Free TTS API tier in 2026: Gemini 3.8 yes, Sume has a 1-cent floor
Google's pricing page shows a free tier for Gemini 3.8 TTS standard calls. Sume TTS has no free tier; the smallest job bills one cent.
Yes for Gemini: Google's pricing page lists a free tier for Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS on standard calls, not batch. Sume TTS has no free tier in the docs we read, and every job bills at least one cent.
What each page shows
The Gemini pricing page shows the free tier on standard only. Free tiers usually carry rate limits and data-use terms; read them before you send client scripts.
| Product | Free tier | Paid floor |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS | Yes, standard only | $0.50 text input and $9.00 audio output per 1M tokens |
| Sume TTS 1.0 | None found | 1 cent per job |
Using the free tier safely
It suits auditioning a voice and testing a prompt. For a client ad, check whether terms allow commercial use and what they say about content you send, and do not build a pipeline on a limit you did not read.
On Sume you can price a job without paying: set dry_run to see the estimate, and max_spend_usd to cap a real request (API reference).
What this does not prove
Free does not mean cheaper at scale. After the free allowance, compare real per-minute costs on your scripts, and note Gemini output prices rise on Jan 1 2027.
Sources
Related posts
More in Pricing
- Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS: a 90-second clip costs 2 cents, then 4
At Google's list rate of about $0.00225 per 10 seconds, a 90-second clip is about 2 cents until 2026-12-31 and 4 cents after. Sume's rate is in its catalog.
- Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS batch: $4.50 per 1M audio tokens vs $9.00
Batch halves Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS output to $4.50 per 1M tokens through 2026, then $9.00 in 2027. Sume TTS has one flat per-character rate.
- Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS context caching vs Sume transcripts
Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS prices cached input at $0.125 per million tokens until 2026-12-31. Sume sends the full transcript on each job. When caching matters.
- Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS: batch and flex $4.50, priority $16.20 per 1M
Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS is $9 per 1M audio tokens Standard, $4.50 batch or flex, $16.20 priority until Dec 31, then double. Cost of 1,000 minutes.
Written by Sume