7 apps on Windows to use to get PDFs to read aloud

Reading PDF files can be a frustrating experience for those who struggle with visual impairments or learning disabilities. Fortunately, technology has...

Reading PDF files can be a frustrating experience for those who struggle with visual impairments or learning disabilities. Fortunately, technology has made it possible for these individuals and others to access digital content in a way that best fits their needs. This technology that helps you read your PDFs aloud is particularly helpful for students, professionals, and anyone who wants to save time by multitasking while consuming content. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of using PDFs to read aloud on Windows, how to enable this feature, and some tips to make the most of it.

How to make a PDF read aloud on Windows

To make a PDF read aloud on Windows, you can use the built-in Narrator tool or third-party software like Speechify.

First, let’s walk you through how you can use the built-in Narrator tool:

1. Open the PDF file in the default PDF reader in Windows, such as Microsoft Edge or Adobe Reader.
2. Right-click on the PDF and select "Read Aloud" or "Listen" from the context menu.
3. The Narrator tool will start reading the PDF file aloud.

In addition to using the Narrator tool, you can use a third-party software, like Speechify, NaturalReader, or Balabolka, to convert the text in the PDF file to speech.

While the built-in Windows tools are quite useful - these native tools may have limitations and the quality of the PDF voice reader may not be as effective as some third-party software. Below is a list of the top 8 applications that you can use to read PDFs aloud on a PC or Windows.

The top 7 apps that read PDFs aloud on a PC or Windows

Speechify

Speechify is a robust and user-friendly text-to-speech application that aims to make reading and learning more accessible for people with dyslexia, ADHD, and other reading difficulties. It uses advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide a more natural and engaging reading experience compared to traditional text-to-speech readers. You can use Speechify to read pretty much any document online.

Some of the features that make Speechify unique include:

1. Personalized speech: Speechify uses machine learning to personalize the speech output to each individual user, making it easier for people with reading difficulties to comprehend the text.
2. Text-to-speech offered in multiple languages: You can listen to Speechify in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and more, making it accessible to as many people around the globe.
3. Real-time highlighting: Speechify uses real-time highlighting to synchronize the speech output with the text, making it easier for users to follow along and improve their reading fluency.
4. Advanced playback controls: Speechify provides advanced playback controls, such as the ability to adjust the reading speed, pitch, and volume of the speech output, making it easier for users to customize the reading experience to their needs.
5. Accessibility: Speechify is designed with accessibility in mind, making it easy for users with disabilities to use and navigate the app.

These features, combined with a user-friendly interface and Windows 10, PC, iPad, iPhone and other integrations with popular platforms, make Speechify a unique and innovative text-to-speech app for people with reading difficulties.

Read Aloud

Read Aloud is a feature in some text-to-speech apps that allows the software to read text out loud. The feature can be used to make reading and learning more accessible for people with dyslexia, ADHD, or other reading difficulties, or for people who prefer to listen to text instead of reading it. Read Aloud can also be used to improve listening and comprehension skills in a foreign language, as well as to provide a more engaging reading experience. To use Read Aloud, the text must first be loaded into the text-to-speech application, which then converts the text into speech and reads it out loud. Read Aloud is typically controlled by the user, who can adjust the speed, volume, and other listening settings. You can access Read Aloud as a Microsoft Edge plugin which is compatible with Windows 10 and can be downloaded and installed as an update or as a standalone app on other platforms such as macOS and Android.

Natural Reader

NaturalReader is a text-to-speech software that converts written text into spoken words. It, also, can be used to make reading and learning more accessible and enjoyable for people with reading difficulties or for people who want to listen to online content as they move around. NaturalReader can also be used to learn a foreign language or listen to documents in your native tongue. The software can be used with a wide range of text formats, including Word documents, PDFs, and e-books, making it easy to convert any written text into speech. To use NaturalReader, the text must first be loaded into the software, which then converts the text into speech, and then the text can be read out loud.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a software app that is used to view, annotate, and print PDF (Portable Document Format) files. It was developed by Adobe Systems and is widely used as a standard tool for reading and working with PDF files. Adobe Acrobat Reader provides a range of features to enhance the PDF reading experience, including text highlighting, note-taking, and real-time collaboration tools. The software can also be used to fill out and sign PDF forms, as well as to convert PDF files into other formats such as Microsoft Word or Excel. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android and can be downloaded from the Adobe website.

Balabolka

Balabolka is a text-to-speech software that can read text out loud using synthetic speech. It is a flexible and highly customizable application that can be used to enhance the audio-listening experience for people who desire to listen to text. Balabolka can be read out loud in multiple languages and can read text from a wide range of sources, including word processing documents, PDFs, and HTML pages. You can change the speed, volume, and other settings to improve the reading experience, and can also save the speech output as an audio file for later playback. The audio file can be saved in different file formats - like wav, WMA, or mp3 format. Balabolka is available for Windows and can be downloaded from the developer's website.

TTS Reader

TTS Reader is a text-to-speech software that uses synthetic speech to read text out. It is a simple and user-friendly application that can be used with little technical know-how. TTS Reader has multiple languages and can read text from a wide range of sources, including word-processing documents, PDFs in pdf format, and web pages. The user can adjust the speed, volume, and other settings to customize the reading experience, and can also save the speech output as an audio file for later playback. TTS Reader is available for Windows and can be downloaded as an app or as an extension for web browsers such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Foxit PDF

Foxit PDF is a software application for reading, annotating, and managing PDF (Portable Document Format) files. It is developed by Foxit Software and is designed to be fast, secure, and lightweight, while still providing an improved set of features for working with PDF files. Foxit PDF can be used to view and read PDF documents and annotate and fill out forms. The software can also be used to convert PDF files into other formats such as Microsoft Word or Excel. Foxit PDF is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, and can be downloaded as a free or paid version, depending on the desired level of functionality.

Choose the best PDF Reader to listen to your PDFs on Windows

Whether you are using Window’s native application or a text-to-speech application like Speechify- it’s best to make the best decision to have the most optimal listening experience. With a large variety of dialects, accents, and natural-sounding voices, Speechify offers a best-in-class listening experience for all readers. Listen to your pdf documents with Speechify by downloading the app or using our chrome extension on your computer!