text to speech free google chrome

Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader

Read aloud the current web-page article with one click, using text to speech (TTS). Supports 40+ languages.

Read Aloud uses text-to-speech (TTS) technology to convert webpage text to audio. It works on a variety of websites, including news sites, blogs, fan fiction, publications, textbooks, school and class websites, and online university course materials. Read Aloud allows you to select from a variety of text-to-speech voices, including those provided natively by the browser, as well as by text-to-speech cloud service providers such as Google Wavenet, Amazon Polly, IBM Watson, and Microsoft. Some of the cloud-based voices may require additional in-app purchase to enable. Read Aloud can read PDF, Google Docs, Google Play books, Amazon Kindle, and EPUB (via the excellent EPUBReader extension from epubread.com). Read Aloud is intended for users who prefer to listen to content instead of reading, those with dyslexia or other learning disabilities, and children learning to read. To use Read Aloud, navigate to the web page you want to read, then click the Read Aloud icon on the Chrome menu. In addition, the shortcut keys ALT-P, ALT-O, ALT-Comma, and ALT-Period can be used to Play/Pause, Stop, Rewind, and Forward. You may also select the text you want to read before activating the extension. Right clicking on the selected text will provide you with yet another option to activate Read Aloud via the context menu. To change the voice, reading speed, pitch, or enable text highlighting, go to the Options page either by right clicking on the Read Aloud icon and choose Options, or by clicking the Gear button on the extension popup (you'll need to stop playback to see the Gear button). Read Aloud is an open-source project. If you wish to contribute bug fixes or translations, please visit the GitHub page at https://github.com/ken107/read-aloud.

4.2 out of 5 3K ratings Google doesn't verify reviews. Learn more about results and reviews.

社長 May 27, 2024

it's good

Connor May 26, 2024

Used this to literally listen to hundreds of hours of text. Very reliable.

Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader handles the following:

This developer declares that your data is.

• Not being sold to third parties, outside of the approved use cases
• Not being used or transferred for purposes that are unrelated to the item's core functionality
• Not being used or transferred to determine creditworthiness or for lending purposes

Pericles: Text to Speech Screen Reader

Speech synthesis redesigned. Listen to emails, documents & websites.

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Select any text you want to read and just listen to it!

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A completely free extension to read highlighted text via Text To Speech.

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Supports Kindle,Google Play,Scribd,Overdrive and Gutenberg, powered by Google TTS (Text to Speech), turns ebooks into audible books

Speechify Text to Speech Voice Reader

Read aloud any Google Doc, PDF, webpage, or book with text to speech (TTS). Natural sounding voices in 30+ languages & 130 voices.

TTS Text To Speech - Voice Reader Online

AI-powered text-to-speech tool. Voice over for books and PDF files. ChatGPT summarizer for anything.

NaturalReader - AI Text to Speech

Read aloud any text with realistic AI voices, compatible with webpages, kindle Ebooks, Google Docs, PDF, Emails, and more.

Readme - Text to Speech

Readme - Text to Speech can read aloud text from any websites, eBooks and documents. Simply select and speak (TTS).

Talking Web

Select the text and let Talking Web read it for you.

Talkie: text-to-speech, many languages!

Fast, easy, high-quality text to speech in over 40 languages. Read out loud from websites, PDF, email. Speak text with TTS.

Select and Speak - Text to Speech

Select and Speak uses iSpeech’s human-quality text-to-speech (TTS) to read any selected text in the browser. It includes many…

Text to Speech

Text to Speech Hewizo removes ads and reads articles in over 30+ languages using state of the art AI text to speech engine TTS

The 7 Best Text-to-Speech Chrome Extensions

Text-to-speech programs can be an incredibly vital tool for many. If you're looking for one, here are the seven best text-to-speech Chrome extensions.

Text-to-speech programs can come in very handy, whether you need to use the extension for reading difficulties, or just because you like having text read aloud. Chrome extensions are the perfect format to use these programs as you browse the web.

So, here we’ve listed some of the best text-to-speech extensions for Chrome.

1. Natural Reader

An intelligent extension, Natural Reader works great for almost any type of text, including PDF, Google Docs, eBooks, and emails.

Natural Reader also has an immersive reader mode that lets you read without any distractions. For those with dyslexia, the immersive reader mode supports dyslexic fonts to make reading easier.

To instruct Natural Reader to start reading, you can use the hotkey Alt + R . Alternatively, if you want to listen to only a part of the text, simply select the text and click on the Natural Reader icon at the end of the selected text.

From the extension settings, you can adjust voice and speed, listen to uploaded PDFs, save to mobile, and set hotkeys.

Natural Readers supports 20 languages, including English, Spanish, French, and German. Other than the Chrome extension, Natural Reader has web, iOS, and Android apps.

Though the extension is free to use, you can get more voice options with Premium and Pro plans, starting from $10 per month.

Download: Natural Reader for Chrome (Free, Paid)

2. Speechify

Speechify is one of the most powerful text-to-speech Chrome extensions on the list.

After downloading the extension, you'll view a floating widget on the right side of your screen. When you click on the play button , the extension starts reading from the beginning of the page. You can, however, enable Click to Listen and start listening from any particular point on the webpage.

It supports 30 different languages and 130 voices. Besides the usual webpages and blogs, Speechify can read out scanned texts, PDFs, and even tweets for you on the Twitter web app.

Speechify lets you save webpages to the library for listening to at a later time. The Premium plan costs $11.58 per month (billed annually) and offers additional voices and languages, lets you listen to scanned texts, and supports importing, highlighting, and skipping.

Perhaps the most useful feature of the paid plan is the ability to increase audio speed. Speechify's mobile app is one of the most popular text-to-speech apps for Android as well as iOS. So, whether you're a student, struggle with reading, or prefer listening to articles, Speechify can come in really handy.

