Comparison

eSpeak vs TGSpeechBox

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Supports over 100 languages and accents
  • Open-source software
  • Compact design
  • Compatibility layer for Apple VoiceOver
  • Based on eSpeak engine
Read full description

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.

About

TGSpeechBox

Features
Read full description

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

eSpeak2 screens
TGSpeechBox2 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

eSpeak ships an update every 10 months, TGSpeechBox weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
eSpeak versus TGSpeechBox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametereSpeakTGSpeechBox
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (21 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings21 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYury PopovTamas Geczy

In-app purchases

None

eSpeak

No in-app purchases

None

TGSpeechBox

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is eSpeak free?
eSpeak is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TGSpeechBox free?
TGSpeechBox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do eSpeak or TGSpeechBox have ads?
Neither eSpeak nor TGSpeechBox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, eSpeak or TGSpeechBox?
eSpeak ships an update every 10 months, and TGSpeechBox weekly. Most recently, eSpeak was updated on September 16, 2026 and TGSpeechBox on September 13, 2026.

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