eSpeak vs TGSpeechBox
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
eSpeak
This open-source text-to-speech synthesizer supports over 100 languages and accents. It provides a compatibility layer for Apple VoiceOver users, enabling speech output for various applications.
- Supports over 100 languages and accents
- Open-source software
- Compact design
- Compatibility layer for Apple VoiceOver
- Based on eSpeak engine
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The eSpeak NG is a compact open source software text-to-speech synthesizer. It supports more than 100 languages and accents. It is based on the eSpeak engine created by Jonathan Duddington. This app adds a compatibility layer between eSpeak NG library and Apple VoiceOver.
TGSpeechBox
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TGSpeechBox is a high-quality speech synthesizer that works as a system voice with VoiceOver and as a standalone text-to-speech app. Features: • 26 languages with natural-sounding speech • Full VoiceOver integration — use as your primary system voice • 7 voice presets plus YAML-defined voice profiles • Deep engine tuning: pitch mode, voice tone, formant sharpness, inflection, tremor, breathiness, and more • Phoneme editor: fine-tune individual speech sounds with live preview • Pronunciation dictionary: add custom word pronunciations with IPA override support • Stress, compound, and character dictionaries for advanced control • Export and share your customizations • Adjustable sample rate (11025–44100 Hz) • Rate override and rate boost for VoiceOver • Language lock: keep your preferred language regardless of system setting • Runs entirely on-device — no internet required, no data leaves your phone TGSpeechBox uses a Klatt-style formant synthesis engine with eSpeak-ng for phoneme generation. It is open source under the MIT license. Built by a blind developer, designed for accessibility from day one.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: TGSpeechBox at weekly against eSpeak's every 10 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
eSpeak ships an update every 10 months, TGSpeechBox weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | eSpeak | TGSpeechBox |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (21 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 21 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 33 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yury Popov | Tamas Geczy |
In-app purchases
eSpeak
No in-app purchases
TGSpeechBox
No in-app purchases