Download: Speechify for Chrome (Free, Paid)

3. Read Aloud

Read Aloud is an open-source project that is specially designed for people who prefer listening to content rather than reading it. It offers support for 40 languages.

Read Aloud can read different formats like Google Docs, blog posts, PDFs, Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, etc. To listen to any piece of text, select and right-click it, then choose Read aloud selected text . Alternatively, you can use the shortcut Alt + P .

It lets you adjust the reading speed, volume, and pitch from the Settings icon. Moreover, you can choose whether to highlight the played text.

Read Aloud has around a million downloads on Chrome Web Store, so it’s definitely a popular TTS extension for Chrome.

Download: Read Aloud for Chrome (Free)

4. Snap&Read

Snap&Read is a feature-rich reading extension that lets you listen to any kind of text. Other than webpages, Google Docs, and PDFs, Snap&Read can also read text from images and scanned documents using OCR.

To listen to any text, select the Loud Speaker icon from the sidebar, then click on the text from where you want Snap&Read to read.

For listening to text from screenshots or images, select the Rectangular Selection icon . Select the area from where you want Snap&Read to detect and read text.

Moreover, Snap&Read can translate the text into other languages and adjust the readability of the text. Using this extension, you can remove distractions and change the spacing and number of words per line to create a better reading experience.

Snap&Read is a great text-to-speech extension, especially for educators and students. It costs $3.99 per month, but you can access a free trial.

Download: Snap&Read for Chrome ($3.99 per month)

5. Talkie: Text to Speech

Talkie is a simple text-to-speech Chrome extension that supports multiple languages. As it is quite a basic extension, Talkie is a good choice if you need limited features.

To make Talkie read any text, select the text, right-click it, and choose Talkie from the context menu. Talkie automatically detects the languages, selects a voice, and reads the text for you. For setting a default voice, you’ll have to upgrade to Premium.

It doesn't have any word limits and can work offline if the languages are downloaded. Best of all, you can download more TTS languages and voices for your operating system, and Talkie can auto-detect and use them.

Most of the features are free, but you can also upgrade to Premium for more options. Talkie Premium does not have a fixed price, but is a pay-what-you-want subscription.

Download : Talkie: Text to Speech for Chrome (Free, Paid)

6. Intelligent Speaker

Whether you want to listen to articles, PDFs, Google Docs, or uploaded text, Intelligent Speaker got you covered.

This extension supports 20 languages and automatically detects the language. You can read complete web pages as well as selected text. To make the voice sound more natural, you can turn on breathing.

Available as a browser add-on, Intelligent Speaker lets you sync your content to a podcast app, so you can listen to articles on the go. You can even download the converted audio file using this extension. Intelligent Speaker works offline and is available for all major browsers.

The free plan supports only one hour of listening each month, so you'll have to subscribe to Premium, which costs $6.99 per month, for unlimited listening.

Download: Intelligent Speaker for Chrome (Free, Paid)

7. Text to Speech

Text to Speech Chrome extension by Hewzio is a simple yet useful extension. It can read the entire web page for you, supporting 30 languages.

To listen to any article, simply click on the extension icon or right-click the screen and choose Read Page . The extension will start reading the page from the beginning. To listen to selected text, play the audio and click on the sentence from where you want it to read.

Text to Speech also has a distraction-free reader mode, making it one of the extensions that enhance your reading experience . You can sync articles across devices, including mobile phones, and create podcasts from articles using Text to Speech by Hewzio.

The free plan does the basic job of converting text into audio, but the paid plans offer more features, including the dark mode. There are three paid plans, ranging from $1 to $10 per month.

Download: Text to Speech for Chrome (Free, Paid)

Let the Extension Read Out the Screen for You

Whether you want to read webpages, documents, or images, these Chrome extensions can read out the screen for you. These extensions are a great way for students to learn different languages and avoid reading long research papers.

Similarly, these text-to-speech extensions are really useful for people with vision impairment or reading difficulties like dyslexia.

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Best Text to speech extensions for Chrome

These Chrome extensions can read text aloud for you

Text-to-Speech can be useful for many purposes. Maybe you’re busy or tired and you’d rather listen to an article like a podcast or an audiobook, rather than reading it. TTS screen readers aka speech synthesizers, can also be of assistance to people who are visually impaired or Dyslexic .

There are quite a few add-ons that belong to this genre, and we selected the best text-to-speech extensions for Chrome.

Top 8 Chrome reader extensions

• Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader – Numerous language and voice options to read text aloud
• Natural Reader Text to Speech – Control the text-to-speech playback, and manage the settings from a widget
• Text to Speech (by Hewizo) - Easy to use screen reader with a nice distraction-free mode
• Talkie - A simple TTS that gets the job done
• @Voice Add To List – Save articles for reading later, and listen to them on your Android phone.
• Simple Translate – Get translations of text and listen to without leaving the current tab
• TransOver - Translates the selected text and reads it aloud.
• ImTranslator -  Displays translations in a pop-up panel and reads aloud the text

List of the best text to speech extensions for Chrome

Read aloud: a text to speech voice reader, read aloud: a text to speech voice reader f eatures & specifications summary.

