Play Ht vs Descript: Best For AI Voice Clonning in 2025?

by | Jan 17, 2025

Winner
Descript BS
4.5
  • Text-Based Editing
  • AI Voice Cloning
  • Studio Sounds
  • Filler Removal
  • Multitrack Collaboration
  • Free Trial Available
  • Paid Plans from $16/month
Runner Up
Play HT BS
3.5
  • AI Voice Agents
  • Ultra Realistic Voices
  • Text-to-Speech
  • Voice Cloning
  • AI Pronunciation
  • Free Plan Available
  • Paid Plans from $31.20/month
Play Ht vs Descript

Want to clone your voice with AI but not sure where to start?

Nowadays, it seems everyone wants to create synthetic voices, whether for fun, accessibility, or to streamline their workflow. 

Two of the biggest names in the game are Play ht and Descript, both of which offer powerful voice cloning features.

But which one comes out on top in 2025?

In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between Play ht vs Descript, comparing their features to help you make the best choice for your needs.

Let’s dive in!

Overview

We’ve spent weeks testing both Play.ht and Descript to give you the most accurate comparison. 

Exploring their voice cloning capabilities, experimenting with different settings, and analyzing the quality of the generated voices.

This hands-on experience has given us valuable insights.

Play HT CTA
3.5out of 5

Ready to ditch robotic voices and embrace the future of audio with stunningly realistic AI voices? Start creating captivating content with Play ht today! 

Pricing: It has a free plan. The premium plan starts at $31.20/month.

Key Features:

Descript CTA
4.5out of 5

Descript takes podcast editing to another level with its AI capabilities. Need great editing features? Unlock a new level of creativity in your audio. Explore it today!

Pricing: It has a free plan. The premium plan starts at $16.00/month.

Key Features:

  • Transcription
  • Overdub (voice cloning)
  • Studio Sound

What is Play ht?

Have you ever wished you had a voice actor on demand? That’s precisely what Play.ht gives you!

It’s an AI-powered voice generator that can create realistic and expressive voices for various purposes.

You can use it to create voiceovers for videos, audiobooks, e-learning courses, and more.

It’s super easy to use and offers various voices and languages. Plus, you can even clone your voice!

Also, explore our favourite Play ht alternatives

Play HT Introduction

Our Take

Play HT CTA

Ready to ditch robotic voices and embrace the future of audio with stunningly realistic AI voices? Start creating captivating content with Play ht today! 

Key Benefits

  • Natural-sounding voices: Choose from 907+ AI-generated voices in 142 languages and accents.
  • Ease of use: The intuitive interface makes it super easy to convert text to speech in minutes.
  • Customization options: Adjust voice speed, pitch, and emphasis to get the perfect sound.
  • Integration: Works seamlessly with popular platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and YouTube.
  • Additional features: Includes audio editing tools, podcast hosting, and API access for developers.

Pricing

All the plans will be billed annually.

  • Free Plan: $0
  • Creator: $31.20/month.
  • Unlimited: $49/month.
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing based on your needs.
Play HT Pricing

Pros

  • It’s a huge voice library.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Seamless integration with other platforms.
  • Podcast hosting feature.
  • Affordable pricing.

Cons

  • The free plan is limited.
  • Some voices sound robotic.
  • Editing tools could be more robust.
  • Limited emotional range.

What is Descript?

Descript is more than just a voice cloner. It is an all-in-one audio and video editing powerhouse.

It’s like having a recording studio and editing suite on your computer! 

With Descript, you can easily record, transcribe, edit, and mix your audio and video projects.

It’s known for its innovative features like Overdub and Studio Sound (which magically enhances your audio quality).

Also, explore our favourite Descript alternatives

Descript Introduction

Our Take

Descript AI

Want to create studio-quality content 10x faster? Descript’s AI magic makes it possible. Explore it now and unleash your creativity!

