AI podcast generators compared
AI can turn a PDF, an article or a whole book into a podcast in minutes. Here's how the main tools compare, and the step most people forget: where the finished show lives.
This guide is made by Hiro, and Hiro is one of the platforms in it. Prices were checked in November 2026 on each company's own site. Prices change, so check before you buy.
Quick answer: For free and fast, use NotebookLM. For the most realistic voices and your own cloned voice, use ElevenLabs. For polished episodes with music, use Wondercraft. For a regular AI show, try Jellypod. To turn your book or course into a show you can sell, use Hiro.
Side-by-side comparison
| Tool | From | Free plan | PDF or document to podcast | Your own cloned voice | Commercial use on cheapest paid plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NotebookLM | Free to start | Yes | Yes | No | Not stated |
| ElevenLabs | $6/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wondercraft | $25/mo ($21 billed yearly) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Jellypod | $29/mo | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Yes |
| Hiro | $57/mo ($67 lifetime offer), AI on credits | No | Yes | Yes, through your ElevenLabs account | Your content. AI voice follows your ElevenLabs plan |
"Not stated" means the company's pricing page didn't say, so check with them.
The tools, one by one
NotebookLM: best free option
Google NotebookLM turns your sources, including PDFs, into an "Audio Overview": two AI hosts chatting about your material. It's free to start, with higher limits on Google's paid AI plans. You can't use your own voice.
- Studying and summaries
- Trying AI audio for free
- No cloned voice
- Commercial terms not stated on the plans page
ElevenLabs: best voices and voice cloning
ElevenLabs is known for realistic voices. Its GenFM feature turns a PDF, EPUB, DOCX, TXT file or a web link into a podcast. Instant voice cloning and a commercial license start on the $6 Starter plan.
- Natural-sounding voices
- Reading in your own cloned voice
- Long content uses up credits fast on small plans
Wondercraft: best for polished episodes
Wondercraft builds full episodes with voices and music, from $25 a month ($21 billed yearly). It has a PDF-to-podcast tool, voice cloning, and full commercial rights on the Creator plan. The free plan gives 150 credits.
Jellypod: best for a regular AI show
Jellypod is built for making an ongoing AI podcast from your sources. Plans start at $29 a month, with 2 voice clones on Starter and commercial use on every plan.
Hiro: best for turning your book or course into a show you can sell
The tools above make an audio file. Then you still need somewhere to put it, and a way to get paid. Hiro does all of it: Hiro turns a book, PDF or document into a full show of episodes, an AI voice reads them through your own ElevenLabs account (or you record them yourself), and Hiro hosts and sells the show.
- A book, PDF or document becomes a show, chapter by chapter
- Sell it with a sales page and checkout. Hiro takes no cut of your sales
- Each buyer gets a private feed in the Hiro app or their podcast app
- Or give it away free to grow your email list
- Authors, coaches and course creators
- Selling your content as audio
- AI voice needs your own ElevenLabs account
- Not a "two hosts chatting" tool
What to do once your AI podcast is made
- Decide public or private. A public show goes on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to reach new people. A private show is for buyers, clients or your email list.
- Put it on a podcast host. The host stores the episodes and creates the feed that podcast apps read.
- Choose how it earns. Sell access, use it as a free lead magnet, or add it to a course you already sell.
Using AI podcasts the right way
- Only turn content into audio if you own it or have the rights
- Check the facts. AI can misread or invent details
- Tell listeners when a voice is AI
- Check each tool's plan allows commercial use before you sell
Questions people ask
What is the best AI podcast generator?
It depends on what you need. NotebookLM is free and quick, ElevenLabs has the most realistic voices and voice cloning, Wondercraft makes polished episodes, and Hiro turns a book or course into a show you can host and sell.
Is there a free AI podcast generator?
Yes. NotebookLM is free to start, and ElevenLabs and Wondercraft have free plans with limited credits.
Can I turn a PDF into a podcast?
Yes. NotebookLM, ElevenLabs (GenFM) and Wondercraft all accept PDFs. Hiro turns a book, PDF or document into a full show of episodes.
Can I use my own voice?
Yes. ElevenLabs, Wondercraft and Jellypod offer voice cloning on paid plans. Hiro reads episodes in any voice in your ElevenLabs account, including your clone, or you can record yourself.
Can I sell an AI-generated podcast?
Yes, if you own the content and your voice tool's plan allows commercial use. Hiro gives you a sales page, checkout and a private feed for every buyer.