• Rating: 4.5/5
• Browser compatibility: Chrome, Firefox Brave, Vivaldi, Opera, Edge
• Pricing: Free
• Features: Supports Text-to-speech, Lots of languages and voices to chooce from,

Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader Pros and Cons

• Free (Open Source)
• Easy to use
• Click to read, Read Selection, Read Page
• Text Highlighting
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Playback Controls
• Supports more than 40 languages
• Many free voice options to choose from
• Chrome/Firefox versions available
• Supports premium voices (third-party sources)
• Works Offline
• No registration required for basic usage
• Some voices sound robotic
• Premium voices require an account
• Collects some telemetry

The Read Aloud extension is easy-to-use . Install it, open any web page and select some text. Right-click on the page, select Read Aloud, and the add-on will start reading the text using the selected voice option. There are a couple of other ways you can use the plugin. Pin the Read Aloud button on your browser’s toolbar. When you come across an interesting article that you’d like to listen to, click the extension’s button, and it reads the page aloud. Read Aloud opens a pop-up modal to highlight the text that is being read, it's sort of a mini-reader view panel.

Use the buttons at the top of the pop-up to play, pause or stop the playback. Alternatively, you may use keyboard shortcuts for these functions. Alt + P toggles Play/Pause, Alt + O stops the playback, Alt + Comma rewinds it, and Alt + Period fast-forwards the text-to-speech progression.  The text-to-speech output works offline too, but only for a few voices. You can switch tabs, and the extension will continue reading the text. The Read Aloud extension supports over 40 languages and more than a hundred voice options .  You can adjust the playback volume, speed and pitch from the add-on’s settings, and also toggle the text highlighting mode.

Some voices sound a little robotic with unnatural pauses between words and sentences. But that’s to be expected from text-to-speech software, especially when it’s free. But, Read Aloud supports premium voices such as Amazon Polly, Google Wavenet, and IBM Watson. You will need to create an account and login to the extension, and also authorize the third-party services, to use the premium voices.

Download the Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader Chrome extension here .

Natural Reader Text to Speech

Natural Reader Text to Speech f eatures & specifications summary

• Features: Handy Widget, Text-to-speech, Many languages, voice packs

Natural Reader Text to Speech Pros and Cons

• User-friendly
• Widget with customizable options
• Has free voice options to choose from
• Voices sound better than the competition
• Immersive Reader
• Has an Android app
• Not open source
• Fewer free voice options than Read Aloud
• Requires registration to access advanced settings
• Some features are locked behind a paywall

Natural Reader has most features that Read Aloud supports. You can use it from the right-click menu, or click to play the text or the page.  Offline playback is a nice bonus to have. The extension’s best feature is its widget , it’s not a floating panel but it places several useful options at your disposal. The playback interface is almost like a music player’s, and easy to use. Clicking the gear icon expands the widget, to display a settings panel, from which you can switch languages/voices, customize the add-on’s behavior, etc. It even has a minimal mode that you can toggle. The immersive reader is a bonus feature that removes images, sidebars, and other visual elements, allowing you to read the page in a distraction-free mode.

Since Natural Reader relies on Google’s text-to-speech voices, the experience isn’t any different than other services. The extension supports a couple of dozen voices, and about 18 languages for free, while the rest require a premium account to use. You may use the companion Android app to save articles and listen to them on your mobile phone.

Download the Natural Reader Text to Speech Chrome extension here .

Text to Speech (by Hewizo)

Text to Speech features & specifications summary

• Rating: 4/5
• Browser compatibility: Chrome, Brave, Vivaldi, Opera, Edge
• Features: Supports Text-to-speech, Reader View, Multiple languages available

Text to Speech Pros and Cons

• Reads pages
• Supports 20+ languages
• Scrolls automatically
• TTS Works Offline
• Reader mode removes ads and visual elements
• Reader mode routes traffic via developer’s website
• Options in Reader mode cannot be used without registration
• Does not support click to read
• Some options are only available in the premium version

Text to Speech by Hewizo reads the current web page that you're on, you can trigger the screen reader by clicking on its button or the context menu. The add-on highlights the text that's being read-aloud, and automatically scrolls down the page as required.  The plugin displays a playback control bar at the top of the page, which you can use to select the voice, set the speed, play/pause, rewind or fast-forward between sentences. While it does not support select to read from the menu, it supports click to read, albeit slightly differently. Once the add-on has begun reading the page, you can click on specific lines of text and listen to the screen reader.

Click the H button on the playback bar, to switch to the reader view , it's quite nice as it disables ads in articles, images and other visual clutter on the page. You can use it to save articles for reading later, manage your favorites, etc. But you’ll need to sign up for an account to access these functions. The bad news is that the Reader view doesn’t work locally, and instead is routed via Hewizo’s website. E.g. If you were reading this article through the extension’s Reader view, you wouldn’t be on our website, but on Hewizo.com. While the service uses the HTTPS protocol, this re-routing method does pose an issue of privacy. The extension is a bit buggy, and occasionally fails yo pause the playback correctly.

Download the Text to Speech (by Hewizo) Chrome extension here .

Talkie features & specifications summary

• Rating: 4.1/5
• Browser compatibility: Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Vivaldi, Opera, Edge
• Pricing: Free (Open Source)
• Features: Minimalistic, Reads text out loud

Talkie Pros and Cons

• Free (open source)
• Select to read
• Supports hotkeys
• TTS Works offline
• No registration required
• Can change the voice and pitch (Requires premium)
• No text highlighting

Talkie is an easy-to-use TTS extension for Chrome that supports select to read , it can also be used to read entire pages. It has a button on the toolbar, a context menu shortcut, and hotkeys, just like the other add-ons. The add-on works offline too, which can be important for some users. The extension’s options page has a sample text tool that you may use to enter some text to check the speech quality, and the languages that are available for selection.

Aside from lack of Text Highlighting, there aren't really any downsides to Talkie. You cannot set a default voice per language, or the pitch of the voice without the premium version. But the extension is donation-ware, you can pay what you want to unlock the extra features, or you may unlock the premium version for free if you want to.

Download the Talkie Chrome extension here .

