ElevenLabs is making waves as a major Generative AI tool. This ElevenLabs review is for you if you’ve ever wondered about a platform that can generate lifelike voices with incredible accuracy.
The internet is littered with comments of people parading this tool as a game changer in the content creation space but does it really deliver? This ElevenLabs review was written to answer that.
This blog will give you an overview of ElevenLab’s features, pricing, pros and cons. To cap it off, we’ll give a submission of our thoughts on this tool. Let’s get started.
What Is ElevenLabs?
ElevenLabs is an advanced AI text-to-speech (TTS) tool. Its main claim to fame is the ability to generate human-like voiceovers that sound natural and engaging. Founded in 2022, the platform was set to level up audio content creation for businesses, educators, and creators alike.
Unlike traditional TTS systems, ElevenLabs doesn’t sound robotic or monotone. Instead, it focuses on delivering nuanced, expressive, and context-aware speech. This is a tool targeted at podcasters, YouTubers, and even teachers as a solution for creating professional-quality audio without hiring voice actors.
ElevenLabs Review: Key Features
1. Voice Cloning
This is its most notable feature. ElevenLabs allows users to clone voices with remarkable accuracy. You can upload a short voice sample, and the platform replicates the tone, pitch, and inflection of the original speaker. It’s perfect for creators who want consistency across their projects without the time dedication.
One thing that stands out about this feature is that the ElevenLabs tool captures the nuances and accents of different voices. It clones the original voice to convey emotions, creating speech that feels authentic and full of sentiment.
2. Multilingual Support
The platform supports multiple languages, making it a valuable tool for global users. Whether you need voiceovers in English, Spanish, or French, ElevenLabs has you covered.
3. Custom Voice Creation
Not satisfied with the pre-set voices? ElevenLabs lets you design your own custom voice from scratch. You can tweak and rework a voice to your liking. This feature is especially handy for branding purposes.
4. Context-Aware Speech
The AI doesn’t just read text; it understands it. This means the tool adjusts tone and emphasis based on the context of the script, delivering a more natural listening experience.
5. Fast Processing
ElevenLabs boasts quick turnaround times. Once you input your text, the platform generates audio almost instantly, saving you time.
6. Ease of Use
The tool is easy to navigate. It has straightforward settings such as Stability and Clarity/Similarity sliders.
7. AI Voices (Sounds HumanLike)
This tool provides a wide array of voices that sound human. They cater to a slew of needs. Do you need a gentle female voice with an American accent for storytelling? ElevenLabs makes these available. There are deeper pitches and rich baritones to choose from.
8. Professional Narration Tools
If you’re a professional narrator, here is some good news. ElevenLabs offers professional narrators the option of selling usage rights for their voices. This provides a new revenue opportunity.
9. AI Dubbing
Recently, Mr. Beast (unarguably the biggest YouTuber in the world) dubbed his content into European languages to widen his audience. If you don’t have the beast budget to hire native translators, no worries.
ElevenLAbs translates videos into over 25 languages, broadening global reach. Users can upload videos from their computers or platforms like YouTube and TikTok and easily create dubbed versions of their content.
10. Sound Effects Creation
Many times, audio, and video content need some extra ‘oomph’ to enliven it. Fortunately, ELevenLabs is capable of generating sound effects from text descriptions. In need of rain and thunder sounds to amplify a part of a story? ask ElevenLabs to generate it.
11. Voice Isolator
ElevenLabs has a feature that extracts clear speech from audio recordings by removing background noise. This is a great way to achieve cleaner voiceovers.
12. Natural Voice Quality
The AI voices are very human-like, complete with appropriate pauses and tone variations. They are nothing like the monotonous robotic voices everyone associates with AI.
How to Use ElevenLabs
1. Sign Up
Start by creating an account on the ElevenLabs website. Signing up is quick and straightforward. All you need is an email address or an existing Google account to get started.
2. Choose a Plan
ElevenLabs offers both free and premium subscription options. While the free version provides access to basic features, upgrading to a premium plan unlocks advanced capabilities.
