Freedom251 › Text-to-Speech Software
Balabolka
What Balabolka is
Balabolka is a text-to-speech program for Windows and API use. It reads clipboard content and documents such as DOCX, EPUB, HTML, PDF, RTF, and XLSX, then can save speech as WAV, MP3, MP4, OGG, OPUS, or WMA files. Microsoft Speech API versions provide controls for voice rate and pitch, while regular-expression rules can adjust pronunciations. Synchronized text can be stored in LRC files or MP3 tags for display during playback in compatible players. Balabolka does not include speech voices, so the computer needs at least one installed voice; listed options include Microsoft Speech API 4.x, 5.x, and Microsoft Speech Platform engines. A portable edition runs without installation from a USB drive. Separate command-line utilities support speech generation, SAPI engines, and listed online TTS services. The maker says Yandex SpeechKit stopped working in the application on October 11, 2026. Non-commercial use is free; the listed commercial license is €80, paid once, while another commercial plan lists €80 a month.
Who it suits
Balabolka suits people who need to turn documents or clipboard text into audio on Windows. Commercial organizations and paid audio distributors need its commercial license and separate voice licensing.
What it does well
- Reads clipboard content and many document formats
- Exports WAV, MP3, MP4, OGG, OPUS, and WMA
- Adjusts speech rate and pitch
- Portable version runs from a USB drive
- Supports pronunciation rules and synchronized text
What to know first
- Computer must already have an installed speech voice
- Commercial license does not include speech engines
- Large conversions face the WAV size limit
- No free trial is listed
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freeware | Non-commercial use | On request |
| Commercial license | Commercial use of the software | €80 a month |
| Balabolka (non-commercial use) | Free for non-commercial use · commercial use requires a license | Free |
| Balabolka commercial license | Balabolka license is €80 · Required for commercial organization use or creating and distributing audio on paid platforms · does not include voices · does not permit incorporating Balabolka or its utilities into other products | €80, paid once |
As cross-plus-a.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Balabolka combines broad document input, speech controls, multiple audio formats, and portable use. Check voice availability and licensing requirements before commercial work.
Facts from Balabolka's own pages
- API access
- Yes · cross-plus-a.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Audio text sync
- Balabolka can save synchronized text in external LRC files or in MP3 tags, allowing text to display in sync during playback in compatible players. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Automation
- The separate command-line utility can read text aloud or save it as an audio file and supports SAPI 4, SAPI 5, and Microsoft Speech Platform. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Commercial licensing
- The maker says its commercial license does not include speech engines, so users must resolve voice licensing for commercial use separately. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Commercial use
- Yes · cross-plus-a.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Export formats
- WAV,MP3,MP4,OGG,OPUS,WMA · cross-plus-a.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · cross-plus-a.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Online TTS services
- The separate command-line Online TTS Utility lists Google Cloud TTS, Amazon Polly, Baidu TTS, CereVoice Cloud, IBM Watson TTS, Iciba TTS, iTranslate TTS, Microsoft Azure, Naver TTS, OpenAI TTS, Youdao TTS, and Yandex SpeechKit. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Output limit
- The FAQ says text conversion is limited by the WAV format’s size limit of just under 4 GB and recommends splitting large documents. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- Windows · cross-plus-a.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Portable use
- The portable version does not require installation and can run from a USB drive. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Pronunciation
- Users can apply pronunciation correction rules based on regular expressions. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Balabolka is a text-to-speech program that can read text aloud and save on-screen text as an audio file. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Speech controls
- It uses Microsoft Speech API versions and allows users to adjust voice parameters such as rate and pitch. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker invites comments and suggestions by email at [email protected]. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Text inputs
- It can read clipboard content and supports numerous document formats, including DOCX, EPUB, HTML, PDF, RTF, and XLSX. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Voice integrations
- The voices page lists Microsoft Speech API 4.x/5.x and Microsoft Speech Platform engines as supported options. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Voice requirement
- Balabolka itself contains no speech voices, and a computer must have at least one voice installed. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Yandex status
- The maker states that access to Yandex SpeechKit stopped working in the Balabolka application on October 11, 2026. · cross-plus-a.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Balabolka stands on Freedom251
- Text-to-Speech Software#38 of 223
- Text-to-speech tools#137 of 232