@Voice Add To List

@Voice Add To List features & specifications summary

• Rating: 4.2/5
• Features: Reads text aloud, Saves links for reading later

@Voice Add To List Pros and Cons

• Easy to use, but requires 2 Android Apps for TTS
• Syncs with Pocket and Google Drive
• Supports over 40 languages, many voices
• Requires a Google account to sync between Chrome and the mobile app
• Ads in the Android app

The extension’s name should tell you what it does, @Voice Add To List can be used to save articles for reading later . The Chrome plugin on your desktop syncs your reading list to your Google account, but you have to install the @Voice Sync Plugin app on your Android phone to access the saved pages. To listen to the articles, a second app is required, @Voice Aloud Reader . The reader app supports Google Drive and Pocket. You can use either service to fetch articles, or read files that are stored on your phone.

The add-on failed to add articles to Google Drive, even though I had authorized it my account. The Pocket sync worked flawlessly, which is what I ended up with for testing the extension and apps. The requirement to have 2 apps installed is annoying, but @Voice Aloud Reader is impressive. The app supports 40+ languages with multiple voice options to choose from. If the voice is installed on your device, you may use the text-to-speech feature even when you don’t have access to an internet connection. The mobile app displays ads, which you can disable by purchasing the premium version from the Google Play Store. I use AdGuard DNS on my phone, so while I didn’t get the ads in Aloud Reader, there was a banner promoting the premium version.

Download the @Voice Add To List Chrome extension here , and the mobile apps from here .

Simple Translate

Simple Translate features & specifications summary

• Rating: 3.8/5
• Features: Supports Text-to-speech, Translates Text in a handy pop-up

Simple Translate Pros and Cons

• Handy for looking up translations via a pop-up panel or in-page
• Automatically recognizes the language
• Reads the translated text aloud
• Free and open source
• No options to choose a different voice

Text-to-speech extensions are not the only ones that support the TTS function. Translation add-ons such as Simple Translate also have TTS as an option. Simple Translate’s pop-up modal has a form that you can paste text in to, and when you click the speaker icon near the bottom of the interface, the add-on will speak the translated version of the text.  The plugin is powered by Google Translate.

You cannot choose a different voice, and this is the only issue with the add-on's text-to-speech functionality. The plugin picks up your region as the default voice option, and this is when it becomes a problem. Let’s say you’re located in America, but you’re from a different English speaking region, like Australia or the UK. You may prefer listening to a voice/accent from your Country, but since there is no way to switch to a different TTS voice, US English is literally the only voice available in this scenario. But the extension’s text-to-speech mode will become an invaluable tool for you, if you’re learning a new language, and are having a hard time pronouncing the words.

Read our review of Simple Translate to know more about it.

Download the Simple Translate Chrome extension here .

TransOver features & specifications summary

• Features: Translates Text, Supports Text-to-speech

TransOver Pros and Cons

• Translates selected text
• Supports TTS
• No right-click menu shortcut
• Does not work offline

TransOver is an add-on that can help you translate text without leaving the page. Select some text, and the extension automatically detects the content’s language , and displays the translated version of the same, in your default language. While there is a keyboard shortcut to translate the on-screen text, the open source add-on lacks a menu shortcut, and does not have a hotkey to enable TTS directly. What that means is, you will have to toggle the translation, and then use another hotkey to invoke the text-to-speech. This makes it a little difficult to use compared to the rest. Since it is a translation-focused extension, you can’t use it offline.

The translations worked fine, but the text-to-speech feature in TransOver is a hit and miss, sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.

Download the Transover Chrome extension here .

ImTranslator: Translator, Dictionary, TTS

ImTranslator features & specifications summary

• Features: Translates Text, Fetches Word Definitions, Supports TTS

ImTranslator Pros and Cons

• Displays Translations and Word Definitions
• TTS Supports 18 languages
• Highly Customizable
• Text-to-speech is limited to 200 characters, exceeding which redirects you to the add-on’s site
• Collects telemetry

ImTranslator is the last translator extension in this list. It offers a different experience compared to the other two plugins that we mentioned.The extension can display the translation right on the web page you’re on, next to the original content. To use this, access the browser’s context menu > ImTranslator’s menu and select the in-line translation option. But what we want to use is the option that displays the translation in the pop-up panel, because one of the options in it is a text-to-speech button. Click it to play the translated text. ImTranslator has a modal that drops down when you hit the toolbar icon, and you can paste some text in the boxes, to have it read the contents aloud.

The plugin has a Dictionary tab, that you may use to look up the definitions of words, which makes it a nifty little addition to have in your browser. ImTranslator has a companion extension called Translation Comparison , it displays the translated version of the text from multiple services in a single pop-up window. All that said, ImTranslator has one problem. It has a 200 character limit, if you exceed this restriction, the extension won’t play the TTS in the pop-up panel or modal, and instead takes you to its website, and then reads the text aloud. This might be viewed as a privacy issue for some users.

Download the ImTranslator: Translator, Dictionary, TTS Chrome extension here .

Frequently asked questions about text-to-speech extensions for Chrome

Are all these add-ons available for firefox.

Only the Text To Speech extension by Hewizo is exclusive to Chrome, the others are available on Mozilla’s AMO.

Can I use these TTS extensions offline?

All text to speech extensions recommended here work offline, providing you have the voice packs installed on your computer, e.g. Microsoft TTS voices are available in Windows 10. Voice options from services like Google Translate require an internet connection to work. Likewise, the three translate add-ons cannot function without network access.

If you want a standalone program that you can use offline, check out the Balabolka text-to-speech software.

I want an extension that can read aloud my documents, which one should I use?

