# An ElevenLabs alternative priced per character

> AI Text to Speech is an ElevenLabs alternative for plain text to speech: 365 voices from MiniMax, OpenAI and Gemini, no subscription required, at $0.061 to $0.100 per 1,000 characters. On October 6, 2026, ElevenLabs' Starter plan worked out to $0.200 per 1,000 characters on its multilingual model. ElevenLabs remains the choice for voice cloning, dubbing and its API.

If you need finished speech rather than a voice platform, you may not need a monthly plan. Here is an honest price comparison and when ElevenLabs is still the better choice.

## At a glance

- **Here:** $0.061 to $0.100 per 1,000 characters
- **ElevenLabs Starter:** $6 a month for 30,000 credits
- **Prices checked:** October 6, 2026
- **To try it:** 5,000 free characters when you sign up

- No subscription needed
- Three engines
- Dated prices

[Try the voices](https://aitexttospeechfree.app/create)

## Why people look for an ElevenLabs alternative

- **Uneven usage**: Monthly credits suit steady work; occasional projects often leave credits unused.
- **Price per character**: For plain text to speech, the price per 1,000 characters is what matters.
- **More than one engine**: Comparing MiniMax, OpenAI and Gemini voices in one place helps find the right sound.
- **Commercial use from the start**: ElevenLabs' $0 plan excludes commercial use; here the sign-up credits come with it.

## How to compare for your own project

1. **Estimate your volume**: Count the characters you voice in a typical month; 1,000 characters is about a minute of English.
2. **Do the arithmetic**: Multiply by each option's price per 1,000 characters, including unused plan credits.
3. **Compare the sound**: Generate the same script on both and choose with your ears.

## Price per 1,000 characters, as of October 6, 2026

Computed from each public price list: plan price divided by the characters it includes, for standard multilingual voices.

- AI Text to Speech: $0.061 (largest plan) to $0.100 (smallest pack), no subscription required
- ElevenLabs Starter: $6 a month for 30,000 credits, $0.200 per 1,000 characters
- ElevenLabs Creator: $22 a month for 121,000 credits, $0.182 per 1,000 characters
- ElevenLabs Pro: $99 a month for 600,000 credits, $0.165 per 1,000 characters
- ElevenLabs lists its Flash and Turbo models at 0.5 to 1 credit per character for API use, which can halve its figures

## When ElevenLabs is the better choice

Be honest about what you need. ElevenLabs offers voice cloning, a large community voice library, dubbing, speech to speech, sound effects and a mature API. If your work depends on any of these, it is the stronger tool.

If you mostly paste scripts and download speech for videos, lessons or narration, a pay-per-character tool with strong stock voices can cost less, especially when your volume varies from month to month.


## What you get here

326 MiniMax Speech 02 HD voices in 24 languages, 9 OpenAI TTS-1 HD voices and 30 Gemini 2.5 Flash TTS voices; clips up to 4,000 characters; MP3 or WAV; packs from $4.99 that never expire while your account is open, or monthly plans from $9.99. There is no voice cloning and no API.


## AI Text to Speech vs. ElevenLabs

| | AI Text to Speech | ElevenLabs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price per 1,000 characters | $0.061 to $0.100 | $0.165 to $0.200 (Pro to Starter, multilingual model) |
| Subscription | Optional; packs available | Monthly plans |
| Trial | 5,000 free characters when you sign up | 10,000 credits a month, no commercial use |
| Voices | 365 stock voices, 3 engines | Large library and cloning |
| Voice cloning, dubbing, API | No | Yes |

## Text to speech pricing, per character

- Starter: $9.99 / month, 150,000 credits
- Creator: $24.99 / month, 400,000 credits
- Studio: $59.99 / month, 990,000 credits
- Small: $4.99, 50,000 credits
- Medium: $14.99, 200,000 credits
- Large: $39.99, 600,000 credits

## ElevenLabs alternative FAQ

### Is this cheaper than ElevenLabs?

For plain text to speech, usually: $0.061 to $0.100 per 1,000 characters here, against $0.165 to $0.200 on ElevenLabs' Pro to Starter plans with its multilingual model (October 6, 2026). Its Flash and Turbo models cost less through its API, and its plans include features this site does not have.

### Do you have the same voices as ElevenLabs?

No. ElevenLabs' voices belong to ElevenLabs. This site runs MiniMax, OpenAI and Gemini voices, which sound different; compare them on your own script.

### Can I clone a voice here?

No. Voice cloning is not offered, and imitating real people is against our terms. If you need cloning of your own voice, ElevenLabs is the better fit.

### Are you affiliated with ElevenLabs?

No. AI Text to Speech is an independent service. ElevenLabs is named only to compare publicly listed prices and features, dated so you can check them.

## Compare the sound for yourself

Paste the same script you use today. 5,000 free characters when you sign up.

_Last updated 2026-10-06_