TTS AI Directory

Microsoft AI Speech (Azure Text-to-Speech)

Microsoft TTS Demo — Preview Neural Voices, SSML, Styles & Roles

In many ways the OGs of speech to text, Microsoft's AI Speech is a top-tier enterprise TTS: natural neural voices, granular SSML control (styles, roles, prosody), and clean SDK/REST integration. It scales well for IVR, apps, and studio workflows, and language coverage is broad enough for global use. If you need reliability, fine-tuning, and tight Azure ecosystem integration, this is a strong pick for production voiceover.

How many voices do you get?

Azure offers 400+ neural voices across 140+ languages and variants. Browse the current list in Microsoft’s Language & Voice support or sample them in the Voice Gallery.

Voice cloning

Azure supports “Custom Neural Voice” (Professional/Personal Voice) for brand-matched voices. Access is limited and requires explicit talent consent and Microsoft approval. See Limited Access policy and the consent requirements.

Voice creation

Beyond prebuilt voices, you can fine-tune delivery with SSML (styles, roles, prosody, pauses) and fix pronunciations via phonemes or custom lexicons (PLS/XML) referenced in SSML. Docs: SSML voice/style/role and custom lexicons.

How much does it cost?

Pay-as-you-go neural TTS typically prices around $15 per 1M characters, and commitment tiers reduce the rate (e.g., ~$12 per 1M at 80M chars/month, ~$9.75 per 1M at 400M). HD/custom voices and training/hosting are billed separately. A free tier is available on some SKUs; exact allowances vary by region/voice. Check Microsoft’s live pricing page for your region.

What do you get for the price?

  • Neural & (select) Neural HD voices across 140+ locales
  • SSML controls: styles, roles, pitch, rate, emphasis, pauses
  • Custom lexicons (PLS/XML) and phoneme-level tuning
  • SDKs & REST; region-based endpoints and voice listing
  • Real-time synthesis and downloadable audio (e.g., WAV/PCM, MP3, OGG/Opus)
  • Enterprise features: quotas, commitment tiers, Azure security & governance

How does the voice quality compare?

Azure’s neural voices are polished and consistent, with SSML styles/roles for nuanced reads. For creator-style hyper-expressive delivery, some boutique providers may sound more theatrical out of the box; Azure counters with reliability, broad language coverage, and enterprise-grade controls—especially strong if you already run on Azure.



Try Microsoft AI Speech on Azure
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Compare with our Amazon Polly Text-to-Speech and ElevenLabs Text-to-Speech pages

Microsoft AI Speech FAQ

What is Microsoft AI Speech?

Azure’s TTS turns text into lifelike speech using neural voices, with SSML controls for style, role, prosody, and pronunciation—integrated via SDKs or REST.

Is Azure Text-to-Speech free?

Azure provides a free tier and pay-as-you-go pricing. Allowances and rates vary by region and voice type—check Microsoft’s pricing page for current details.

Does Azure offer neural voices and customization?

Yes—neural and Neural HD voices, SSML styles/roles, pronunciation tuning, and a limited-access Custom Neural Voice program for brand voices (consent/approval required).

Does Microsoft AI Speech support SSML?

Yes. SSML lets you adjust voice, style, role, pitch, rate, emphasis, pauses, and phonemes, and reference custom lexicons.