Some of these extensions, such as Natural Reader, have an online service that you can upload documents to, and get the extension to read it to you. However, for the sake of privacy, you should avoid uploading sensitive data. You are probably aware that Chrome can open PDFs, so you can use the browser to open the file directly. Did you know that Microsoft Office 2019 and Microsoft 365 have a Read Aloud option in the Review tab?  If you are looking for a free and secure way to read the documents, paste the text content in your email composer, or Google Docs, or Microsoft Office Online, and use the select to read feature that these extensions provide.

Are there any good text-to-speech available for mobile devices?

eSpeak NG, RHVoice, Librera Reader are open source Android apps that support TTS.

Bottomline/Conclusion

Which one of these is our favorite? Let's call it a tie. Read Aloud and Natural Reader are the best text-to-speech extensions among those that we tested. The latter gives you more control over the settings, but the former has more voice options and languages that you can use for free.

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I like using http://balabolka.site/balabolka.htm It has hotkeys they let you read selected text. I setup my unused keypad to do that, 0 key to read selected text and 1 key to stop reading. It also isn’t limited to browser reading as it works wherever the clipboard works. And it’s free.

I appreciate the work Ashwin did in reviewing these text-to-speech extensions and am a little surprised that no one has chimed in with their own personal experiences and takes. I’m going to give Read Aloud a try (in Brave, not Chrome) and see how it works out.

Thank you, Peter :).

Glad you liked the effort, and I hope you find the extension helpful.

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TTSReader reads out loud texts, webpages, pdfs & ebooks with natural sounding voices. Works out of the box. No need to download or install. No sign in required. Simply click 'play' and enjoy listening right in your browser. TTSReader remembers your text and position between sessions, so you can continue listening right where you left. Recording the generated speech is supported as well. Works offline, so you can use it at home, in the office, on the go, driving or taking a walk. Listening to textual content using TTSReader enables multitasking, reading on the go, improved comprehension and more. With support for multiple languages, it can be used for unlimited use cases .

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Main Use Cases

Listen to great content.

Most of the world's content is in textual form. Being able to listen to it - is huge! In that sense, TTSReader has a huge advantage over podcasts. You choose your content - out of an infinite variety - that includes humanity's entire knowledge and art richness. Listen to lectures, to PDF files. Paste or upload any text from anywhere, edit it if needed, and listen to it anywhere and anytime.

Proofreading

One of the best ways to catch errors in your writing is to listen to it being read aloud. By using TTSReader for proofreading, you can catch errors that you might have missed while reading silently, allowing you to improve the quality and accuracy of your written content. Errors can be in sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar, but also in your essay's structure, order and content.

Listen to web pages

TTSReader can be used to read out loud webpages in two different ways. 1. Using the regular player - paste the URL and click play. The website's content will be imported into the player. (2) Using our Chrome extension to listen to pages without leaving the page . Listening to web pages with TTSReader can provide a more accessible, convenient, and efficient way of consuming online content.

Turn ebooks into audiobooks

Upload any ebook file of epub format - and TTSReader will read it out loud for you, effectively turning it into an audiobook alternative. You can find thousands of epub books for free, available for download on Project Gutenberg's site, which is an open library for free ebooks.

Read along for speed & comprehension

TTSReader enables read along by highlighting the sentence being read and automatically scrolling to keep it in view. This way you can follow with your own eyes - in parallel to listening to it. This can boost reading speed and improve comprehension.

Generate audio files from text

TTSReader enables exporting the synthesized speech with a single click. This is available currently only on Windows and requires TTSReader’s premium . Adhering to the commercial terms some of the voices may be used commercially for publishing, such as narrating videos.

Accessibility, dyslexia, etc.

For individuals with visual impairments or reading difficulties, listening to textual content, lectures, articles & web pages can be an essential tool for accessing & comprehending information.

Language learning

TTSReader can read out text in multiple languages, providing learners with listening as well as speaking practice. By listening to the text being read aloud, learners can improve their comprehension skills and pronunciation.

Kids - stories & learning

Kids love stories! And if you can read them stories - it's definitely the best! But, if you can't, let TTSReader read them stories for you. Set the right voice and speed, that is appropriate for their comprehension level. For kids who are at the age of learning to read - this can also be an effective tool to strengthen that skill, as it highlights every sentence being read.

Main Features

Ttsreader is a free text to speech reader that supports all modern browsers, including chrome, firefox and safari..

Includes multiple languages and accents. If on Chrome - you will get access to Google's voices as well. Super easy to use - no download, no login required. Here are some more features

Fun, Online, Free. Listen to great content

Drag, drop & play (or directly copy text & play). That’s it. No downloads. No logins. No passwords. No fuss. Simply fun to use and listen to great content. Great for listening in the background. Great for proof-reading. Great for kids and more. Learn more, including a YouTube we made, here .

Multilingual, Natural Voices

We facilitate high-quality natural-sounding voices from different sources. There are male & female voices, in different accents and different languages. Choose the voice you like, insert text, click play to generate the synthesized speech and enjoy listening.

Exit, Come Back & Play from Where You Stopped

TTSReader remembers the article and last position when paused, even if you close the browser. This way, you can come back to listening right where you previously left. Works on Chrome & Safari on mobile too. Ideal for listening to articles.

Vs. Recorded Podcasts

In many aspects, synthesized speech has advantages over recorded podcasts. Here are some: First of all - you have unlimited - free - content. That includes high-quality articles and books, that are not available on podcasts. Second - it’s free. Third - it uses almost no data - so it’s available offline too, and you save money. If you like listening on the go, as while driving or walking - get our free Android Text Reader App .

Read PDF Files, Texts & Websites

TTSReader extracts the text from pdf files, and reads it out loud. Also useful for simply copying text from pdf to anywhere. In addition, it highlights the text currently being read - so you can follow with your eyes. If you specifically want to listen to websites - such as blogs, news, wiki - you should get our free extension for Chrome

Export Speech to Audio Files

TTSReader enables exporting the synthesized speech to mp3 audio files. This is available currently only on Windows, and requires ttsreader’s premium .

