Which text-to-speech model is cheapest?
To find the cheapest text-to-speech model, you need per-unit media pricing applied to your actual output. Aimed at teams choosing a TTS voice, this tool converts images, minutes or seconds into a cost you can budget around.
Results update automatically as you type.
| GPT-4o mini TTS | OpenAI | $15/1M chars | $150.00 |
Why this isn't trivial
The part people underestimate: TTS models price per character or second and vary widely, so the cheapest depends on your volume and quality needs. In practice the biggest savings come from picking the lowest-cost voice that sounds acceptable, so it is worth modelling before you commit.
How it's calculated
We estimate this by comparing per-character or per-minute rates across TTS models. Every figure uses the current provider prices baked into the site (reviewed daily), and you can override any input to match your own assumptions.
Frequently asked questions
Do cheaper voices sound worse?+
Sometimes; premium voices cost more but sound more natural — test for your use.
How do I compare fairly?+
Normalize to cost per minute of audio across models.
Are these prices up to date?+
Yes. The model prices behind this calculator are refreshed and reviewed daily, so your estimate reflects current provider rates rather than a stale snapshot.
Related
Estimates for planning. Pricing data last reviewed 28 July 2026.