Model comparison
Compare Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS and Eleven v3 Conversational using the same provider-sourced voice & realtime rubric. No mystery score and no invented benchmark ranking.
Quick take
Google's lower-cost speech-generation model for read-aloud features and high-volume audio in 101 languages.
Put delivery instructions in speech_metadata, not the spoken script. Voice replication requires the speaker's consent; regional restrictions apply. Generated audio carries SynthID watermarking.
ElevenLabs' expressive realtime text-to-speech model for natural dialogue, emotional delivery, audio tags, and more than 70 languages.
It is not a complete speech-to-speech agent by itself. End-to-end latency also includes transcription, LLM response time, transport, and playback.
Compare the published facts
Values use each provider's own published units and limits. A blank means the provider did not publish a directly comparable value in the sources reviewed.
| Voice & realtime | Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS | Eleven v3 Conversational |
|---|---|---|
| Price basisToken-, character-, or minute-based price for the listed access route. | $0.50 text input · $6 audio output / 1M tokens | $0.05 / 1K characters |
| Interaction modeSpeech-to-speech, audio-to-audio, or streamed text-to-speech behavior. | Text-to-speech with two-speaker dialogue | Realtime text-to-speech / text-to-dialogue |
| Published latencyProvider-published measurement with its stated exclusions; not a Cody test. | Not published | ~280ms, excluding app/network |
| LanguagesProvider-documented language coverage or a clear unpublished marker. | 101 languages | 70+ languages |
| Tools & controlNative function calling, reasoning, or speech-control features. | Voice design and replication; no function calling | Audio tags; orchestration handled by your agent stack |
| Context or input limitDocumented token or character limit where it is meaningful. | 8,192 input · 16,384 output tokens | 5K-character guidance for v3 family; verify endpoint |
How to choose
Start with the job you need to complete, then validate cost, access, and policy details on your exact provider route.
Google says paid Gemini API prompts and responses are not used to improve its products. Unpaid-service content generally may be used, with different treatment for EEA, UK, and Swiss users; check the current terms for your account and region.
Provider and API links
ElevenLabs says enterprise customer data is not used for training by default. Other users can opt out of model improvement; enterprise zero-retention and regional environments are available with plan-specific limits.
Provider and API links
Frequently asked questions
Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS: Google's lower-cost speech-generation model for read-aloud features and high-volume audio in 101 languages. Eleven v3 Conversational: ElevenLabs' expressive realtime text-to-speech model for natural dialogue, emotional delivery, audio tags, and more than 70 languages.
Consider Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS when your priority is Read-aloud features. Consider Eleven v3 Conversational when your priority is Expressive support and assistant voices. Test both with your own data and provider route before committing.
No. This comparison aligns provider-published facts for the Voice & realtime category. It does not claim a universal winner or combine incompatible third-party benchmark scores.