These include higher word limits and enhanced voice cloning options. Choose a plan based on your usage needs, whether for casual projects or professional applications.
3. Upload or Input Text
After choosing your plan, decide what you want to convert into speech. You can either type text directly into the platform’s input box or upload a document containing the content.
4. Select a Voice
Here’s where the fun begins. Browse through a library of pre-existing voices to find one that suits your project. Alternatively, if you want something more personal, you can upload a voice sample for cloning. The platform will analyze the sample and create a custom voice clone for your use.
5. Generate Audio
Once your text and voice are ready, click the “Generate” button. In just a few seconds, the platform will convert your input into high-quality audio.
6. Download or Share
When the audio is ready, you can save it to your device for offline use. If needed, ElevenLabs also allows you to share the file directly from the platform, streamlining collaboration or publishing processes.
ElevenLabs Review: Pricing
Plan | Monthly Price |
Free | $0 |
Starter | $5 |
Creator | $11 |
Pro | $99 |
The free plan is great for testing the platform, but serious users will benefit from upgrading to a paid plan for additional features and flexibility.
Note: For price updates, please visit the ElevenLabs website.
ElevenLabs Review: Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-quality voice synthesis that sounds incredibly realistic and clear.
- Simplistic settings make it beginner-friendly while delivering stunning results.
- Versatile voice options cater to a wide array of needs, including regional accents and specific emotional tones.
- Community-driven support offers valuable resources for troubleshooting and user engagement.
- Ideal for creative uses like storytelling, advertising, and podcast production.
- Intuitive interface suitable for all skill levels.
- It may deliver “too perfect” results, restoring older voices to a youthful clarity while maintaining high realism. (This could be a pro or a con. It’s subjective to your voice cloning goals.)
Cons
- Struggles with replicating certain accents and voice characteristics, such as raspiness or subtle foreign accents.
- Voices sometimes trend toward “white English-speaking men,” limiting diversity.
- Overly “pristine” results can remove signature vocal qualities, making voices sound younger than intended.
- Lack of direct customer support or visible contact options on the website.
- Could develop issues with account activity, such as “unusual activity detected” messages and inaccessible subscription plans.
- The tool is cloud-based, so it requires a stable internet connection.
- Occasional voice glitches, such as random noises or shifts in tone.
- Requires careful proofing for longer projects to fix issues like speeding or accent changes.
- Limited emotive expressions and natural breathing in generated voices.
- Updates are routinely made to voice qualities. This could affect ongoing projects.
- ElevenLabs does not make provision for lip-syncing in translated videos.
Is ElevenLabs Right for You?
ElevenLabs isn’t for everyone, but it excels in certain scenarios. Are you a content creator looking for professional voiceovers? A business needing multilingual audio for training? Or a teacher creating accessible content for students? If you said yes to any of these, ElevenLabs might be worth exploring.
However, if you’re looking for a free, long-term solution, the platform’s limitations might frustrate you. Consider your budget and specific needs before committing.
The Bottom Line
ElevenLabs is a powerful, versatile tool for anyone needing high-quality voiceovers. Its lifelike audio, advanced features, and multilingual support make it a standout choice in the TTS market. While it’s not perfect, the platform delivers excellently well with a bit of fine-tuning.
ElevenLabs Review: FAQs
1. Is ElevenLabs Creator Worth It?
Yes, ElevenLabs Creator is worth it for users seeking high-quality AI voice generation. It offers advanced features like voice cloning, dubbing, and customizable settings, making it a valuable tool for creators, marketers, and professionals.
2. Is There Anything Better Than ElevenLabs?
While ElevenLabs is a leading voice AI tool, alternatives like Murf.ai and Descript may suit specific needs better. It depends on your requirements, such as pricing, features, or ease of use.
3. Can You Use ElevenLabs for Free?
Yes, ElevenLabs offers a free trial with limited features and character quotas, allowing you to test its capabilities before committing to a paid plan.
4. Is ElevenLabs Accurate?
ElevenLabs is highly accurate in generating human-like voices. However, occasional glitches, such as unnatural tones or random noises, may occur and require manual adjustments.