Best voice providers for AI agents in 2026
Updated November 4, 2026.
Typing isn't always the fastest way to work with an AI agent. Sometimes you want to say what you need on the way out the door, hear the answer while you cook, or have the agent call you when something can't wait. That takes two things: a voice that sounds right, and transcription that hears you correctly.
SFCrew is an open source app for AI teammates that do real work. You talk to each bot in chat, and you can also hold the mic to speak, have replies read aloud, or call a bot. A bot can call you too. The voice provider you connect does the speaking and, for most providers, the listening. This page compares every option SFCrew supports, from hosted voices to a server you run yourself.
Compared
| Option | Does | Runs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ElevenLabs | Speaks and transcribes | Hosted | The most natural voices, including ones you clone |
| OpenAI | Speaks and transcribes | Hosted | Reusing an OpenAI key you already have |
| Cartesia | Speaks only | Hosted | Fast, natural voices on calls |
| Fish Audio | Speaks and transcribes | Hosted | Expressive voices and your own cloned voice |
| Self-hosted voice | Speaks and transcribes, if your server does | Your server | Private, offline voice with no vendor account |
| macOS voices | Speaks only | Your Mac | Running SFCrew on a Mac with no voice key |
Every option
How to choose
You want the most natural voices
ElevenLabs speaks and transcribes with one key, and any voice you clone in ElevenLabs shows up in SFCrew's voice picker. Fish Audio is the other pick when the voice itself matters, with expressive speech, your own cloned voice and a large public library.
You already have an OpenAI key
OpenAI is quick to set up, with built-in voices and solid transcription. OpenAI is shutting down the speech model SFCrew uses on January 6, 2027, so treat it as a convenient start.
You mostly call your bots
Cartesia voices start fast and sound natural on calls. It only speaks, so your browser, the desktop app or your phone does the listening.
You want audio to stay on your own hardware
Self-hosted voice works with any OpenAI-compatible speech server, such as Kokoro for speech and a Whisper server for transcription. If you run SFCrew directly on a Mac, macOS voices speak with no key at all.
FAQ
Can I talk to my AI agent by voice?
Yes. Connect a provider in Settings → Voice, then hold the mic to speak, have replies read aloud, or call a bot. On a self-hosted SFCrew, the admin turns on calls and hold-to-talk with PHONE_CALLS_ENABLED=true.
Which voice providers can transcribe?
ElevenLabs, OpenAI, Fish Audio, and self-hosted servers that support transcription. Cartesia and macOS voices only speak, so your browser, the desktop app or your phone listens instead.
Can AI agents use voice without a hosted vendor?
Yes. Point SFCrew at a self-hosted speech server, or use the built-in macOS voices when the server runs on a Mac.
Can each bot have its own voice?
Yes. In a bot's settings, turn on Read replies aloud and pick a Voice next to it to override your default for that bot.
Can my bot call me?
Yes, in a one-to-one chat once you've connected a voice provider and calls are on. Ask "call me at 5 to go over the day", or a bot may call when you've missed the same reminder several times.