Many users of subscription-based AI text-to-speech (TTS) services like Speechify or NaturalReader find themselves facing an unexpected restriction: a monthly word limit. While these limits are a natural consequence of the business model, they are often not clearly communicated, leading to surprise and frustration.
Speechify’s Word Limit: What You Need to Know
Currently, Speechify imposes a monthly word limit of 100,000 words. This may sound like a lot, but depending on your reading habits, it might not be enough. For example, reading just one large book could exceed this limit. It’s worth noting that other AI-driven TTS services also have similar limitations, though these are sometimes expressed in characters rather than words.
Why the limit? Since AI-generated voices are processed on the provider’s server, each word incurs a cost. If there were no cap, companies could end up losing money, making the service unsustainable. However, the 100,000-word limit on Speechify may feel restrictive for heavy users, particularly considering that it can take several thousand words just to read a single chapter of a typical book.
The Cost of AI Voices: Why the Limit Exists
The price you pay for services like Speechify reflects the high costs of generating high-quality AI voices. These sophisticated voice engines require significant computing power, which translates into substantial costs for providers. As a result, limits like Speechify’s 100,000-word cap are in place to balance user access with the costs of maintaining the service.
Alternatives to Speechify: Speech Central and Azure AI Voices
If you’re looking for a more flexible solution, Speech Central offers a compelling alternative. Rather than paying for a subscription-based service with a restrictive word limit, Speech Central allows users to lease AI voices directly from providers like Microsoft Azure. This means you can enjoy more flexible usage without worrying about hitting a hard limit each month.
Even better, Microsoft Azure offers a free tier with 500,000 characters per month—roughly equivalent to what Speechify offers in its paid plans. And if you need more than the free tier allows, you can switch to a paid tier with unlimited usage, only paying for what you actually consume.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Text-to-Speech Solution
While Speechify’s 100,000-word limit might be enough for casual users, those who consume a large volume of text may find it restrictive. Services like Speech Central, which allows leasing voices from AI providers like Microsoft Azure, offer greater flexibility and cost control. With the option to use Azure’s free tier or pay for only what you use, heavy users can read as much as they want without being limited by a monthly cap.
You can try Speech Central for yourself by downloading it here: