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Speechify vs Nitro PDF for Reading PDFs

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

CEO/Founder of Speechify

apple logo2025 Apple Design Award
50M+ Users

PDF tools are designed for different types of workflows. Some focus on editing, conversion, and document management, while others focus on how users read and understand content.

Speechify and Nitro PDF both support working with PDFs, but they are built for different use cases. Nitro PDF is designed for editing, converting, and managing documents, while Speechify focuses on text to speech and listening-based reading.

In this article, we will compare Speechify and Nitro PDF to explain how each tool supports reading PDFs and processing information.

What is Speechify?

Speechify is a voice-first platform that converts written content into audio using text to speech.

Users can upload PDFs, documents, webpages, and books and listen to them with natural sounding AI voices. The platform is designed to help users process information more efficiently by listening instead of reading. 

Key capabilities include:
Text to speech for PDFs and documents
Adjustable playback speed
Text highlighting during playback
Cross-device syncing
OCR support for scanned documents

Speechify is commonly used by students, professionals, and researchers who need to read large amounts of content efficiently.

What is Nitro PDF?

Nitro PDF is a document productivity platform designed for creating, editing, converting, and managing PDF files.

It includes tools for document editing, collaboration, eSigning, and file conversion, making it widely used in business and enterprise workflows. 

Key capabilities include:
PDF editing and annotation
File conversion to Word, Excel, and other formats
OCR for scanned documents
Digital signatures and document workflows
Integration with business tools

Nitro PDF is often used in environments where document control, formatting, and collaboration are important.

How do Speechify and Nitro PDF differ for reading PDFs?

The main difference between the two tools is how users interact with content.

Speechify focuses on listening to PDFs using text to speech.
Nitro PDF focuses on editing, converting, and managing documents.

Speechify allows users to turn PDFs into audio and listen to them continuously. Nitro PDF allows users to modify documents, extract content, and manage files within structured workflows.

Both tools support working with PDFs, but they approach reading in different ways.

How does text to speech compare to PDF editing tools?

Text to speech and PDF editing tools serve different purposes.

PDF editing tools are designed to modify documents, convert formats, and manage files. Nitro PDF, for example, allows users to edit text, convert files, and run OCR to make scanned documents searchable. 

Text to speech is designed to convert written content into audio. This allows users to listen to documents instead of reading them manually.

Speechify focuses on this listening experience, while Nitro PDF focuses on document workflows and editing capabilities.

How does Speechify help with reading PDFs?

Speechify allows users to upload PDFs and instantly convert them into audio.

Instead of reading line by line, users can listen to documents while commuting, working, or multitasking. The platform highlights text during playback, which helps users follow along and retain information. 

Users can also increase playback speed to move through content faster, making it easier to process long documents such as textbooks or reports.

Speechify is built for continuous listening, which supports long-form reading workflows.

How does Nitro PDF support document workflows?

Nitro PDF helps users work with documents by making them editable, searchable, and shareable.

Its OCR capabilities convert scanned or image-based PDFs into searchable and editable text, allowing users to extract and reuse content. 

It is commonly used for:
Editing and updating documents
Converting PDFs into other formats
Managing document workflows
Handling business and compliance documents

Nitro PDF is designed for structured document tasks where accuracy and formatting are important.

When should you use Speechify vs Nitro PDF?

The choice depends on how you want to interact with PDFs.

Speechify is often used when the goal is to read and understand content through listening.

Nitro PDF is commonly used when the goal is to edit, convert, or manage documents.

Some users may use both tools together, depending on whether they need to consume content or modify it.

Why is listening becoming a common way to read PDFs?

Listening to documents allows users to process information without being tied to a screen.

This is especially useful for long documents or workflows that involve large amounts of reading. Users can listen while multitasking, which can make it easier to stay consistent with reading tasks.

Text to speech tools like Speechify support this shift by turning written content into audio that can be accessed anywhere.

Why Speechify stands out for reading PDFs

Speechify is designed specifically for how people consume information.

By converting PDFs into natural sounding audio, it allows users to engage with content in a more flexible way. This can support better focus, faster reading speeds, and more efficient workflows.

Speechify is especially useful for users who want to move through content quickly or reduce time spent reading on a screen.

FAQ

What is Nitro PDF used for?

Nitro PDF is used for editing, converting, and managing PDF documents, including OCR and document workflows.

Can Nitro PDF read PDFs aloud?

Nitro PDF primarily focuses on editing and document management rather than audio-based reading workflows.

How does Speechify read PDFs?

Speechify uses text to speech to convert PDFs into audio that can be listened to across devices.

Should I use text to speech or a PDF editor?

Text to speech is useful for listening and comprehension, while PDF editors are useful for modifying and managing documents.

Why do people listen to PDFs instead of reading them?

Listening allows users to multitask, reduce screen time, and process large amounts of information more efficiently.


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Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

CEO/Founder of Speechify

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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About Speechify

#1 Text to Speech Reader

Speechify is the world’s leading text to speech platform, trusted by over 50 million users and backed by more than 500,000 five-star reviews across its text to speech iOS, Android, Chrome Extension, web app, and Mac desktop apps. In 2025, Apple awarded Speechify the prestigious Apple Design Award at WWDC, calling it “a critical resource that helps people live their lives.” Speechify offers 1,000+ natural-sounding voices in 60+ languages and is used in nearly 200 countries. Celebrity voices include Snoop Dogg and Gwyneth Paltrow. For creators and businesses, Speechify Studio provides advanced tools, including AI Voice Generator, AI Voice Cloning, AI Dubbing, and its AI Voice Changer. Speechify also powers leading products with its high-quality, cost-effective text to speech API. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Forbes, TechCrunch, and other major news outlets, Speechify is the largest text to speech provider in the world. Visit speechify.com/news, speechify.com/blog, and speechify.com/press to learn more.