Microsoft Azure TTS vs Loudly: Which Is Better in 2026?
On balance, Microsoft Azure TTS comes out ahead — 8.2 to 7.2 — though the right answer depends on what you're producing. Microsoft Azure TTS leads on voice quality (8/10), while Microsoft Azure TTS delivers more for the money (9/10 on value).
Head-to-head
| Metric | Microsoft Azure TTS | Loudly |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.2 | 7.2 |
| Voice quality | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| Value | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| UI | 6.0 | 7.0 |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | $4/mo | $7/mo |
| Most popular plan | $16/mo | $23/mo |
| Languages supported | 142 | 1 |
| Voices in catalog | 500 | — |
| Voice cloning | Yes | No |
| API available | Yes | Yes |
| Emotion control | Yes | No |
| Multi-speaker | Yes | No |
| Commercial use | Yes | Yes |
| Audio quality | studio-48kHz | studio-44.1kHz |
| Output formats | mp3, wav, ogg, pcm | mp3, wav |
| Founded | 1975 · United States | 2014 · Germany |
| Enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
Pricing showdown
At entry pricing, Microsoft Azure TTS starts at $4/mo versus Loudly at $7/mo.
When to choose Microsoft Azure TTS
- You're auditioning against human voice talent and need to sound studio-grade.
- You're shipping high volume — the price-per-character math favors Microsoft Azure TTS as you scale.
- You're localizing for global markets and want one workflow per language family.
- Voice cloning is part of your workflow — Microsoft Azure TTS supports it, Loudly does not.
When to choose Loudly
- You prefer Loudly's editorial direction or have an existing workflow built around it.
Related comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Azure TTS or Loudly better for podcast voiceover?
For podcast voiceover, Microsoft Azure TTS edges out Loudly on our rubric (8.2 vs 7.2). The deciding factor is long-form consistency and natural pacing.
Which one is cheaper?
Microsoft Azure TTS starts at $4/month, cheaper than Loudly's $7/month entry plan.
Which has more languages?
Microsoft Azure TTS supports 142 languages; Loudly supports 1. Microsoft Azure TTS is the broader choice for multilingual projects.
Do both offer voice cloning?
Microsoft Azure TTS supports voice cloning; Loudly does not.
Which is better for e learning courses?
For e learning courses, Microsoft Azure TTS scores 8.4/10 versus Loudly's 7.2/10 — see our use-case page for the full ranked list.