What is Azure AI Speech?
Azure AI Speech provides speech-to-text, neural text-to-speech, speech translation and custom neural voice through Microsoft Azure. It is used by enterprises to build voice apps, contact centres and accessibility features.
Best for: Developers, Enterprises.
Key features
- Neural text-to-speech
- Speech-to-text
- Speech translation
- Custom neural voice
- Avatar and SSML support
Pros and cons
Pros
- Hundreds of voices and locales
- Enterprise compliance
- Generous free tier
Cons
- Requires developer setup
- Custom voice is gated by approval
Azure AI Speech pricing
| Pricing model | Free plan |
|---|---|
| Starting price | Free |
| Platforms | API |
| Launched | 2018 |
Prices change often. Check the Azure AI Speech website for current plans.
Our verdict
Azure AI Speech scores 8.2/10 in our review. Its biggest strength: hundreds of voices and locales. The main drawback: requires developer setup. If it isn't the right fit, OpenAI API is the closest alternative.
Frequently asked questions
What is Azure AI Speech?
Azure AI Speech provides speech-to-text, neural text-to-speech, speech translation and custom neural voice through Microsoft Azure. It is used by enterprises to build voice apps, contact centres and accessibility features.
Is Azure AI Speech free?
Azure AI Speech has a free plan with limits.
What are the best Azure AI Speech alternatives?
Popular alternatives include OpenAI API, ElevenLabs, Anthropic API, Google Gemini API.
Who is Azure AI Speech best for?
Azure AI Speech is best for developers, enterprises.