Key Benefits

  • AI-powered transcription: Automatically transcribe audio and video.
  • Overdub: Create a synthetic version of your voice.
  • Podcast editing: Edit audio with text-based tools.
  • Video editing: Edit video with a focus on audio.
  • Collaboration features: Work on projects with others.

Pricing

All the plans will be billed annually.

  • Free: $0
  • Hobbyist: $16/month.
  • Creator: $24/month.
  • Business: $50/month.
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing based on your needs.
Descript Pricing

Pros

  • Game-changer for editing.
  • Overdub is incredibly realistic.
  • Makes me sound more professional.
  • Excellent collaboration tools.
  • Professional results.

Cons

  • Transcription can be imperfect.
  • The interface can feel overwhelming.
  • AI voice options are limited.
  • AI voice cloning may not always be perfect.

Feature Comparison

This analysis compares Play.ht, a leading audio generation platform specializing in natural sounding ai voices and voice cloning feature capabilities.

Descript, an innovative editing software platform built for podcast editing and video editor functions.

This feature comparison will clarify which tool is better for voice synthesis versus comprehensive multimedia editing videos and editing audio.

1. Core Focus and Primary Use Case

  • Play.ht: Primarily an audio generation and voice cloning feature platform. It is a service focused on creating professional voiceovers from written content and offering cross language voice cloning in various applications.
  • Descript: Primarily an editing software suite for audio and video production. Its core function is allowing users to edit audio and editing videos by editing transcribed text, perfect for youtube videos and podcast editing.

2. AI Voice Generation

  • Play.ht: Excels at creating natural sounding ai voices using cutting edge technology to generate audio that includes nuanced voice inflections. It offers an extensive library of humanlike voices.
  • Descript: Offers an own voice cloning feature (Overdub) and various ai generated voices for quick insertion or correction into a video or audio file. The focus is on editorial utility rather than library breadth.

3. Voice Cloning and Identity

  • Play.ht: Offers robust voice cloning features, including cross language voice cloning, allowing a speaker’s voice to generate audio in other languages with a native accent, perfect for business applications.
  • Descript: The cloning feature allows users to easily create their own voice for editing and synthesis. It is mainly used for correcting a mistake in a recorded video or audio file without re-recording.

4. Text-Based Editing Paradigm

  • Play.ht: Users import text or written content to generate audio. There is no capability to directly edit audio or editing videos by manipulating the generated text file.
  • Descript: Its defining feature is text-based editing audio and editing videos. Users upload a video or audio file, Descript transcribes it, and the user edits the audio and video production timeline by deleting words in the transcript.

5. Customization and Control

  • Play.ht: Allows users to save custom pronunciations and offers fine control over voice inflections and speech styles to ensure the generated voice content meets quality requirements for professional voiceovers.
  • Descript: Provides controls for audio and video production like removing filler words (um/uh), but lacks the deep voice synthesis control to create new different accents or different voices that Play.ht offers.

6. File Integration and Output

  • Play.ht: Outputs high-quality audio files in multiple formats suitable for various applications. The generated generate audio is meant to be the final voice layer.
  • Descript: Handles imports of nearly any video or audio file and allows editing videos and exporting watermark free video export, making it a key tool for audio and video content creators.

7. Interactive and Conversational AI

  • Play.ht: Offers specialized tools for building conversational assistants and ivr systems, requiring highly tailored ai generated voices that can respond appropriately in real-time or pre-recorded service scenarios.
  • Descript: Does not offer tools for real-time interaction or conversational assistants. Its focus is purely on post-production and basic editing of pre-existing audio and video content.

8. Enterprise and Feature Depth

  • Play ht: Offers robust API access for scalable business integration. It provides the ability to generate high quality audio files from written content for large marketing campaigns and training videos.
  • Descript: Provides a highly integrated set of tools including screen recording, multi-track podcast editing, and easy collaboration, making it a comprehensive solution for small to medium audio and video production teams.