Pricing & Plans

• Online text to speech player
• Chrome extension for reading webpages
• Premium TTSReader.com
• Premium Chrome extension
• Better support from the development team

Compare plans

Sister Apps Developed by Our Team

Speechnotes

Dictation & Transcription

Type with your voice for free, or automatically transcribe audio & video recordings

Buttons - Kids Dictionary

Turns your device into multiple push-buttons interactive games

Animals, numbers, colors, counting, letters, objects and more. Different levels. Multilingual. No ads. Made by parents, for our own kids.

Ways to Get In Touch, Feedback & Community

Visit our contact page , for various ways to get in touch with us, send us feedback and interact with our community of users & developers.

The 5 best text to speech Chrome extensions

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There are a plethora of text-to-speech Chrome extensions, but which are the best of the best? We review them. See the details.

When you’re working on an important project, a high-quality text-to-speech (TTS) extension for the Google Chrome web browser can be a game-changer. All you need is an internet connection — and a device to access the internet, of course. There are many benefits to using TTS technology and speech software, including allowing listeners to translate written text to spoken word on any browser within seconds.

Below, we take a look at the five best text-to-speech Chrome extensions currently available, along with some frequently asked questions about TTS extension options on the market. But first, let’s discuss the importance of TTS technology in accessibility.

One of the key benefits of text-to-speech technology is its impact on accessibility. People with visual impairments or reading difficulties can now effortlessly access digital content. Text-to-speech Chrome extensions enable individuals to listen to web pages, articles, and documents, providing them with equal opportunities to explore the digital world.

For individuals with visual impairments, text-to-speech technology acts as a virtual assistant, reading out the content displayed on their screens. This allows them to browse the internet, read emails, or engage with online resources independently. It eliminates the need for braille displays or other assistive devices, making digital content more accessible and inclusive.

Moreover, text-to-speech technology has proven to be invaluable in educational settings. Students with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or attention deficit disorder , can benefit greatly from these extensions. By listening to the text, they can absorb information more effectively and overcome the challenges posed by traditional reading methods.

Text-to-speech technology also caters to individuals who prefer auditory learning. Some people find it easier to retain information when it is presented in an audio format. By converting written text into spoken words, these extensions create a dynamic learning environment that accommodates different learning styles.

Now, let’s explore the 5 best TTS Chrome extensions!

1. Speechify

Speechify  is a sophisticated text-to-speech application with a wide variety of engaging premium voices and an easy-to-navigate platform. Users can consume content roughly two to three times faster than when reading by sight alone, and multitasking can be easier than ever before. Speechify’s AI voice technology allows for playback up to nine times faster than human speech, and there are many engaging, premium voices like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gwyneth Paltrow.

• Limited free version  available
• Full paid version: $139 per year
• The fastest playback speed of all text-to-speech Chrome extensions in the industry
• Human HD voices in English and 60+ other languages
• Access to VIP customer support
• Also available for Mac OS and Android and iOS devices
• Advanced skipping and importing features are available with paid versions

2. Natural Reader

Natural Reader  allows users to upload text and images for translation into spoken word MP3 files, which can then be listened to on a wider variety of audio players. This TTS software also allows users to switch seamlessly between the Chrome extension and the mobile app for complete ease of use.

• Limited free version
• Pro plan: $5 per month
• Premium plan: $10 per month
• AI Smart Reader technology
• Automatic text detection and predictive text
• Includes a dyslexia font
• Multiple customization options
• More than 150 different text-to-speech voice options
• More than 20 languages
• Immersive Reader mode helps users better focus on the material they’re reading
• Keyboard shortcuts or “hot keys” for commonly-used commands

3. Read Aloud

Read Aloud is an open-source, AI-powered TTS software with multiple capabilities. Shortcut keys let users pause, play, fast-forward, and rewind text translation. The pitch, volume, speed, and other features can also be adjusted using the extension. However, it’s important to be aware that some of the extension’s features may require in-app purchases.

• Lifetime use is $9.99
• Read Google Docs, PDF files, EPUB files, and more via Google Play
• Default voice options like IBM Watson, Google Wavenet, Microsoft, and Amazon Polly
• Supports 40+ different languages
• Navigation via easy shortcut keys

4. Talkie text-to-speech

Talkie  text-to-speech is a great application for users who have difficulty understanding their own spoken words. The Chrome extension allows for both text-to-speech and speech-to-text translation, which is useful for many people with speech and language disorders. This function also allows travelers and locals to better understand each other when interacting with one another.

• Available for Android and iPhone devices, as well as WordPress
• Translates English text to spoken word in other languages
• Also offers speech-to-text functionality
• Create your own shortcut tiles on the dashboard to automatically read a phrase of your choosing aloud

5. Snap&Read

Snap&Read offers a comprehensive reading toolkit that’s designed to adapt to an array of different reading and learning styles. PDF annotations allow for markup and note taking, and the application’s unique Readability Analyzer tool allows users to determine the reading grade level of any text online.

• A free trial is available
• Snap&Read Universal is $3.99 monthly or $60 annually
• Read text from web pages, documents, images, PDF files, and more
• Choose to have text read aloud to you in 100+ different languages
• AI-powered technology adjusts complicated text to help the average user better understand written content
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology offers accurate text conversion from photographs and images

How to choose the best text-to-speech Chrome extensions

There are many text-to-speech extensions out there for your browser, especially in the Chrome Web Store. But with so many choices, picking the best one can be a bit tricky. Here's what you should look for to make the process easier:

You want an extension, like the Natural Reader Chrome extension or Speechify Chrome, that sounds clear and natural, just like a real person talking. The voice should say words correctly and keep the same tone from start to finish.

