What is the best alternative to Learning Ally? Discover a few of our top recommendations here.

What is the best alternative to Learning Ally?

Learning Ally has been a trusted source of assistive technology for students with dyslexia, visual impairment, and other learning disabilities. For many years, it has helped them access written materials in audio form. The beauty of this assistive technology is that it's constantly developing.

Today, Learning Ally faces stiff competition from other emerging solutions, such as Speechify, which offers the same set of features and then some.

This article breaks down Learning Ally and its alternatives in detail so you can decide which one best fits your needs.

Key features of Learning Ally

Learning Ally is a nonprofit organization that provides accessible education for people who cannot read standard print because of a visual, perceptual, or physical disability. It has been used to overcome reading deficits among students in various education programs in America since 1948.

Here are some of its most notable features:

Easy navigation

One of the most important aspects of any online learning platform is navigation. Learning Ally makes it easy for users to move quickly from page to page, chapter, or section with just a few clicks.

Human-read audiobooks

Unlike many other audiobook services that use computer-generated voices for narration, the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution uses real people with professional training in voice acting to bring stories to life. This makes it easier to stay engaged while listening and adds an extra level of realism to the experience.

Flexible playback options

Lastly, Learning Ally offers flexible playback options that give users greater freedom when listening to audiobooks. You can listen on a PC, Mac, or Chromebook. The app is also available on portable devices such as Apple iOS and Android smartphones, making it easy to take your learning anywhere.

Well-designed controls

Learning Ally provides custom controls to enhance the listening experience. You can adjust the speed of playback, toggle between different narrators, configure auto-bookmarking to resume your listening session, and even add notes to specific passages while listening.

Bookmarking and annotation

With Learning Ally's bookmarking feature, you can easily keep track of where you left off in your reading session. You can also make annotations with relevant notes or highlights to help you understand the material better or remember important points.

Speechify—An excellent alternative to Learning Ally

Speechify is a revolutionary text to speech (TTS) service that can help struggling readers boost their focus, learning skills, and comprehension. It's designed to help students learn more effectively by listening to the material as well as reading it. It has even attracted the attention of special education teachers and administrators across America.

As a smart reading app, Speechify works by converting any written content into high-quality audio, allowing you to listen to your material instead of having to read it.

Here are some of the app's most powerful features:

Automated technology

Speechify uses advanced automated technologies to deliver smooth, natural-sounding voices without pauses or robotic inflections. The platform supports multiple languages and dialects, allowing users from different countries to access its sophisticated TTS capabilities.

Personalized reading experience

Speechify offers an easy-to-use interface that allows users to control the speed and pitch of the narration for a customized listening experience. You can also highlight important sections or words as they are being read aloud. This way, the app gives you better focus on the content you need to read.

Distribution options

The Speechify app is available on iOS and Android platforms, enabling you to take your learning content wherever you go. Speechify also offers a Chrome extension to help you listen to any text online without leaving the browser.

Offline mode

The offline mode feature allows you to download stories and other audio files for access when there is no internet connection available. This is especially helpful for students who need access to information when studying outside of an online environment.

Contrast mode

Contrast mode is designed for dyslexic students and those struggling with other print disabilities. This feature changes the background of text from white to black, making it easier for people with these conditions to read.

Rich audiobook library

Speechify is not just a text to speech service—It has more than 60,000 audiobooks spanning different niches. From the latest titles to bestsellers and old classics, the playlist is versatile enough to have something that everyone can enjoy.

Whether you're looking for audiobooks appropriate for high school, middle school, or elementary school, Speechify has you covered.

Honorable mentions

While Speechify may be one of the best alternatives to Learning Ally, here are a few more honorable mentions:

Bookshare

Bookshare is an online library for people with print disabilities, including dyslexia and visual impairments. It has over 700,000 titles available, including audiobooks and magazines. Additionally, it includes features like digital text highlighting and text-to-speech capability.

Audible

Audible is a service from Amazon that offers audio versions of books, podcasts, and other audio materials. With thousands of titles to choose from, you're sure to find something that suits your needs.

VitalSource Bookshelf

VitalSource Bookshelf is one of the best platforms for digital textbooks and course materials. In addition to an extensive audiobook library, it provides students and educators with powerful tools to access, organize, and interact with content.

With features such as annotation, bookmarking, highlighting, and note-taking, you can easily navigate through subjects quickly and efficiently.

Join Speechify today

The Speechify subscription model makes it easy and affordable to get the most out of your reading experience. With Speechify, you can choose between a free version or a low-cost premium subscription plan.

The free version of Speechify allows users to access 10 standard voices and to listen at speeds up to 1x faster. With this version, you can listen anywhere—at home, school, office, or on the go.

For more advanced users looking to get the most out of their reading experience, Speechify Premium offers 30-plus high-quality natural reading voices and 20-plus languages. With Premium, you can also scan any printed text and listen up to 5x faster. The premium version even includes powerful highlighting and note-taking tools for tracking your progress.

With Speechify's easy-to-use interface and great features, there has never been a better time to try out this revolutionary reading platform. Why not give it a go today?

You can get started for free right away by signing up at Speechify's official website.

FAQ

Is Bookshare better than Learning Ally?

Generally speaking, Bookshare offers more books and a greater selection of books in accessible formats than Learning Ally. However, Learning Ally focuses more on textbooks and other educational materials.

Is Learning Ally legit?

Yes, Learning Ally is a great resource for students with print disabilities, such as visual impairment or dyslexia.

What is the difference between Learning Ally and Bookshare?

Bookshare books are read with high-quality text-to-speech voices, whereas Learning Ally books are read by a human reader.