9. Pricing Model and Free Access

  • Play.ht: Offers different pricing plans and usually a free trial to test its advanced ai voices before commitment, appealing to business and individual creators.
  • Descript: Offers a free trial & various subscription tiers for professional audio and video editing. Its value lies in consolidating tools like video editor and podcast editing into one editing software.

What to Look For in an AI Voice Generator?

  • Your Budget: Consider your budget and how many words or hours of audio you need monthly.
  • Voice Quality: Listen to voices capable samples and choose a platform that offers natural and expressive voices with multi voice feature and human like voices.
  • Ease of Use: Choose a platform that matches your technical skills and workflow.
  • Language Support: Ensure the platform supports the languages you need for your creative videos project.
  • Specific Features: Consider features like voice cloning, audio editing tools, voice assistants and integrations with other platforms.
  • Customer Support: Look for a platform with responsive and helpful customer support.
  • Free Trial: Use free trials to test different platforms before committing to a paid plan.
  • Community and Resources: Check if the platform has an active community forum or helpful resources like tutorials and documentation.
  • Updates and Improvements: Choose a platform actively being developed and improved with new features and voices for audio projects.
  • Ethical Considerations: Be aware of the moral implications of using AI voices and choose a platform that aligns with your values.
  • Security and Privacy: Ensure the platform has strong security measures to protect your data and privacy.

Final Verdict

So, which wins out on top? It’s a close call, but Descript got the crown for its versatility and powerful features. 

Descript’s Overdub feature is a game-changer for voice cloning and text-to-speech.

Its Studio Sound tool can make your audio sound unforgettable with just a few clicks.

However, Play.ht is still a fantastic option, especially if you need a wider range of languages or prioritize ultra-realistic voices.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your needs and preferences.

We’ve given you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

We’ve tested these platforms extensively and know what we’re talking about.

Whether you’re creating podcasts, videos, or any other type of content, you can trust our recommendation!

More of Play ht

Here’s a brief comparison of Play ht against its alternatives, highlighting standout features:

  • Play HT vs Murf: Play HT focuses on affordability and quality, unlike Murf AI’s diverse, natural voices with strong customization for professional voiceovers.
  • Play HT vs Speechify: Play HT offers versatile voice cloning capabilities, differentiating from Speechify’s excellence in accessibility and speed reading with natural voices.
  • Play HT vs Lovo AI: Play HT focuses on lifelike and accurate voices, contrasting with Lovo AI’s emotionally expressive AI voices and extensive multilingual support.
  • Play HT vs Descript: Play HT emphasizes text-to-speech, a different approach than Descript, which uniquely edits audio/video through text and offers Overdub voice cloning.
  • Play HT vs ElevenLabs: Play HT balances quality and cost, setting it apart from ElevenLabs, which generates highly natural AI voices with advanced cloning and emotional range.
  • Play HT vs Listnr: Play HT focuses on versatile and low-latency text-to-speech, while Listnr offers podcast hosting and AI voice cloning alongside natural voiceovers.
  • Play HT vs Podcastle: Play HT’s general text-to-speech applications are a different niche compared to Podcastle, which provides AI-powered podcast recording and editing tools.
  • Play HT vs Dupdub: Play HT focuses on voice generation, a broader offering than Dupdub, which specializes in expressive talking avatars with strong multilingual features.
  • Play HT vs WellSaid Labs: Play HT offers accessible high-quality voices, contrasting with WellSaid Labs, which delivers consistently professional-grade AI voices with detailed customization.
  • Play HT vs Revoicer: Play HT offers user-friendly voice generation, going beyond Revoicer’s advanced AI voice cloning and customization with SSML control.
  • Play HT vs ReadSpeaker: Play HT offers versatile voice options, while ReadSpeaker focuses on enterprise-level accessibility with natural text-to-speech across many languages.
  • Play HT vs NaturalReader: Play HT emphasizes lifelike voice quality, distinguishing it from NaturalReader, which supports more languages and offers OCR functionality.
  • Play HT vs Altered: Play HT focuses on natural voice generation, a unique feature set compared to Altered, which offers innovative AI voice cloning and real-time voice changing.
  • Play HT vs Speechelo: Play HT’s general high-quality text-to-speech is unlike Speechelo, which focuses on natural-sounding AI voices with punctuation awareness for marketing.
  • Play HT vs TTSOpenAI: Play HT balances quality and affordability, differing from TTSOpenAI, which achieves high human-like voice clarity with customizable pronunciation.
  • Play HT vs Hume: Play HT is for text-to-speech conversion, a distinct capability from Hume AI, which specializes in analyzing emotion in voice, video, and text.

