GhostReader alternatives

In recent years, advancements in assistive technology have made activities like reading more accessible. Thanks to speech synthesizers and text to speech (TTS) software, readers with learning disabilities like ADHD and dyslexia can enjoy printed and digital text in audio files.

Text to speech or read-aloud solutions read printed or digital text out loud and users can now access several reliable TTS programs. One such tool is GhostReader, a popular and easy-to-use TTS app compatible with Mac computers.

We’ll discuss this program and examine a few other TTS apps you may want to try.

Without further ado, let’s dive in.

What is GhostReader?

GhostReader is a widely used TTS app that helps you listen to digital and printed text. The program uses AI-powered voices to convert imported or written text into different audio formats.

GhostReader is great for boosting productivity, educational activities, practicing speed reading, and multitasking. Moreover, it’s a handy proofreading tool. You can even create natural-sounding voiceovers for YouTube videos and other types of content.

The software features automatic language detection, making it a good option for foreign language learners who want to make quick progress in their studies. The app recognizes English, German, Italian, and French.

If the reading voice doesn’t appeal to you, you can switch to a different narrator with a few simple clicks.

With GhostReader’s highlighting and zoom features, users can improve their concentration while listening to the selected text at their preferred reading speed.

It’s a dedicated app for Apple products and iOS users can find it in the Apple App Store. The Mac desktop version offers users several helpful shortcuts that ensure a smooth user experience. You can download the desktop version from the official website, ConvenienceWare, and start your free trial.

You may be satisfied with the program’s standard version, which gives you access to its basic TTS features. However, only users with a GhostReader Plus plan can unlock all of the app’s functionalities.

The alternatives to GhostReader

In addition to GhostReader, several other TTS tools have features that make reading more enjoyable and accessible.

Let’s look at six apps you can try today:

Read Aloud

Read Aloud is a good option if you’re looking for text to speech software that focuses on reading web content. Unfortunately, the app isn’t as useful for offline reading.

You can access the program by installing browser extensions or find the voice narration tool by visiting Read Aloud’s official website.

Read Aloud supports approximately 40 languages and has several speed settings, allowing users to customize their experience. The program has a solid selection of narrator voices in different languages, but the more natural-sounding voices are only available through in-app purchases.

TTS Reader

This free browser extension is compatible with Google Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, meaning you can use it on your Linux, Windows, or Mac computer. It can read digital text out loud and convert it into audio files.

Its speech synthesis features recognize different languages and users can choose from multiple speech voices, both male and female. After closing the program, TTS Reader remembers where you left off in the text, so you don’t have to waste time trying to find the appropriate paragraph.

Apple VoiceOver

VoiceOver is Apple’s screen-reading app for products running on Mac OS X. You can use it on all Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Apple Watches.

The app registers and reads all on-screen text. For example, when you visit a web page and enable the program, it will read aloud everything on the website, even the address bar.

It works well with Siri, so you can use voice commands to activate and deactivate VoiceOver. Additionally, the tool is compatible with braille displays and multi-functional trackpads.

Amazon Polly

This TTS service relies on artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and machine learning technologies to produce lifelike audio output from digital text. The program boasts an impressive language selection and businesses can build speech-enabled apps and widgets for markets in different countries.

Amazon Polly’s speech voices are available in two narration styles. The Newscaster options resemble the delivery of newsreaders, while the Conversational voices offer a more casual discourse. The service supports raw PCM, Vorbis, and MP3 audio formats.

NaturalReader

With this impressive TTS tool, users can generate audio files from written lectures, textbooks, and books. NaturalReader uses AI-enabled voices to replicate human speech and is also available as a browser extension that can read web pages.

One of the app’s most attractive features is that you can create audio files like MP3 or WAV. As a result, NaturalReader is excellent for making tutorials, podcasts, and voiceovers.

The program offers four plans. With the Free version, users won’t be able to access natural-sounding voices. However, upgrading to a Professional, Personal, or Ultimate account unlocks the program’s catalog of high-quality narrators.

Speechify

Speechify is one of the most robust TTS readers available. The software can read different text files, from Microsoft Word documents and emails to homework and news articles.

If you want to generate audio files from physical documents, Speechify has you covered. The program uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology to process images, identify readable text, and generate high-quality narration.

All you need to do is install the app on your Android or iOS device and import a screenshot or picture of a page. A natural-sounding male or female voice will bring the words to life within a few seconds.

In addition to being a user-friendly TTS converter, Speechify offers a powerful API that helps businesses make their apps and websites more accessible. It’s ideal for blogs, resource databases, and publications.

Try Speechify – The speech synthesizer that offers lots of voices and languages

With Speechify, you can unlock unlimited audio content. No file format is off-limits. Press a few buttons and let the app read Word docs, RTF, ePub files, RSS feeds, papers, RTF, and more. Speechify syncs your library across all devices, making listening and reading a breeze.

The TTS program offers a free plan and users can switch to the Premium version at any time. Start your free trial today and explore Speechify’s unmatched selection of narrator voices.

FAQ

What is a free alternative to GhostReader?

The top alternatives to GhostReader include NaturalReader, Free TTS, Text to MP3, and Speechify. There’s also other open-source software.

What are some other software programs that can read and convert PDF files to text?

Voice Dream Reader, NaturalReader, and Speechify can process PDF files, convert them into readable text, and create audio files.