.google.comSimple TTS Reader
simplettsreader.sourceforge.ioSide by side
| Figure | Google Cloud Text-to-Speech | Simple TTS Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 14 | 1 |
| Spec score · Text-to-speech tools | 9.2 (#8) | 7.6 (#154) |
| Spec score · Text-to-Speech Software | 9.0 (#13) | 7.5 (#162) |
| Commercial use | Yes | Yes |
| Export formats | MP3,LINEAR16,OGG_OPUS,MULAW,ALAW | WAV,Opus,Ogg Vorbis |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| License | The public Google API protocol definition is licensed under Apache License 2.0; the hosted synthesis service itself is proprietary. | The SourceForge project page lists Apache License V2.0. |
| Platforms | web,api | Windows |
| Purpose | The API converts text into natural-sounding speech and can accept text or SSML input to produce audio data. | Simple TTS Reader reads copied clipboard text aloud. |
| Use cases | Google describes use cases including contact-center voicebots, voice generation in devices, and accessible electronic program guides. | The maker says the app works with text from websites, Word documents, PDFs, and AI chatbot responses. |
Plans
Google Cloud Text-to-Speech
- Standard voices$4 a month
- WaveNet voices$4 a month
- Neural2 voices$16 a month
- Polyglot voices$16 a month
- Chirp 3: HD voices$30 a month
- Studio voices$160 a month
- Instant custom voice$60 a month
- Gemini 2.5 Flash TTS and Gemini 2.5 Flash-Lite Preview TTSPrice not published
- Gemini 3.1 Flash TTSPrice not published
- Gemini 2.5 Flash TTS / Gemini 2.5 Flash-Lite Preview TTSPrice not published
In their own words
Google Cloud Text-to-Speech
Google Cloud Text-to-Speech is an API that converts text or SSML into audio data for applications. It offers more than 380 voices across more than 75 languages and variants, with REST or gRPC integration and output formats including MP3, LINEAR16, OGG_OPUS, MULAW, and ALAW. Gemini-TTS supports single- or multispeaker speech guided by natural-language prompts for style, accent, pace, tone, and emotional expression. Chirp 3 instant custom voice can create a personalized voice model from as little as 10 seconds of audio and is available in more than 30 locales. Streaming synthesis supports real-time conversations, while long-audio synthesis accepts up to 1 million bytes of input. Speech controls include pitch, speaking rate, and volume gain. Billing counts input characters, including spaces, newlines, and SSML tags except the mark tag, and billing must be enabled. Standard and WaveNet voices cost US$4 per 1 million characters, with 0 to 4 million characters free. Other voice models have different rates and free-use limits. New customers can receive $300 in Google Cloud credits.
Simple TTS Reader
Simple TTS Reader has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.