If you want free/ultracheap, the Google Cloud TTS is good enough for simple use cases. You get enough free minutes that it may end up being free (I think I've paid a cent so far).
Some of their voices sound very artificial, some very real. I've been slowly making a list of the good ones.
I use it to convert long articles into audio, and have a script to add it to my podcast feed to listen to while driving:
I'd have to analyze my usage. For me, having used it for over a year cost me a penny. If I can ensure my total cost is less than $1/month, I'll consider it if the quality is really good. The Google one is "good enough", but not great.
One other feature I'd really like: Having the AI figure out who is saying what and use different voices (e.g. one voice for overall narrator, and separate voices for each person who is quoted in the article).
Not sure if any of the solutions out there do that automatically without my guidance.
(Still probably wouldn't pay more than $2/mo for it - I just don't use it often enough to justify paying much).
I do it only for long articles. Not interested in converting fiction into audio books unless the quality rivals that of real storytellers.
And, you know, this is not a service I'd provide others. Just for my own use running from my PC. Audible won't know or care, just as no one cares if you borrow a book from the library and photocopy it for your own use.
Some of their voices sound very artificial, some very real. I've been slowly making a list of the good ones.
I use it to convert long articles into audio, and have a script to add it to my podcast feed to listen to while driving:
https://blog.nawaz.org/posts/2024/Apr/reading-articles-via-p...