Transparent Voice Over Pricing
Simple, honest pricing with no hidden fees. Pay per word for standard projects, or per finished hour for audiobooks. Every project includes an 8% flat platform fee.
From $0.40/word
Starting rate
$75
Minimum project
8% flat
Platform fee
24-48 hrs
Typical delivery
Estimate Your Project Cost
Use the calculator below to get a ballpark estimate. Actual pricing depends on the talent you choose.
Not sure? A 30-second script is roughly 75 words. A 60-second script is about 150 words.
Estimated Cost
These are starting prices based on default talent rates. Actual cost varies by talent.
Browse Voice TalentBroadcast License Rates
Broadcast licensing is required when voice over is used in paid media. Fees are based on distribution reach and license duration.
Local
Single city or metropolitan area
Regional
Multiple cities or a state/province
National
Entire country
Global
Worldwide / international
| Duration | Local | Regional | National | Global |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | $150 | $300 | $600 | $1,200 |
| 3 Months | $300 | $600 | $1,200 | $2,400 |
| 6 Months | $500 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| 1 Year | $750 | $1,500 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
These are default minimum rates. Individual talent may set higher rates based on experience and demand.
Audiobook Narration Rates
Audiobook pricing is based on per finished hour (PFH) of recorded audio, the industry standard for long-form narration.
9,300
Words per finished hour
Industry standard
$250
Starting PFH rate
Per finished hour
8%
Platform fee
Same flat rate
Example: 50,000 Word Novel
What's Included
Free first revision
Every project includes one complimentary revision for corrections to the original script.
Professional quality guarantee
All talent is vetted for professional-grade audio and performance quality.
Secure Stripe payment
Payment is held securely and only released to talent once you approve the final delivery.
Direct talent communication
Message your voice actor directly through our built-in messaging system at every stage.
Broadcast license management
Track license durations, get expiry reminders, and renew directly through the platform.
100% human talent
Every voice on RealVOTalent is a real human. No AI-generated voices, ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does professional voice over cost?
Voice over on RealVOTalent starts at $0.40 per word with a $75 minimum project fee. The final price depends on the talent you choose, script length, and usage type. Broadcast projects include an additional license fee based on duration and geographic scope.
What is the 8% platform fee?
RealVOTalent charges a flat 8% platform fee on every project. This covers secure Stripe payment processing, talent vetting, project management tools, messaging, and customer support. There are no hidden charges or subscription fees.
How does broadcast licensing work?
Broadcast licensing is required for any voice over used in paid media like TV commercials, radio ads, or streaming ads. License fees are based on two factors: the duration of use (1 month to 1 year) and geographic scope (local, regional, national, or global). The license fee is added on top of the voice over recording fee.
What are audiobook narration rates?
Audiobook narration is priced per finished hour (PFH) of audio, starting at $250/PFH. At the industry standard of 9,300 words per finished hour, a 50,000-word novel would be approximately 5.38 finished hours. The 8% platform fee applies to audiobook projects as well.
Can I negotiate rates with talent?
Yes. Each voice actor sets their own per-word rate and minimum fee. You can request a custom quote directly through the talent profile page. Talent can adjust pricing based on project scope, volume, and ongoing relationships.
Are revisions included?
Every project includes one free revision for corrections to the original script. Additional revisions for performance direction changes or script edits may incur extra fees depending on the scope of changes. See our revision policy for full details.
Ready to find your voice?
Browse our roster of vetted, professional voice actors and get started today.