CartesiaGoogleAudio matchupSpeech output
Sonic 3.6vs.Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS
Which model is better?
Sonic 3.6 and Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS each lead in different tests.
Pick Sonic 3.6 for
Pick Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS for
Shared tests
Independent evaluators and leaderboards only, the newest shared snapshot per evaluator. With 95 % ranges a lead counts when they do not overlap; for hit rates, when it holds in a 95 % test. Without any uncertainty figure at most “slightly ahead”.
VoiceArena
Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS aheadGemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS is clearly ahead in 2 of 4 subtests, Sonic 3.6 in 1. 1 is level.
VoiceArena TTS Elo: Mexican Spanish
95 % ranges 1,065 to 1,097 and 1,115 to 1,155, as of October 28, 2026
VoiceArena TTS Elo: Brazilian Portuguese
95 % ranges 1,062 to 1,094 and 1,112 to 1,142, as of October 28, 2026
VoiceArena TTS Elo: Hindi
95 % ranges 1,081 to 1,107 and 1,050 to 1,080, as of October 28, 2026
Show all 4 subtests
| Subtest | Sonic 3.6 | Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| VoiceArena TTS Elo: Mexican Spanish | 1,081 | 1,135 | Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS ahead |
| VoiceArena TTS Elo: Brazilian Portuguese | 1,078 | 1,127 | Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS ahead |
| VoiceArena TTS Elo: Hindi | 1,094 | 1,065 | Sonic 3.6 ahead |
| VoiceArena TTS Elo: US English | 1,059 | 1,082 | level |
Source · latest October 28, 2026
Artificial Analysis
Sonic 3.6 aheadSonic 3.6 is clearly ahead in 2 of 2 subtests, Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS in none.
Artificial Analysis Controlled Voice Arena Elo
95 % ranges 1,135 to 1,159 and 1,040 to 1,064, as of November 3, 2026
Artificial Analysis Provider Voice Arena preference
95 % ranges 1,280 to 1,306 and 1,241 to 1,267, as of November 3, 2026
Source · latest November 3, 2026
All data side by side
Prices are verbatim from the provider, because audio models bill per minute, character or token.
| Sonic 3.6 | Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS | |
|---|---|---|
| Task | Speech output | Speech output |
| Developer | Cartesia | |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Released | n/a | September 22, 2026 |
| Weights | proprietary | n/a |
| Runs locally | no | no |
| Price | n/a | $0.50 per 1M text tokens through December 31, 2026, then $1 per 1M text tokens from January 1, 2027 |
| Popularity (out of 100) | 39 | 0 |