More of Descript

Here’s a brief comparison of Descript against the alternatives, highlighting standout features:

  • Descript vs Speechify: It focuses on accessible, natural-sounding text-to-speech for consumption, unlike Descript’s text-based audio/video editing.
  • Descript vs Murf: It excels in diverse, natural voices for professional voiceovers, while Descript uniquely edits audio/video via text.
  • Descript vs Play ht: It offers affordable, high-quality AI voice generation with cloning, contrasting with Descript’s integrated editing workflow.
  • Descript vs Lovo ai: It provides emotionally expressive AI voices with multilingual support, while Descript centers on text-based media editing.
  • Descript vs ElevenLabs: It generates highly natural AI voices with advanced cloning, a different core function than Descript’s editing capabilities.
  • Descript vs Listnr: It specializes in AI voiceovers and podcast hosting, unlike Descript’s comprehensive audio/video editing through text.
  • Descript vs Podcastle: It provides AI-powered podcast recording and editing, a more specific focus than Descript’s broader media editing.
  • Descript vs Dupdub: It features AI avatars and video creation tools, a distinct offering from Descript’s text-based editing approach.
  • Descript vs WellSaid Labs: It delivers consistently professional AI voices, while Descript integrates voice generation into its editing platform.
  • Descript vs Revoicer: It offers realistic AI voices with emotion and speed control, a different emphasis than Descript’s text-centric editing.
  • Descript vs ReadSpeaker: It focuses on website text-to-speech for accessibility, unlike Descript’s comprehensive audio and video editing.
  • Descript vs NaturalReader: It provides versatile text-to-speech with OCR, while Descript integrates voice features within its editing workflow.
  • Descript vs Notevibes: It offers AI voice agents for customer service, a specific application different from Descript’s media editing.
  • Descript vs Altered: It provides real-time voice changing and cloning, a unique feature set compared to Descript’s text-based editing.
  • Descript vs Speechelo: It generates natural AI voices for marketing, while Descript integrates voice generation into its audio/video editing.
  • Descript vs TTSOpenAI: It offers high-quality text-to-speech with customizable pronunciation, unlike Descript’s focus on editing via transcription.
  • Descript vs Hume: It analyzes emotion in voice, video, and text, a distinct capability from Descript’s text-based media editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best AI voice cloning tools available?

The top 3 AI voice cloning tools are Play.ht, Descript, and ElevenLabs. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.

How do these tools work?

AI voice cloning tools use advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze a small sample of your voice and then generate new audio that sounds like you. This allows you to create realistic voiceovers, podcasts, and other audio content.

What are the benefits of using AI voice cloning?

AI voice cloning can save you time and money by eliminating the need to hire a professional voice actor. It can also help you create more consistent and personalized audio content.

Are there any limitations to AI voice cloning?

AI voice cloning can be challenging if you have a unique or expressive voice. Additionally, the quality of the cloned voice may not be as high as a human voice.

How much do AI voice cloning tools cost?

AI voice cloning tools typically offer a variety of pricing plans based on the number of words or hours of audio you need. Some tools also offer free trials.

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