kitio.aiAmazon Polly vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Amazon Polly starts at See pricing page and Google Cloud Speech-to-Text starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Google's speech recognition API with Chirp models in 100+ languages
FreemiumAt a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Neural and generative voices
- SSML support
- Custom lexicons
- Speech marks
- Long-form voices
- Chirp speech models
- Streaming recognition
- Speaker diarization
- Model adaptation
- 100+ languages
| Feature | Amazon Polly | Google Cloud Speech-to-Text |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | AWS text-to-speech service for apps, IVR and content at scale | Google's speech recognition API with Chirp models in 100+ languages |
| Category | Audio & voice | Audio & voice |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | See pricing page | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Amazon Web Services | |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Amazon Polly starts at See pricing page and Google Cloud Speech-to-Text starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Free tier
Free
- Millions of free characters per month
- For new AWS accounts
Standard voices
$4 / 1M characters
- Pay-as-you-go
Neural voices
$16 / 1M characters
- More natural speech
Generative voices
$30 / 1M characters
- Most humanlike voices
Long-form voices
$100 / 1M characters
- For long-form content
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Amazon Polly
- Reliable at very high volume
- Fits existing AWS setups
- Low price for standard voices
- Less expressive than newer startups
- Requires an AWS account and setup
Google Cloud Speech-to-Text
- Huge language coverage
- Strong Chirp accuracy
- Monthly free tier
- Complex pricing and versions
- Requires a Google Cloud project
Which one should you choose?
Choose Amazon Polly if you want:
- Reliable at very high volume
- Fits existing AWS setups
- Low price for standard voices
Watch out: less expressive than newer startups.
Choose Google Cloud Speech-to-Text if you want:
- Huge language coverage
- Strong Chirp accuracy
- Monthly free tier
Watch out: complex pricing and versions.
Amazon Polly vs Google Cloud Speech-to-Text FAQ
What is the difference between Amazon Polly and Google Cloud Speech-to-Text?
Amazon Polly: AWS text-to-speech service for apps, IVR and content at scale. Google Cloud Speech-to-Text: Google's speech recognition API with Chirp models in 100+ languages. Both are audio & voice tools.
Is Amazon Polly or Google Cloud Speech-to-Text cheaper?
Amazon Polly starts at See pricing page and Google Cloud Speech-to-Text starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Amazon Polly and Google Cloud Speech-to-Text have free plans?
Amazon Polly: Yes. Google Cloud Speech-to-Text: Yes.
Who makes Amazon Polly?
Amazon Polly is made by Amazon Web Services, based in United States.
Who makes Google Cloud Speech-to-Text?
Google Cloud Speech-to-Text is made by Google, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Amazon Polly or Google Cloud Speech-to-Text?
Choose Amazon Polly if you value reliable at very high volume and fits existing aws setups. Choose Google Cloud Speech-to-Text if you value huge language coverage and strong chirp accuracy.