ings
When you make videos, changes to the script often mean changes to the voiceover.
A sentence runs too long, so you cut a few words. The delivery sounds flat, so you generate another take. Sometimes you only change the opening, but you still need to export a new audio file. With online voiceover tools, those revisions can eat into your allowance. That may not matter for an occasional video, but if you publish regularly, a subscription becomes another recurring expense.
YoVoice lets you do that work on your own computer.
It is a free, open-source audio application that supports text-to-speech, voice cloning, and music generation. Once you have installed the software and downloaded a model, you can generate voiceovers locally without paying cloud API fees per character or per generation. Project overview
You do not need to start by typing commands into a terminal, either. YoVoice offers desktop installers for people who are not programmers.
To get started, download a voice model in Settings, create a project, enter your script, choose a voice, and click Generate. Listen to the result, make adjustments, and generate another take if needed. The application keeps different versions for comparison and lets you trim the audio.
A “model” is the software component that turns your text into speech. Different models handle different tasks, so you only need to download one that suits your needs.
For a straightforward video narration, you could start with Kokoro, which comes with preset voices. It is relatively lightweight and does not require a reference recording, but it cannot clone your voice. Model guide
To generate speech in a voice resembling your own, you need a model that supports voice cloning.
These models require a reference recording, and some also need a transcript of what was said. The recording should be clear, with little background noise and only one speaker. The model uses characteristics of that voice to read your new script.
For example, suppose you have already recorded the narration for a tutorial and later add two sentences. You could try generating those extra lines, then bring them into your video editor to see how well they fit.
A similar voice does not guarantee a seamless match, though. Pace, emotion, and pauses may differ, so you still need to listen carefully. The project documentation also notes that some models can change voices, repeat words, or drag out speech when handling longer text. Short passages are a more manageable place to start. Model usage and limitations
YoVoice also supports designing a voice from a written description. With a compatible model, you could request “a warm voice with a steady pace, suitable for storytelling.” The available controls and the results depend on the model.
The cost of local generation mostly falls on your computer.
An online service uses the provider’s hardware; local generation uses yours. Your computer’s performance affects how long you wait, and the models take up storage space. Basic narration and full-song generation have very different hardware requirements.
The project recommends a CPU and at least 4 GB of RAM for lightweight narration. For larger voice-cloning models, it suggests a graphics card with 4–6 GB of VRAM, or an Apple Silicon Mac with at least 8 GB of memory. Music generation calls for more powerful hardware. These are selection guidelines, not speed guarantees for every machine. Hardware requirements
After installing it, try a few sentences first. Check the pronunciation and see how long generation takes before committing to a longer script.
The officially listed desktop versions support Windows 10/11 on x64 computers and Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 14 or later—that is, Macs with Apple’s M-series chips. Windows users with NVIDIA graphics cards can follow the official instructions to choose an installer with the appropriate acceleration components. Installation guide
Installing the application is only the first step; you also need to download a model. Once the required files are in place, local speech generation can work offline.
That is useful if you do not want to upload unpublished scripts or reference recordings. However, YoVoice also lets you connect external AI services to help write lyrics and arrange scores. If you enable those services, the relevant requests go to the provider you choose. Not every possible use of the application is entirely offline. AI service documentation
Beyond voiceovers, YoVoice can generate songs from lyrics and a style description. You could enter your lyrics, ask for an upbeat folk sound with acoustic guitar, and generate a version to listen to. This requires more capable hardware. If narration is your main goal, you can leave the music model uninstalled for now.
There is another detail worth checking: free software does not mean every supported model is free to use commercially. The documentation explicitly restricts some models to non-commercial use. Before delivering paid client work, check the license of the model you plan to use. Model licensing
If you already make voiceovers regularly and pay for a monthly allowance, YoVoice is worth trying. Use a script from your actual work, check pronunciation, delivery, and generation time, and then decide whether it can handle your routine tasks.
You do not have to explore voice cloning, song generation, or every advanced setting at once. Getting a short script read well, exporting it, and adding it to a video is enough to put its most straightforward feature to use.
Project: YoVoice on GitHub
Download: Official releases
This article is based on the project’s public documentation. The software has not been independently tested for this article.