With a simple right-click, some extensions even allow you to get a pop-up that reads the text to you. This way, you can enjoy listening to the text without getting distracted. A good voice quality ensures that you understand everything without straining your ears. It's like having someone sit next to you and read out loud.

It's great when you can change how fast the voice reads or pick a voice that you like. Some extensions even let you change how high or low the voice sounds. These options make listening more fun and personal for you.

The toolbar of some extensions, like the Text Reader extension, offers easy access to these customization features. Being able to personalize settings means you can set things up just the way you like. It's all about making your online reading experience comfortable and enjoyable.

The extension you pick should work on all kinds of websites and with different types of text, like articles or PDFs. Some extensions even allow for image to text conversion, which is handy when you're dealing with screenshots.

It's also good if it works the same way on different devices, whether you're using a computer, phone, or tablet. This ensures that no matter where you are or what device you're on, you can still enjoy the same great experience. Plus, it's always nice when tools adapt to your lifestyle and not the other way around.

Some people need extra help when using these extensions. For example, the 'Read to Me' extension highlights words as they're read out loud. This can help people who have trouble seeing or reading.

Other helpful tools might let you make the text bigger, change the background color, or use keyboard shortcuts. The 'extension that reads text' or TTS extension can be a real game-changer for many. These added features make sure that everyone, regardless of their needs, can use and benefit from the extension.

Before you decide, see what other people are saying about the extension. Are they happy with it? Does it work well? Their feedback can help you pick the best one. And don't forget to check the reviews in the Chrome Web Store. Real users often share tips, tricks, and insights that can give you a clearer idea of what to expect. Their experiences can guide you to make a choice that you won't regret.

Lastly, remember that the best extension for you might not be the most expensive one. It's about finding the one that meets your needs and fits your budget. Try out a few, especially if they have free trials, and see which one you like best.

After all, the goal is to make reading online easier and more enjoyable for you. And with the right extension, you can transform your browsing into a delightful experience.

Whether you're on your iOS or Android device, or even your PC, Speechify Text to Speech has got you covered. Recognized as one of the top TTS Chrome extensions, it offers rapid playback, a plethora of human-like voices, and compatibility across various platforms. If you're looking to transform your reading experience and boost productivity, why wait? Give Speechify Text to Speech a try today !

The best free text-to-speech Chrome extension is a toss-up between Speechify’s limited free version and Talkie Text-to-Speech.

Speechify has a limited free version available that allows you to try the software before you buy it. You can continue using the limited free version, but you won’t have access to many of the exclusive features that make Speechify one of the best text-to-speech applications currently on the market.

You can use any text-to-speech Chrome extension on your Chromebook. They should be easy to install and navigate, but beginner’s tutorials are available online.

Google Chrome will read aloud selected text to you when you install a free or paid TTS browser extension like Speechify. If you have issues with Chrome reading aloud , check your permissions in the browser settings.

Speechify easily surpasses the competition in terms of how many premium voices are available for users. Get access to some of the more popular voices with Speechify’s free version, or choose any premium voice in the app when you opt for the application’s full-paid version.

Speechify is an excellent option for those who have difficulty reading, including those who struggle with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Speechify was founded by CEO Cliff Weitzman to specifically help address his dyslexia.

Speechify has the most natural-sounding human voices. The premium version offers a number of HD voices in multiple languages and accents to provide you with more options for your text-to-speech conversion needs.

Speechify is a top choice for a text-to-speech plugin for Google Drive, largely due to its Immersive Reader function that helps users stay on track when reading documents, papers, or more.

Speechify is the best TTS option for Gmail. With Speechify, you can cut down on your time reading emails by speeding up your reading pace up to nine times, increasing your productivity .

Recording a podcast is a great way to market a product or service, or just to share your thoughts with the world. Perhaps you’re unable to record with your own voice, or you simply prefer not to but still want to get involved in the podcasting industry. The best text-to-speech Google Chrome extension can help. Choose a natural-sounding voice to read aloud the text that you write, and upload the audio files to your podcast editing software. Treat the text-to-speech file just as you would an audio file you recorded in terms of editing, syndicating, and publishing your podcast.

Best Chrome extensions

ChatGPT 5 Release Date and What to Expect

Cliff Weitzman

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.

• Services & Software

How to use Chrome's speech-to-text

Chrome 11 comes with a new feature that converts your mellifluous voice into surprisingly accurate text in the browser, and we've got a quick guide on how to use it.

Google has introduced a way that you can talk to your browser, as long as that browser is Chrome. It won't talk back, but it will do your bidding. These instructions cover the basics of the new speech-to-text feature, which is functional but has yet to be implemented widely.

First off, be sure that you're using Google Chrome 11 ( download for Windows | Mac | Linux )or later, and that you've got a microphone. Next, you have to navigate to a site that supports the new speech API. Currently, that's limited to Google Translate , which itself is limited to translations that originate in English. Expect that to change as site developers begin to implement the feature. One other hitch is that because this is a brand-new feature, it's also limited at present in Google Translate to translations originating in English.

So: Set Google Translate to English, then click the microphone that appears in the lower right-hand corner of the input box. Speak the sentence you want translated. When you're done talking, Google will automatically translate it. You can also use the site's Listen option (to the right of the text field) to hear what's the translation sounds like.

Web sites that currently use the speech API • Google Translate • Web2Voice , which demonstrates embedded video playback, control, and search • HTML5 demo Web site

There are currently some unofficial options for playing with the Speech-to-HTML API. The Web2Voice site that I discovered in a Chromium HTML5 Google groups forum has implemented basic YouTube compatibility using the new speech API. Click the microphone icon and say, "Green Lantern trailer," to search for trailers from the upcoming movie. If you click and say, "Play official trailer" it will play the trailer with those words in the title. To pause it, click and say "stop." To resume, click and say "play."

