Tortoise TTS vs ElevenLabs: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Tortoise TTS and ElevenLabs comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Tortoise TTS
Generate highly realistic, multi-voice text-to-speech with natural prosody and intonation.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ai voice features specifically
- • Generates highly realistic, multi-voice speech.
- • Emphasizes natural prosody and intonation.
ElevenLabs
AI voice generation
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.9/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need audio editing features specifically
- • AI voice synthesis platform with ultra-realistic text-to-speech and voice cloning capabilities.
- • Features 32 languages, 75ms latency Flash model, and emotional expression in v3.
| At a Glance |  Tortoise TTS |  ElevenLabs |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | AI Voice | Audio Editing |
Rating | —/100 | 89/100 |
| Feature | Tortoise TTS | ElevenLabs |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 89 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AI Voice | Audio EditingAPI Tools |
How Tortoise TTS and ElevenLabs Compare
Tortoise TTS
Generate highly realistic, multi-voice text-to-speech with natural prosody and intonation.
Free
ElevenLabs
AI voice generation
Free tier available · 89/100 score
Tortoise TTS is a ai voice tool. ElevenLabs is in audio editing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Tortoise TTS is free. ElevenLabs is freemium.
Go with: Tortoise TTS
Want the highest-rated option?
ElevenLabs scores 89/100. Tortoise TTS is unrated.
Go with: ElevenLabs
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: ElevenLabs
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Tortoise TTS is free. ElevenLabs is freemium. Go with Tortoise TTS if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Tortoise TTS is a ai voice tool. ElevenLabs is in audio editing. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
ElevenLabs
- Higher score: 89/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Tortoise TTS
- Completely free
- Better fit for ai voice
The Bottom Line
ElevenLabs (89/100) is our pick. That said, Tortoise TTS is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tortoise TTS or ElevenLabs better?
ElevenLabs scores 89/100 in our evaluation. Tortoise TTS is free and ElevenLabs is freemium.
What are Tortoise TTS and ElevenLabs used for?
Tortoise TTS: Generate highly realistic, multi-voice text-to-speech with natural prosody and intonation.. ElevenLabs: AI voice generation.
What does Tortoise TTS cost vs ElevenLabs?
Tortoise TTS is completely free. ElevenLabs is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.