TTS API comparison 2026
Gradium TTS vs SpeechifyAI Simba 3.0 Gradium vs Speechify · text-to-speech for voice agents
Gradium TTS is in the Headroom speed tier (P95 at or under 101 ms); SpeechifyAI Simba 3.0 is in the Fast enough speed tier (P95 from 138 ms to 263 ms). Below, each measure side by side with its source; a model leads on a measure only beyond the tie rule. No combined score, no overall winner.
Data read October 22, 2026 · Coval, Speko, Artificial Analysis
Side by side
| Measure | Gradium TTS | SpeechifyAI Simba 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Speed tierCoval P95, 30 days | Headroom | Fast enough |
| Median time to first audioCoval, 30-day window | 55 ms | 101 ms |
| P95 time to first audio (slow turns)Coval, 30-day window | 101 ms | 148 ms |
| Time to first audio, board chartSpeko, US East | 55 ms | — |
| Naturalness EloSpeko | 1,592 | not rated |
| Listener Elo (95% interval)Artificial Analysis | 1,176 ±13 | 1,121 ±11 |
| Numbers and dates (0 to 1)Speko | 0.27 | not rated |
| List price per 1M charactersCoval, Speko, Artificial Analysis | $35.9 to $57.8 | $6.6 to $10 |
In bold: the model ahead on that measure. “tie”: latencies within 10 ms, or Elo scores whose 95% intervals overlap.
Where Gradium TTS is ahead
- →Median time to first audio: 55 ms vs 101 ms (Coval, 30-day window)
- →P95 time to first audio (slow turns): 101 ms vs 148 ms (Coval, 30-day window)
- →Listener Elo (95% interval): 1,176 ±13 vs 1,121 ±11 (Artificial Analysis)
Where SpeechifyAI Simba 3.0 is ahead
- →List price per 1M characters: $6.6 to $10 vs $35.9 to $57.8 (Coval, Speko, Artificial Analysis)
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between Gradium TTS and SpeechifyAI Simba 3.0?
- Gradium TTS (Gradium) is in the Headroom speed tier (P95 at or under 101 ms); SpeechifyAI Simba 3.0 (Speechify) is in the Fast enough speed tier (P95 from 138 ms to 263 ms). Gradium TTS leads on median time to first audio, P95 time to first audio (slow turns) and listener Elo (95% interval); SpeechifyAI Simba 3.0 leads on list price per 1M characters. No combined score is computed.
- Which is faster for real-time voice agents, Gradium TTS or SpeechifyAI Simba 3.0?
- On Coval's 30-day window read on October 22, 2026, the median time to first audio is 55 ms for Gradium TTS and 101 ms for SpeechifyAI Simba 3.0 (Gradium TTS ahead by 47 ms); the P95, the slow turn, is 101 ms and 148 ms (Gradium TTS ahead by 47 ms). Gaps under 10 ms are ties.
- Which sounds more natural, Gradium TTS or SpeechifyAI Simba 3.0?
- Speko naturalness: 1,592 for Gradium TTS, not rated for SpeechifyAI Simba 3.0. Artificial Analysis listener Elo: 1,176 ±13 and 1,121 ±11. The two sources use different listeners and can disagree.
- How are these two text-to-speech APIs compared?
- Speed first, on Coval's median and P95 time to first audio; then voice quality (Speko, Artificial Analysis), accuracy on numbers and dates (Speko) and list price. Latencies within 10 ms and Elo scores whose intervals overlap are ties. Scores from different benchmarks are never added into one number.
- Can these numbers be checked?
- Yes. Each model page lists every measurement with its source and the date of the reading, and links to the benchmark page it comes from. The rules are on the methodology page.