Side by side
Amazon Polly vs Flite
Both stand on text-to-speech software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APIWeb
Amazon Polly offers several voice categories, access methods, and export formats, with a free tier alongside monthly paid plans. Buyers should compare the included request types and character allowances for the voice category they need.
Visit Amazon Polly Free plan AndroidAPILinux+3
Flite provides a compact speech engine with command-line and library interfaces, WAV output, and multiple deployment options. Its included voice favors low resource use over naturalness, so voice quality and licensing of included files deserve attention.
Visit FliteThe facts
| Amazon Polly | Flite | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Web | Android, API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Standard: $4 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Maker | Amazon Polly | Not published |
| Website | aws.amazon.com | github.com |
| On text-to-speech software | #27 of 223 | #23 of 223 |
Amazon Polly: what it does well
- Offers both API and web access.
- Lists 42 languages and voice cloning.
- Exports six listed audio formats.
- Free tier includes several voice categories.
What to know first
- Monthly charges vary by voice category.
- Free-tier allowances expire after 12 months for three categories.
Flite: what it does well
- Free open-source engine
- ANSI C library and command line
- Runs on small devices and servers
- Additional voices load from disk or HTTP
- Commercial use allowed for core code
What to know first
- Bundled voice sounds robotic
- Only one voice included
- Some included files have separate licenses
- Debug feature options can stop operation
Alternatives to Amazon Polly Alternatives to Flite The whole list