Smaller voiceover platforms are worth considering if you want a shorter talent roster and an easier site to use. Voices.com is still the better fit when you need an unusual language or AI voice services.
Voices.com is the biggest name in the category, and it earned that spot. It is also a lot of site for someone who needs one voice for one project.
What Voices.com Does Well
Voices.com says it has more than 4 million voice actors across 160 countries, covering over 100 languages and accents. If you need a voice in an unusual language or a specific regional accent, that pool is hard to beat.
The company has also expanded well past standard voiceover. It offers licensing for AI voices cloned from real, consenting actors, along with custom voice data sets for training AI models. If you want a custom AI voice for your brand, Voices.com can build it and handle the licensing agreement.
It also has a free basic plan that lets you post a job and hire talent.
Why a Big Platform Can Feel Like Too Much
When I worked in production, I went online looking for a voiceover and found voices.com. It was overwhelming. There were so many voices and so many options that I could not tell where to start. I ended up choosing a smaller platform with a shorter list of talent because it was easier to use.
A huge roster sounds like an advantage until you are deep into demos with no decision in sight. If you only buy voiceover now and then, a handful of good options gets you to a decision faster than four million.
What a Smaller Platform Offers
I built Voice Dragons from my own experience with smaller platforms. Some of the larger sites felt cold to me. If you had a question or a problem, you never dealt with anyone on the leadership team. I wanted a smaller roster and a real community, with direct contact for anyone who has a question or needs help.
A Roster That Is Handpicked
Every voice on Voice Dragons is handpicked. I turn away about 30 percent of the people who apply. Talent are vetted for uniqueness, intonation, production quality and post-production. They are based in the US and Canada, and the platform is human-only. We removed AI voice entirely.
Some buyers assume the talent on a smaller platform is not as good. With a vetted roster, that assumption is wrong.
An Interface That Is Easy to Use
You filter by gender, age, style and vocal attributes, then move through demos with your down arrow key. Each job has built-in messaging, and you get an email when talent writes to you or delivers your files. Most jobs come back within 24 hours, and many are done the same day. One revision is included.
If you want to direct the session live, that is available on request for a small additional fee, on Zoom or Source Connect.
When Voices.com Is the Better Choice
Go with Voices.com if you need lots of language options. Go there too if your project involves AI voice as well as human talent. Voice Dragons is human-only, so a custom AI voice or an AI data set is not something I can offer.
Give the Talent a Good Brief on Any Platform
If you do not normally buy voiceover, this is the most important tip I can give you.
Make sure the script is tight before you send it. Add notes on how you want it read, and give the talent a detailed explanation of exactly what you are looking for. Describe it with emotion. Tell the talent how the listener should feel, and leave out how it should sound. A voice actor can do a lot with "warm and reassuring." "Slow and low" gives them less to work with.
For more on this, see how to direct voice talent effectively and how to give feedback to a voice actor.
Which Platform Fits Your Project
Choose Voices.com for unusual languages, a huge selection or AI voice services. Choose a smaller platform like Voice Dragons if you want a short, vetted roster and an extremely easy interface.
For a wider look at the field, read which voiceover companies are best for hiring professional talent and the best websites to hire voice actors online. If you want to try Voice Dragons, you can open a free account and browse the roster.
Key Takeaways
- Smaller voiceover platforms suit buyers who want a short talent roster and an easy site.
- Voices.com says it has more than 4 million voice actors, which makes it strong for unusual languages and wide selection.
- Voices.com also offers AI voice licensing and custom voice data sets. Voice Dragons is human-only.
- Voice Dragons handpicks its talent and turns away about 30 percent of applicants.
- Smaller platforms can offer direct contact with the people running the site.
- On any platform, give the talent a tight script and describe the feeling you want, not the sound.
