Review: Elevenlabs vs Play.HT for AI Voice Cloning

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, voice cloning tools have gained significant traction, enabling users to replicate their voices with stunning accuracy. Today, we will explore two leading AI voice cloning services: Elevenlabs and Play.HT. Unlike many of the technical AI tools that require programming knowledge, these services are user-friendly and accessible to anyone, making them perfect for a wide range of applications from podcasts to voicemails.

The Contenders

Elevenlabs

Elevenlabs is renowned for its natural-sounding voice synthesis, making it a favorite among professionals engaged in high-quality audio projects. The process is straightforward: After creating an account, users record and upload clear voice samples, ideally lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. The system processes these files over a few hours, and then users can input text to generate speech in their cloned voice.

Play.HT

Play.HT is notable for its user-friendly interface and extensive language support, providing users with a wide range of options beyond English. The setup process mirrors that of Elevenlabs, requiring sample recordings that are then processed to create a personalized voice clone.

Voice Samples Comparison

After uploading over 5.5 hours of my voice from various YouTube videos and courses, I conducted tests to compare the two voice cloning services.

First, let’s listen to how both tools handle an introductory video script:

• Elevenlabs: "Hi, Jeremy Morgan here. Today we will evaluate two different AI voice cloning tools."
• Play.HT: "Hi, Jeremy Morgan here. Today we will evaluate two different AI voice cloning tools."

In my opinion, Elevenlabs sounded more like my true voice, natural and less robotic, yet it had a somewhat boring tone. Play.HT, while more energetic, had a more robotic sound.

Subsequent tests included narrations in different emotional tones, such as joy, sadness, and surprise. While Play.HT performed better with sadness, both services showed strengths and weaknesses in emotional delivery.

Key Features

Elevenlabs

• Extensive built-in voice library
• Sound effects generation
• Dubbing studio for multi-language translation
• Audio native feature for web page audio conversion
• Voice isolator for clearer recordings in noisy environments

Play.HT

• Higher energy voice options
• Additional voices available in multiple languages
• Recently launched Play 3.0 with enhanced features

Pricing

Understanding the cost of each service is crucial for users:

• Elevenlabs:

  • Free plan includes 10 minutes of text-to-speech monthly.
  • Creator level at $ 11 (currently on sale) for 100 minutes/month.
  • Pro account at $ 99 for extensive use.

• Play.HT:

  • Free plan offers an instant voice clone for 30 minutes of speech.
  • Creator subscription at $ 39 for enhanced capabilities.
  • Unlimited characters for $ 348 annually, making it a bargain for heavy use.

Final Verdict

Both Elevenlabs and Play.HT offer unique strengths. If you prioritize a more natural-sounding voice and a plethora of features, Elevenlabs is the way to go despite its higher price. Conversely, Play.HT serves as an excellent option for those on a budget seeking satisfactory results without sacrificing functionality.

In choosing between the two, consider your specific needs, including the volume of voice content you plan to produce and your budget constraints.

Conclusion

I hope this review helps you in your quest to find the right AI voice cloning tool. If you’re interested in generative AI topics, subscribe to my channel for more insightful content, or check out my upcoming book focusing on leveraging generative AI for developers.

Keywords

• Elevenlabs
• Play.HT
• AI voice cloning
• Natural-sounding synthesis
• User-friendly
• Pricing
• Voice samples comparison
• Emotional delivery
• Text-to-speech

FAQ

Q1: What is the main difference between Elevenlabs and Play.HT?
A1: Elevenlabs is known for its more natural-sounding voice and extensive features, while Play.HT is more user-friendly with multiple language supports and a more energetic tone.

Q2: Can I try these services for free?
A2: Yes, both services offer free plans: Elevenlabs with 10 minutes of text-to-speech and Play.HT with an instant voice clone based on 30 minutes of speech.

Q3: How much does Elevenlabs cost?
A3: Elevenlabs offers a free plan, a Creator level at $ 11/month (currently on sale), and a Pro account at $ 99/month.

Q4: What emotional tones can these tools replicate?
A4: Both tools can replicate various emotional tones, but performance may vary; you may find one service performs better in specific emotional contexts than the other.

Q5: Which service is better for podcasts?
A5: For podcasts, Elevenlabs is likely the better choice due to its more accurate voice synthesis, while Play.HT is suitable for those with budget limitations seeking solid results.