Best free text to speech apps: The top 5

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Cliff Weitzman
By Cliff Weitzman Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify in Productivity on June 23, 2022
There are a host of text-to-speech apps. Searching google gives you more than you need. We've curated the Top 1% text-to-speech apps that you can try free!

    If you are looking for a text-to-speech reader, there are plenty of options from which to choose. Free text to speech (TTS) software has come a long way, with numerous apps able to handle multiple languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. They have high-quality, lifelike, natural-sounding speech, are great for e-learning, and have various subscriptions available.

    Many of them are compatible with multiple operating systems, including Microsoft, iOSChrome, and Android. With so many options, how can you find the best text-to-speech software to meet your needs? Take a look at the speech tool options below, and find the best TTS reader to meet your needs.

    The best free text-to-speech apps

    There are plenty of choices available if you are looking for a free text-to-speech app. Some of the top options and use cases from which to choose include:

    NaturalReader

    NaturalReader is a great option for personal use and learning. It is particularly helpful for those learning a foreign language or those with disabilities. It is completely free, comes with a built-in OCR, and gives you numerous interface options from which to choose. This online tool even comes with a built-in web browser. You can upload written text and listen to the natural-sounding voice read the information to you. There is a premium option available if you would like to upgrade, but it is not free and it can get expensive.

    Capti Voice

    Capti Voice is another option that is great for personal use and can help you improve your productivity. It can help you listen to e-books, docs, and web pages. It is also ideal for those who suffer from vision impairment, dyslexia, and other disabilities.

    There is a tutorial that can be helpful, and there are YouTube videos to help you learn more. It gives you speech tracking word by word, will work offline, and has advanced text navigation options. The voiceover with the audio files is also very clear. These benefits have made this program one of the most popular options in the industry.

    Read Aloud

    Read Aloud can help you convert websites into spoken text. It can handle more than 40 languages, gives you a custom voice experience, and has a streamlined user interface. It can handle PDF documents, Amazon Kindle books, and other epub formats. There are helpful shortcuts that make the app easier to use, and the speech synthesis is smooth.

    You can change the pitch, and reading speed, and even enable text highlighting to follow along while reading text to speech online with a voice generator. It is also an open-source project, so it is continuously being improved, leading to a better customer experience. But, because it is open-source, it also takes a decent understanding of software programs to get the app to run smoothly.

    Voicedream

    If you are looking for a mobile app for iOS users, Voicedream could be a solid option. It comes with OCR recognition, has 200 voices, and offers more than 30 languages. The speech recognition and speech services are solid, as it provides you with access to advanced features. Examples include full-screen reading mode, dictionary lookups, and text highlighting. There are also premium features available that allow you to customize the app to meet your needs. These are not necessarily available with the free version.

    Speechify

    If you are looking for an API that gives you access to exceptional IVR and SSML, then Speechify is the best option. It is a versatile program that can do it all. It can read documents, books, and articles to you as you do work around the house.

    You get the ability to listen to articles, physical books, and other digital text in an audio format. It will sound just like a smooth podcast or MP3 file. There is even a free version available, giving you access to plenty of features that can dramatically improve your reading and listening experience!

    Speechify gives you access to human HD voices made using AI, which gives you a more enjoyable listening experience. You get access to more than 60 languages, and the best OCR technology in the industry gives you the most accurate text extraction.

    You even have control over the reading speed, allowing you to be even more productive. You can find the perfect voice and reading style to meet your needs. Built using an exceptional SDK, it is easy to see why Speechify is the best option available, particularly for those who are looking for a free option.

    Top free TTS apps. A side-by-side comparison

     Natural ReaderVoicedreamSpeechifyCapti VoiceRead Aloud
    Best ForPersonal UseiOS users and those looking for a mobile appPersonal Use, Business Use, Those With DisabilitiesPersonal Use and Those With DisabilitiesThose who are tech-savvy
    Voice QualityHighHighExceptionalHighModerate
    CustomizabilityModerateModerateMultiple features you can turn on and off at willHighModerate
    OCR QualityHighModerateExceptionalHighClunky
    Additional FeaturesHas dyslexic-friendly font and a built-in browserHas multiple reading modes, audio controls, and library management tools availableInstant translation into more than 60 languages, up to 9x reading speed, deep learning to ensure accuracy of text extraction, & text highlighting.Speech tracking word by word, available offline, has cross-device syncCan change the reading speed, text highlighting, and pitch

     

    FAQ

    Some of the most common questions people ask about text-to-speech software programs include:

    Is there a free app that will read text aloud?

    Yes! There are options available, but Speechify is the best one. This is an app that can handle articles, documents, and books as you do yard work, drive from place to place, or work in the kitchen. If you want to multitask, Speechify allows you to listen to physical books, PDFs, and articles as audio files, allowing you to be more productive than ever.

    Is there an app that reads books to you for free?

    Yes! Speechify is an app that allows you to listen to books as they are read to you, free of charge. You are certainly welcome to read along with the book as the audio file plays, but you do not have to. Furthermore, Speechify can handle a wide variety of file types, including HTML, docx, doc, TXT, PDF, ePub, and numerous others.

    What is the best free app for text-to-speech?

    There are plenty of apps from which to choose. Some of the examples include Natural Reader, Capti Voice, Read Aloud, and Voice Dream; however, the best option is Speechify. You get access to the best features in the industry, and there is a free version available, helping you save money.

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    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

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    I have been flailing due to an eye injury on top of Lyme disease on top of long-covid and a herniated disc with neuropathy. Sitting hurts and propping a book while lying down is stressful. Anxiety over not keeping up, ADD with medication fluctuation and nystagmus of one eye, stigmatism with the other eye both before the retina injured has caused duress as an exam approaches in 35 days. I just need to get through these 500 pages and at least try the assignments. I believe this app will be the key.. thank you ever so much! It’s never too late to find a key and unlock the door to a new world!

    “I have ADHD and I love to read but have piles of book that I have never touched. I downloaded this app and it has helped me read more and obtain information better for school! Love this app , I recommend it to everyone!” - JENEMARIE

    “Love this app, I have eye problems and this app helps me read headache free. Plus it’s great for traders to listen to news and multitasks.” - JJJJJJMMMMMMM”

    “I like Reading books but I don’t like to read at the same time this is so nice and very much correct. Totally recommend!” - Amazing use this now!!! - HALL LACKS SI USA

    “I am a student who had dyslexia so is very very very helpful for me. A reading assignment that would normally take me 30+ minutes took 10! I will be using this very often.” - CHAMA NORLAND

    “I’m an audible learner. Speechify helps me to comprehend readings better than I am capable of reading the text silently.” - CANDI CL

    “This is probably top 5 of greatest apps ever, you can literally read alone an entire book in a day. Easily worth the cost of the app.” - TJV 34

    “Excellent for comprehending medical textbooks more quickly and thoroughly!! This is awesome for keeping up with latest surgical techniques and technology. Dr. K” - IMPLANTOPERATOR

    “Speechify saves my 70 year old eyes. I close them. I listen.” - WRANGLERSUPREME

    “I was dreading reading this long story but Speechify got it done now I can go ahead and take my college quiz.” - SUNCOP

    “I teach visually impaired students AND students with dyslexia. This app is a huge help to all of them. Thank you for helping those who need it most!!” - ETTETWO

    “I use this app to proofread before I publish chapters of my books and it works so good! 10/10 recommended.” - LOUIELEIUOL

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