The Best Speechify Alternatives for Enhanced Reading and Listening

Speechify has made reading more accessible by transforming text into audio, allowing users to consume content faster and more efficiently. Its promise of turning any text into speech, from books and articles to PDFs, offers a unique way to absorb information. However, for various reasons—be it pricing, specific features, or platform compatibility—many users seek a reliable Speechify alternative. This article explores some of the top contenders that offer similar, or even enhanced, text-to-speech functionalities.

Top Speechify Alternatives

Whether you're looking for a free, open-source solution, something with advanced features, or simply a different user experience, there's a Speechify alternative out there for you. Let's dive into some of the best options available.

eSpeak

eSpeak stands out as a compact, free and open-source Speechify alternative available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It utilizes a "formant synthesis" approach and offers support for Android Things, spell checking, and robust text-to-speech capabilities, making it a versatile option for developers and users seeking a lightweight solution.

NaturalReader

NaturalReader is a freemium Speechify alternative that excels at reading various file types, including text files, MS Word documents, Internet Explorer webpages, and Adobe PDF files. Available on Mac, Windows, and Web platforms, it offers comprehensive text-to-speech functionality and even includes support for Windows Hello, making it a strong all-around choice.

TextAloud

TextAloud, a commercial software for Windows, allows your computer to speak with high-quality AT&T Natural Voices. It’s an excellent Speechify alternative for those on Windows who want to convert text to speech, supporting various documents and even integrating with other applications. It also offers support for Windows Hello.

Read Aloud - Browser Extension

For quick and easy text-to-speech within your browser, the Read Aloud browser extension is a fantastic free and open-source Speechify alternative. Available for Chrome and Firefox, it lets you select and read text directly from the screen, offering adjustable speed, pitch, and support for multiple languages. It's ideal for casual web browsing and article consumption.

Voice Dream Reader

Voice Dream Reader is a commercial mobile TTS reader packed with features for iPhone and iPad users. It's a strong Speechify alternative focusing on accessibility, with full VoiceOver support. Key features include Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, Instapaper, and Pocket integration, an integrated web browser, and support for multiple languages, making it a powerful tool for students and avid readers.

Pericles is a free web-page TTS screen reader that eliminates the need for cutting and pasting text. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, and as Chrome and Firefox extensions, it's a valuable Speechify alternative, particularly for people with disabilities, offering seamless text-to-speech and even speech-to-text functionalities.

Voice Instead

Voice Instead is another free TTS extension for Chrome OS and Chrome, serving as a simple yet effective Speechify alternative. It allows users to convert website text to speech using natural voices, perfect for those who get tired of reading long articles online and prefer to listen instead.

kurzweil 3000

Kurzweil 3000 is a commercial Speechify alternative for Mac and Windows, particularly strong in educational contexts. Its key feature is its ability to read PDFs by highlighting the sentence and word being read, which greatly aids comprehension and retention. It's a powerful tool for those who need comprehensive text-to-speech and study features.

Read Aloud

ReadAloud is a free and powerful text-to-speech app available for Windows and Xbox. As a Speechify alternative, it can read aloud web pages, news, documents, e-books, or your own custom content. Its picture-in-picture feature enhances the user experience, allowing for multi-tasking while listening.

Voice

Voice is a commercial Speechify alternative for Mac users that simplifies converting texts to audio files. You can write your text and instantly export an audio file, or simply have your computer read for you. It also offers speech-to-text capabilities, making it a versatile tool for Mac-centric workflows.

Choosing the right Speechify alternative depends entirely on your individual needs, budget, and preferred platform. Whether you prioritize open-source flexibility, advanced reading tools, or simple browser integration, this list provides a strong starting point to find the perfect text-to-speech solution for you.