The VO Meter
A free rate calculator to help voice actors price their services
Overview
The VO Meter is a rate calculation tool designed to help voice actors determine fair pricing for their services across different project types. It factors in usage, market size, media type, and other variables.
Users input project details such as the type of work, distribution scope, and license duration, and the tool generates a suggested rate range. This helps voice actors quote confidently and avoid underpricing.
How It Works
The tool is particularly useful for non-union voice actors who lack the rate structure provided by SAG-AFTRA contracts. It draws on industry data to provide realistic market-rate guidance.
The VO Meter is free to use. There is no registration required and no paid version.
Who Uses It
A valuable resource for voice actors at any level who want to ensure they are quoting competitive, fair rates. Bookmark it and reference it every time you receive a project inquiry outside your usual scope.
Pricing & Plans
The VO Meter is completely free to use with no registration, subscription, or paid features. The tool operates as a web-based calculator that requires no downloads or account creation — you simply visit the site, input your project parameters, and receive a rate suggestion instantly. There are no premium tiers, upsells, or hidden monetization schemes. The tool is maintained as a community resource by voiceover industry professionals who recognize that accessible rate guidance benefits the entire industry by reducing underpricing. No personal data collection or tracking is involved in using the calculator, making it one of the most privacy-friendly tools available to voice actors. The VO Meter complements but does not replace other rate resources like the GVAA Rate Guide and the SAG-AFTRA rate schedule, which provide additional context for pricing decisions across different types of voiceover work.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The VO Meter addresses one of the most persistent challenges facing non-union voice actors — determining fair market rates for projects that do not have a standardized rate card, which encompasses the vast majority of freelance voiceover work. The tool's multi-factor approach considers usage type, market size, media channel, and license duration, producing rate suggestions that reflect the true value of the work rather than arbitrary numbers that voice actors might pull from thin air. Having a reliable rate reference eliminates the anxiety and second-guessing that many voice actors experience when quoting prices, replacing uncertainty with data-informed confidence that leads to better negotiation outcomes. The tool helps counteract the downward price pressure created by online marketplaces and inexperienced voice actors who undercharge, by establishing evidence-based benchmarks that talent can reference when justifying their rates to clients. The VO Meter is particularly valuable for voice actors transitioning from one project type to another — for example, a narrator who receives a commercial inquiry and has no frame of reference for commercial rates. Free access ensures that even the most budget-constrained beginner can quote professional rates from day one, rather than defaulting to whatever number a client suggests.
What Could Be Better
Rate calculators provide general guidance rather than definitive pricing, and actual rates can vary significantly based on factors the tool cannot account for, including your experience level, reputation, client relationship history, geographic market, and the competitive dynamics of each specific project. The suggested rates may not reflect the current reality of highly competitive online marketplaces where many voice actors work at rates below traditional industry standards, creating a disconnect between the tool's recommendations and what some clients are willing to pay. The tool can create a false sense of precision, as voiceover pricing is inherently negotiable and context-dependent, and a calculated number should be treated as a starting point for discussion rather than a fixed price. Some voice actors report that quoting rates from the VO Meter to low-budget clients immediately ends the conversation, as the suggested rates may be higher than what certain market segments are accustomed to paying. The tool does not provide guidance on how to negotiate rates, handle pushback, or evaluate whether to accept work below your target rate for strategic reasons, all of which are essential business skills that a calculator cannot replace. The rate data underlying the tool's calculations may not be updated frequently enough to reflect rapid market changes, and the methodology for determining suggested rates is not always transparent.
Our Recommendation
The VO Meter is recommended as a standard reference tool that every non-union voice actor should bookmark and consult regularly when quoting prices for new project types or unfamiliar clients. It is most valuable for voice actors who are beyond the absolute beginner stage and are actually quoting on professional work but lack confidence in their pricing, as the tool provides the evidence-based framework needed to quote with authority. Union voice actors can still benefit from the tool for non-union work or as a comparison point, though SAG-AFTRA rate schedules should take precedence for covered work. If you find that the VO Meter's suggested rates are consistently higher than what your clients will pay, the issue may be your client base and marketing rather than the tool's accuracy — the rates reflect professional market standards that quality clients are willing to meet. Combine the VO Meter with the GVAA Rate Guide and conversations with experienced voice actors to build a comprehensive understanding of pricing that accounts for the nuances that no single tool can capture.
Pro Tips
Use the VO Meter before every quote for project types outside your regular scope, as even experienced voice actors encounter unfamiliar pricing scenarios that benefit from a data-informed starting point. Quote slightly above the VO Meter's suggested rate to give yourself negotiation room, as clients often expect some flexibility and starting higher allows you to make concessions while still landing at a fair rate. When a client pushes back on your rate, reference the VO Meter and other industry rate guides as evidence that your pricing reflects market standards rather than arbitrary personal preference — this shifts the conversation from opinion to data. Track your actual booking rates alongside VO Meter suggestions over time to calibrate how the tool's recommendations compare to your real-world market, and adjust your quoting strategy based on the patterns you observe. Remember that the VO Meter calculates fair compensation for the work itself — if you find yourself consistently working below the suggested rates, it may be time to invest in marketing, demo quality, and client development strategies that attract buyers who value and pay for professional quality.