Mobile App Development Company

The text-to-speech (TTS) market has evolved rapidly, fueled by advancements in AI, machine learning, and natural language processing. One of the key players in this space is Speechify, an app known for its natural-sounding voices, intuitive interface, and wide array of reading-friendly features. But what does Speechify's pricing strategy reveal to developers and entrepreneurs looking to build a similar or superior product in 2025?

Whether you're exploring TTS for accessibility, productivity, or content creation, understanding the economics behind these tools can help developers position their product more strategically. In this article, we break down Speechify’s pricing model, compare it to alternatives, and analyze what it means to build an app like Speechify—both in terms of features and development cost.

Speechify in 2025: Pricing, Features, and Value

How Much Does Speechify Cost Per Year?

Speechify operates on a freemium model, offering basic features for free and charging for premium capabilities. As of 2025, Speechify's premium plans cost:

• 29/month for monthly billing
• 139/year for annual billing (a savings of over 60%)

This pricing places Speechify in the mid-tier category of TTS apps—affordable for professionals, students, and content creators, while offering advanced features such as:

• Natural AI voices
• Speed control
• Text highlighting
• Multiple accents and languages
• Article and PDF reading support
• Integration with web content and documents

Speechify's strength lies in balancing user-friendliness with AI sophistication, which explains its continued popularity.

Is There Anything Better Than Speechify?

While Speechify is one of the leaders in the TTS space, "better" is subjective and depends on your use case. If you're developing a new app or looking for alternatives, here’s how Speechify cost compares to its closest competitors in 2025.

Murf AI:

• Pricing: 19 – 99/month
• Key Features: Voice cloning, wide variety of voices, studio-grade editing tools
• Use Case: Professional content creation, voiceovers, and corporate narration

Murf AI offers more customization and higher production quality than Speechify, making it ideal for creative professionals.

ElevenReader:

• Pricing: Free to start; subscription plans launching later in 2025
• Key Features: Advanced voice personalization, dynamic inflection
• Use Case: Personalized reading and entertainment

ElevenReader is one of the most AI-forward apps, and its free model is particularly attractive to early adopters.

NaturalReader:

• Pricing: Free plan; premium tiers available
• Key Features: Accessibility tools, offline reading, simple interface
• Use Case: Education, personal use, visually impaired users

NaturalReader is focused on accessibility, making it ideal for schools and institutions.

Maestra AI:

• Pricing: Varies; Chrome extension available
• Key Features: Real-time speech translation, voice dubbing, transcription
• Use Case: Multilingual content, educational translation, media

Maestra’s real-time translation and multilingual capabilities make it a strong candidate for global content strategies.

Cartesia:

• Pricing: Free to 299/month
• Key Features: Advanced AI voice cloning, real-time synthesis
• Use Case: Developers, startups, and agencies with niche needs

Cartesia is a power user’s playground, with API-level control and deep AI integration.

Which is the Best Text-to-Speech Software?

There is no single best TTS app—the best depends on:

• Who you are: Student, educator, content creator, business professional, developer?
• What you need: Accessibility, content creation, multilingual output, voice cloning?
• Your budget: Free, affordable monthly plans, or enterprise-level investments?

What Does It Cost to Build an App Like Speechify in 2025?

Estimated Development Cost

The cost to build a Text To Speech app like Speechify can range from 40,000 to 150,000, depending on the complexity and feature set.

Here’s a rough breakdown of where those costs go:

Custom AI Features = Higher Cost, Higher Engagement

Features like voice cloning, emotion-aware speech, and real-time translation raise the development cost but offer huge differentiation. These AI-driven enhancements can personalize reading experiences, making your app more appealing to niche audiences like educators, dyslexic users, or corporate content creators.

Key Considerations When Developing a TTS App in 2025

To compete with Speechify and other leaders, your app must check several critical boxes:

1. Variety and Quality of Voices

Users now expect hyper-realistic voices. This means investing in neural TTS models or partnering with providers like ElevenLabs, Google Cloud, or AWS Polly.

2. Voice Cloning and Customization

Users want to create voices that sound like themselves or a favorite narrator. This is a standout feature in Murf AI and Cartesia, and it’s rapidly becoming table stakes.

3. Real-Time Features

Apps like Maestra offer real-time speech translation, enabling global reach. Offering on-the-fly translation or instant voice generation can make your app indispensable.

4. Accessibility and Usability

Clean UX, dyslexia-friendly fonts, highlighting, and offline capabilities can make or break adoption, especially in educational and assistive markets.

5. AI Security and Surveillance Compliance

Especially if you're using voice data, it's critical to ensure your app adheres to privacy regulations and AI ethics. Avoid data misuse or unauthorized voice cloning, particularly in regulated markets.

MicMonster vs. Speechify: A Quick Comparison

Though not as widely known, MicMonster offers a compelling mix of affordability and voice options.

MicMonster may not have the polish of Speechify, but it's cost-effective and packed with usable voices—great for solopreneurs and content marketers.

Final Thoughts: What Speechify’s Pricing Strategy Tells Us

Speechify has found a sweet spot: offering strong AI features at a price point low enough for students but robust enough for professionals. Its success shows that users are willing to pay for personalized, high-quality TTS experiences, especially when it boosts productivity or accessibility.

For developers, this means:

• There's room to innovate, particularly with custom AI.
• Freemium models work, but must be carefully balanced.
• Voice cloning, real-time processing, and multilingual support are the new battlegrounds.
• Compliance with AI ethics will shape long-term success.

In Summary

Are you planning to build a Speechify alternative or need help designing the perfect TTS experience? Understanding the pricing, tech stack, and user expectations in 2025 can make or break your launch.