# ElevenLabs Speech Engine

> Your runtime, their STT/TTS. Cloud + key. Not LiveKit OSS

**Subcategory:** ElevenLabs  
**License:** MIT  
**Source:** https://github.com/elevenlabs/skills/blob/main/speech-engine/SKILL.md

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## When it is useful

Real-time voice on a custom agent runtime via ElevenLabs Speech Engine (WebSocket, WebRTC, conversation tokens). They handle mic/STT/turn-taking/TTS; your server owns agent logic. Needs API key. Not LiveKit Agents OSS. Not the TTS-only skill.

## The Catch

Your runtime, their STT/TTS. Cloud + API key, not LiveKit OSS. Free has no commercial license. Distinct from elevenlabs-text-to-speech.