Voice AI Architecture Guide: When to Choose End-to-End (Speech-to-Speech)

Use Cases Favoring Simplicity

Rapid prototyping:

• Get voice AI working quickly
• Less integration complexity
• Fewer provider relationships to manage

Consumer applications:

• Simple conversational interfaces
• Cost less important than simplicity
• Limited customization needs

Tightly integrated experiences:

• Preserve audio nuance (emotion, tone)
• Reduce latency through single model
• Accept limited provider choice

Constraints Limiting Modularity

Small team:

• Lack expertise managing three providers
• Prefer vendor-managed solution
• Accept trade-offs for simplicity

Standardized use case:

• Generic conversation patterns
• No special provider requirements
• Bundled pricing acceptable

Future latency requirements:

• Need sub-300ms latency eventually
• Bet on speech-to-speech improving
• Accept current limitations for future gains