Are you someone who just doesn’t have time to sit down and take the time to read an entire article or story? well, then apps are your best friends. There are apps that read articles, apps that read those cute children’s books aloud to your kids at bedtime, and apps that read aloud to the blind and partially sighted – apps can do it all!
Now you can survive a commute or workout without taking your eyes off the road or taking a single rep off the weight.
You are reading: Apps that read books to you
why do you need an app that reads you?
Applications that read articles are particularly useful if one has a visual impairment or, as mentioned above, a busy schedule. visually impaired people often use apps to read books and other written texts aloud.
Children can listen to bedtime stories with these apps instead of having their parents read them aloud to them, and the visually impaired can read articles and even books with the help of these apps. Is there an app that reads the text to you? The answer is yes, and these apps are easy for anyone to use.
In addition, applications can be very beneficial for those who travel by car or bicycle. In today’s fast-paced society, people just don’t have time during their nightmarish commutes. what about those long hours spent in a doctor’s waiting room? apps that read you can help.
“don’t have time to read? let’s see which apps do it for you. These voice apps can read any text out loud, making written words accessible to anyone.”
These are the 9 best apps that read you, including features and prices:
1. website voice
WebsiteVoice is one of the most advanced Text to Speech application that reads to you the content available on website. It can be embedded on almost any website or blog, and gives user the ability to listen to the online content with full control.
The website voice widget can be customized to match your brand or website theme, and choose AI-powered voices from over 38 different languages. the tool can help anyone who wants to listen to the text instead of reading it. busy people, visually impaired people, or users who prefer to listen rather than read text can benefit from this tool.
available at: wordpress plugin | website | shopify
key features:
- widget customization
- automatic content recognition
- intelligent natural voice using ai and ml
- universal voice customization (uvt) to control and keep speed ringtone
- audio analysis
- fast audio conversion and mp3 audio download
- accessibility features
price:
- $9/mo starter plan for personal blogs
- $29/mo premium plan with accessibility features and additional voices
- $49/mo pro plan to enjoy the best voice experience, audio downloads and priority support
2. read and write
The Read and Write platform by TextHelp is used by educational institutes and even at workplace to support readers to turn text to audio. It makes it easy to write and read stuff online with the help of their Chrome extension.
Users can make use of this platform to read content from email, web page, document or application. It can be used to scan documents and improve reading concentration through the screen masking function. this platform also helps in writing to perform spell checks and offers predictive text options.
See Also: The 10 Best Art Books of 2015
available in: chrome | android | windows | iPad
key features:
- convert text to audio file
- text and image dictionary
- text-to-speech tool to read passages
- speak and write for convert spoken words to text
- create vocabulary list in a new document
price:
- individual plan at $145/year
- group price starting at $12 for at least 150 seats
3. pronounce
Speechify can help you turn the text into an audiobook. This tool is used to make readers more productive, increase retention rate and improve understanding. It is one of the app that reads to you that can create AI based voices that sounds more natural.
Users can upload the document, as a file or from google drive, and can sync across different devices. This app that reads to you gives you better control over the pace at which you want to hear the text. Besides, you can easily use it on ios and android phones.
available in: chrome | android | ios
key features:
- speed control with up to 9 times faster reading
- human sounding voices with different accents
- can read text from image
- can be used on different devices
price:
- free basic plan
- offers in-app purchases for advanced features
4. voice dream
If you want to listen to the text from different documents, then Voice Dream is for you. This app that reads to you has various set of tools including scanning, writing, language support and a few more to help your online readers. This app offers different voice choices, and offers 30 languages (with more voices in paid plan).
This application highlights text and reads it from websites and even uploaded documents. it is used for educational purposes and can be easily used on tablets. this tool can be used to bookmark online resources and highlights the main focus during reading.
available in: ios
key features:
- audio control for voice, pitch and pause length
- skip margin text and quote
- different reading modes
- tools annotation and visual controls
- reading word and pdf documents
price:
- Basic free plan
- $19.99 paid plan with more in-app purchases
Related:21 applications for children with reading problems
5. natural reader
The NaturalReader app is one of the top rated apps that read text for you. This application gives you the ability to copy and paste text into the box to turn it to speech instantly, and download the audio file.
offers a variety of human-sounding voices to read your text and upload documents to convert to mp3 audio. naturalreader offers an online text-to-speech tool, downloadable software, commercial voiceover for videos, and online web reader.
available at: web | chrome extension
key features:
- text highlighting
- available in 18 different languages
- text to speech with AI speech
- mobile optimized widget
- customization options
price:
- Basic free plan with limitation
- Professional web reader plan starting at $99.90/mo
- Business voiceover plan starting at $49/mo
- document reader plan from $99.50/month
6. plain speak
ClaroSpeak is a simple app to read aloud. This app helps in both reading and writing. User can control the reading pace and highlight the text to reduce distraction. It is a useful tool to dictate what you have written, and the tool reads back to you for better proof reading, and essay structure improvement.
See Also: 25 Shape Books for Preschool
offers voices in 30 languages and can also read word documents, pdf and images. The app can be easily integrated with dropbox and google drive.
available in: ios
key features:
- text highlighter
- automatic correction and word prediction
- save to audio and speak in the background
- shades expressive voices and acapela
price:
- basic free plan
- premium plan at £9.99
7. tts reader
The TTSReader is an online text to speech application that read out loud to you text from PDF, online webpage, eBooks, and any text you copy/paste on the app. The widget remembers the last place where you stopped listening to the text, and play to you right from the current position.
is available in several languages and works well in different web browsers. you can use this powerful online app that reads to you anywhere from different devices.
available in: chrome extension | android | ios | web
key features:
- pdf and document reader
- export voice to audio files
- multilingual voices
- mobile apps
price:
- free plan
- in-app purchase available
8. say it
Say It is another used text to speech app that reads to you using mobile phone. It is available on Android and it is more of an Audio book with full features. It is available in multiple languages and help you read text on PDFs, websites, and online publications.
Using this application, you will only have to select the text and it will start to be read automatically. you can also set the reading speed, change the accent, and convert the app theme to dark mode.
available on: android
key features:
- selection of text to read
- remember where you last left off
- language recognition
- speed control
price:
- free to use
- in-app purchase available
9. pocket
If you want to save articles to read later, then Pocket is the best fit for you. Pocket has a native text to speech feature that makes it one of the apps that read to you even in the offline mode. This application adjust the voice pitch according to your needs, offer multiple voices to choose from, and support multiple languages as well.
Users can bookmark blogs when browsing in search engine browsers, and even when traveling without internet service, you can still read and listen to saved content. the pocket app is available on mobile devices and is also available in mozilla plugins.
available in: android | ios | website | chrome extension | mozilla plugin
key features:
- bookmark and save content
- accessible in offline mode
- save to pocket library
- change font styles and size
- add tags to articles
- text search
price:
- free use
- premium monthly plan at $4.99/month
- annual premium plan at $44.99/year
conclusion
The apps mentioned above do an excellent job of reading aloud any text you type; however, they do not stop sounding robotic and monotonous. Choosing a perfect solution and finding apps that read to you can take some time, but it can increase your productivity.
Using these apps can help you read with rhythm, make content consumption more engaging, and a great tool for proofreading. Share with us which app you like to read aloud by writing to us.
See Also: 25 Teacher-Approved Fifth Grade Workbooks – We Are Teachers