Text-to-speech · Head to head
ElevenLabs vs Cartesia: which is better?
Short answer
They cost the same in the first year ($60). Pick ElevenLabs for realistic AI voices and voice cloning; pick Cartesia for low-latency voice AI for developers.
| Fact | ElevenLabs | Cartesia | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Realistic AI voices and voice cloning | Low-latency voice AI for developers | — |
| Free plan | Yes, 10,000 credits per month | Yes, 20K credits per month | Tie |
| Entry plan | Starter: $5 / mo | Pro: $5 / mo | Tie |
| Mid plan | Creator: $18.33 / mo | Startup: $49 / mo | ElevenLabs |
| Top plan | Business: $825 / mo | Scale: $299 / mo | Cartesia |
| 1st year | $60 | $60 | Tie |
| Platforms | Web, API, iOS, Android | API, Web | ElevenLabs |
Edge = the better published number or limit; we do not test the tools hands-on.
Which is cheaper, ElevenLabs or Cartesia?
They cost the same in the first year ($60).
| 1st year | ElevenLabs | Cartesia |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $60 | $60 |
| Mid | $219.96 | $588 |
| Top | $9,900 | $3,588 |
Which has the better free plan, ElevenLabs or Cartesia?
Neither stands out: ElevenLabs: Yes, 10,000 credits per month; Cartesia: Yes, 20K credits per month.
Should you pick ElevenLabs or Cartesia?
Pick ElevenLabs if
- you want realistic AI voices and voice cloning
- the free plan is enough (10,000 credits per month)
Pick Cartesia if
- you want low-latency voice AI for developers
- the free plan is enough (20K credits per month)
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| ElevenLabs pricing | elevenlabs.io/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Cartesia pricing | cartesia.ai/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare