Async (formerly Podcastle) vs ElevenLabs (2026): Which AI Tool Is Better?

Both are popular podcast & audio tools. Here is how Async (formerly Podcastle) and ElevenLabs stack up on price, strengths and weaknesses, and which one we would pick.

Async (formerly Podcastle)

Podcastle rebranded as Async: recording, editing, AI voices and generation in one studio

7.2 /10

Pricing: Free plan, paid from $19.99/mo

Pros

Recording, editing and AI voices in one browser app
Voice API from the same company
40% saving on yearly plans
Existing Podcastle accounts carried over

Cons

Free plan is a lifetime trial (1 hour, 10 credits)
Generation models aren't named publicly
Credits don't roll over
Product still changing after the rebrand

Visit Async (formerly Podcastle) ↗

ElevenLabs

Text to speech, voice cloning, dubbing, sound effects and licensed music in one studio

9.0 /10

Pricing: Free plan, paid from $6/mo

Pros

Very natural, expressive speech (Eleven v3) in 70+ languages
Commercial licence from the $6 Starter plan
Voice, dubbing, SFX and music under one credit balance
Strong API, SDKs and official MCP server
Consent checks on voice cloning (voice captcha for Professional clones)

Cons

Credits are shared across features and burn fast on long audio or music
Free plan is personal use only
Music can't be used in film, TV or studio games without an Enterprise licence
Professional cloning limited to your own voice

Visit ElevenLabs ↗

Async (formerly Podcastle) vs ElevenLabs at a glance

	Async (formerly Podcastle)	ElevenLabs
Editor score	7.2 / 10	9.0 / 10
Pricing model	Freemium	Freemium
Starting price	$19.99/mo	$6/mo
Reader upvotes	0	0
Best for	podcast-editor, ai-voice, recording	text-to-speech, voice-cloning, dubbing
Model choice	No	Yes
Commercial use	No	Yes
No watermark (free)	No	No
API	Yes	Yes
Official MCP server	No	Yes
MCP client	No	No
Agent Skills	No	No
Brand kit	No	No
Teams	Yes	Yes
Content Credentials	No	No
Mobile app	No	No
20+ languages	No	Yes
Makes	Podcasts, Voiceovers & narration, YouTube & long video, Short-form video	Voiceovers & narration, Audiobooks, Dubbing & translation, Music & songs
AI models inside	0	6

Our pick

ElevenLabs edges it with a score of 9.0 versus 7.2. ElevenLabs is the better fit if you value: very natural, expressive speech (eleven v3) in 70+ languages, commercial licence from the $6 starter plan. Choose Async (formerly Podcastle) instead if you need: recording, editing and ai voices in one browser app, voice api from the same company.