Voice tool profile
Kokoro TTS
An open-source text-to-speech model from Hexgrad with 82M parameters (Apache 2.0). Studio-quality speech at nearly 100x real-time; ~48 voices across 8 languages in community builds; runs locally or via hosted demos.
- Best for
- Developers and creators who want free, self-hosted TTS without per-character fees, and who can handle model setup.
- Starting point
- Free and open source (Apache 2.0 license).
- Free plan
- Yes — Entire model is free (Apache 2.0).
- Key limitation
- Requires local setup/technical skill — not a plug-and-play SaaS.
Choose it if
Developers and creators who want free, self-hosted TTS without per-character fees, and who can handle model setup.
Avoid it if
- Requires local setup/technical skill — not a plug-and-play SaaS.
- Voice quality below top commercial engines (ElevenLabs) for emotional range.
- Community voice packs vary; official model focuses on a smaller voice set.
Free-plan suitability
Entire model is free (Apache 2.0). No account or credits needed for self-hosted use; hosted demo sites offer free generation.
Where it fits
Developers and creators who want free, self-hosted TTS without per-character fees, and who can handle model setup.
Pricing note
- Starting point
- Free and open source (Apache 2.0 license).
- Free plan
- Yes — Entire model is free (Apache 2.0).
Free and open source (Apache 2.0 license). Self-hosted — no subscription; run locally or on your own hardware. 82M-parameter model, ~100x real-time generation speed. Hosted demos (TTS.ai, Rewind.ai, Unreal Speech) are free to try; commercial services built on Kokoro may charge.
Verify the current plan, credits, output limits, and commercial terms before purchasing.
Estimate your voice costIs it legit?
Who is behind Kokoro TTS, where it is based, and what is publicly known about its funding. Company details change — verify on the official site before committing.
- Company
- Hexgrad (community project)
- Founded
- 2024
- Funding
- Open-source (Apache 2.0); HF Space by hexgrad; used by TTS.ai, Rewind.ai, Unreal Speech
Free plan details
Entire model is free (Apache 2.0). No account or credits needed for self-hosted use; hosted demo sites offer free generation.
Trade-offs to check
- Requires local setup/technical skill — not a plug-and-play SaaS.
- Voice quality below top commercial engines (ElevenLabs) for emotional range.
- Community voice packs vary; official model focuses on a smaller voice set.
What Kokoro TTS does
- Apache 2.0 open-source TTS model (82M params)
- ~100x real-time generation
- English-focused with 8 languages in community builds
- Runs locally, on CPU/GPU, or via free hosted demos
- Downloadable audio, live streaming output
Evaluation guide
Step-by-step evaluation guides for Kokoro TTS — workflow fit, pricing, rights, and a same-input test before paying.
Compare Kokoro TTS with alternatives
Side-by-side pages that weigh Kokoro TTS against overlapping tools on the same five fields.
Where Kokoro TTS appears
Best-of lists and roundups that include Kokoro TTS.
Official sources
These links are retained beside the catalog record so changing details can be rechecked.