The Best eSpeak Alternatives for Natural-Sounding Speech Synthesis

eSpeak is a compact, open-source speech synthesizer known for its small size and clear speech, making it suitable for high-speed use. However, its “formant synthesis” method, while efficient, often results in speech that is less natural or smooth compared to larger synthesizers based on human speech recordings. If you're looking for a more natural-sounding voice, additional features, or support for different platforms, exploring an eSpeak alternative is essential.

Top eSpeak Alternatives

Whether you need advanced text-to-speech capabilities, speech recognition, or multi-platform support, there's an eSpeak alternative out there for you. Here's a curated list of top contenders that offer a range of features and improvements over eSpeak's basic functionality.

Balabolka

Balabolka is a free Windows and PortableApps.com utility that stands out as an excellent eSpeak alternative. It excels in text-to-speech, reading from various document formats, and exporting to numerous audio formats. Key features include Android Sync, Audio Recording, and a tabbed interface, offering a more versatile experience than eSpeak.

Nuance Dragon

Nuance Dragon is a commercial powerhouse for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, primarily known for its advanced speech-to-text and dictation capabilities. Unlike eSpeak, it focuses on natural voice recognition and can even work offline, making it a superior choice for users who need precise transcription and voice control beyond simple text-to-speech.

Simple TTS Reader

Simple TTS Reader is a free Windows application that serves as a straightforward eSpeak alternative for basic text-to-speech needs. It functions as a clipboard reader, automatically reading aloud any copied text using installed speech engines like Microsoft Anna, offering a simple and effective solution.

NaturalReader

NaturalReader is a freemium eSpeak alternative available on Mac, Windows, and Web. It offers comprehensive text-to-speech functionality, reading various file types including text, MS Word, Internet Explorer webpages, and Adobe PDF files. Its support for Windows Hello adds an extra layer of convenience.

Gespeaker

Gespeaker is a free, open-source Linux-based eSpeak alternative that acts as a GTK+ frontend for eSpeak itself. It enhances eSpeak's capabilities by allowing users to play text in multiple languages with customizable settings for voice, pitch, volume, speed, and word gap, and even save the spoken text to audio files.

Speechify

Speechify is a freemium text-to-speech application for Mac, iPhone, Chrome OS, and iPad. It focuses on making text reading simple, fast, and easy, providing a more modern and accessible experience than eSpeak. Key features include support for keyboard shortcuts and a user-friendly interface.

TextAloud

TextAloud is a commercial Windows text-to-speech application developed by NextUp.com. It utilizes AT&T Natural Voices for more natural-sounding speech compared to eSpeak, and can also integrate with Windows Hello, making it a robust option for users seeking higher quality voice output.

Any Text to Voice

Any Text to Voice is a free Windows text-to-speech app that reads text aloud on PC or phone and allows saving text to audio files. It offers offline reading capabilities, providing a convenient and accessible eSpeak alternative for users on the go.

Read Aloud - Browser Extension

Read Aloud is a free, open-source browser extension for Chrome and Firefox, providing an immediate eSpeak alternative for web content. It allows users to select and read text from the screen in different languages, with adjustable speed, pitch, and other settings, making web browsing more accessible.

ReadSpeaker

ReadSpeaker is a commercial web-based text-to-speech solution that also supports Android, iPhone, Blackberry, and iPad. It offers an API to speech-enable websites, mobile apps, and online documents, providing a comprehensive and scalable eSpeak alternative for content publishers and developers.

Central Access Reader

Central Access Reader (CAR) is a free, open-source Windows TTS application that serves as a direct eSpeak alternative for reading docx files and pasted text. It utilizes the voices already installed on your PC, offering a convenient and accessible solution for document reading.

Voice Dream Reader

Voice Dream Reader is a commercial mobile TTS reader available on iPhone and iPad. It's a feature-rich eSpeak alternative with extensive accessibility support, Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, and Pocket integration, and multiple language support, making it ideal for users with diverse reading needs.

Pericles: Text to Speech Screen Reader is a free web-page TTS screen reader available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, Chrome, and Firefox. Unlike eSpeak, it eliminates the need for cutting and pasting, benefiting people with disabilities and offering seamless web content reading through its Chrome extensions.

Loquendo TTS

Loquendo TTS is a commercial Windows-based text-to-speech software renowned for its truly natural-sounding voices. As an eSpeak alternative, it excels in reading dynamic data and prompts in various applications, offering multiple languages and speech recognition capabilities for a premium voice experience.

Easy Speech2Text

Easy Speech2Text is a free Windows software that offers both speech-to-text and text-to-speech functionalities, making it a versatile eSpeak alternative. It simplifies converting voice into plain text and supports converting text into speech, providing a comprehensive solution for various vocal interactions.

The best eSpeak alternative for you will depend on your specific needs, whether you prioritize natural voice quality, additional features like speech recognition, platform compatibility, or open-source availability. Explore these options to find the perfect fit that enhances your text-to-speech experience.