This isn't an official implementation, since that would appear on the YouTube site. But this certainly gives a strong indication of what the API is capable of. Unfortunately, having to click the microphone for every input is a bit of a pain. You might as well just click the pause button yourself. Also annoying is that the feature has trouble distinguishing between audio playback from the computer and your voice.

What this likely will be extremely useful for is accessibility within the upcoming Google Chrome OS. If you're spending you're entire computing time in the browser, as you will be in Chrome OS, and using the keyboard isn't easy for you, then having on-demand speech-to-command options are a must.

If you discover more options for the API, let me know in the comments below.

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How to Use Google Docs Text to Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Docs Text to Speech is a handy tool that lets you listen to your document instead of reading it. This feature can be useful for multitasking, proofreading, or for those who have difficulty reading text on screens. In just a few steps, you can have Google Docs read your document to you.

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Use Google Docs Text to Speech

Before jumping into the steps, let’s understand what we’re aiming for here. Google Docs does not have a built-in text-to-speech function, but don’t worry – we can use a feature called “Speak” that’s a part of Google’s accessibility features.

Step 1: Open a Google Docs Document

Open the document you want Google Docs to read out loud.

Once you have the document open, make sure your speakers or headphones are connected and working. This is where the voice will come from.

Step 2: Select the Text You Want to Hear

Highlight the text you want Google Docs to read to you.

You can select a word, sentence, paragraph, or the entire document. Just click and drag your mouse over the text.

Step 3: Access the Accessibility Menu

Click on the ‘Tools’ menu at the top of the page, then select ‘Accessibility settings.’

In the Accessibility menu, you’ll find options to make Google Docs easier to use if you have visual or auditory impairments.

Step 4: Enable ‘Speak’

Check the box next to ‘Turn on screen reader support’, then close the Accessibility settings window.

After enabling this feature, a new menu called “Accessibility” will appear on the Google Docs toolbar.

Step 5: Use the Speak Command

Go to the ‘Accessibility’ menu, hover over ‘Speak’, and then select ‘Speak selection.’

As soon as you click ‘Speak selection,’ Google Docs will start reading the text you’ve highlighted. The voice you hear will depend on the default voice settings of your web browser or operating system.

After completing these steps, Google Docs will read the selected text out loud to you. This can be an excellent way for you to listen to your document while doing something else, or it can help you catch errors you might have missed while reading.

Tips for Optimizing Your Experience with Google Docs Text to Speech

• Make sure your internet connection is stable; this ensures that the speak feature works without interruptions.
• Adjust the volume on your computer or device so that the speech is loud and clear enough for you to hear.
• Use headphones for a clearer and more private listening experience.
• If the default voice doesn’t suit you, explore your operating system’s settings to change the voice and speaking rate.
• Utilize the text-to-speech feature for proofreading; hearing your work read aloud can help you catch mistakes you might have missed while reading it silently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i change the voice that reads the text.

Yes, you can change the voice in your computer’s system settings or browser settings.

Is Google Docs Text to Speech available on mobile devices?

While Google Docs on mobile doesn’t have the ‘Speak’ feature, most smartphones have their own text-to-speech options you can use.

Does this feature work in languages other than English?

Yes, Google Docs Text to Speech works in multiple languages, depending on the language support of your operating system or web browser.

Can I use Text to Speech on a shared document?

Absolutely, as long as you have permission to view the document, you can use the Text to Speech feature on it.

Is there a way to pause and resume the speech?

Currently, there’s no direct way to pause and resume speech in Google Docs. You would need to stop and then re-select the text to start again.

• Open your Google Docs document.
• Select the text you want to hear.
• Access the ‘Tools’ menu and open ‘Accessibility settings’.
• Enable ‘Speak’.
• Use the ‘Speak selection’ command in the ‘Accessibility’ menu.

Google Docs Text to Speech is a nifty feature that adds an extra layer of convenience to your workflow. It’s particularly useful for those who learn better through auditory means or for anyone looking to proofread their work in a new way. Although it might seem a bit hidden away in the Accessibility settings, once you know where to find it, it’s straightforward to use. If you’ve never tried listening to your Google Docs before, give it a whirl! You might find that it helps you catch errors you’d otherwise miss or simply provides a welcome break from staring at your screen. Happy listening, and remember, Google Docs is more than just a writing tool; it’s a multi-faceted platform that caters to various needs, including those auditory in nature.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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Select and Speak - Text to Speech

Google Docs and Slides finally bring their new voice tools to Edge and Safari

• The Google Docs and Slides voice typing feature is now available on Safari and Edge browsers for all users, not just Chrome.
• Voice typing allows for hands-free editing and captioning in documents, and drafting speaker notes in presentations.
• Users can control browser-level access to voice data collected for Docs and Slides, with rollout for all account types by June 14.

As Android enthusiasts, as much as we like to think Google products and services are not a walled garden like Apple tech, there are several services and features available exclusively to Pixel users, paying Workspace customers, and Android users in general. However, one such feature on Google Slides and Docs just shed its Chrome exclusivity to benefit scores of people using these services on Apple’s Safari browser and Microsoft’s Edge pre-installed on Windows machines.

Google Docs tips and tricks: Make the most of the Microsoft Word alternative

Google Docs and Slides have a few features tucked up in the menus, even if you exclude all the new Gemini-powered features added in the past year. I often use voice typing in Docs , available under Tools → Voice typing , or with the quick keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+S (on Windows). The feature also allows editing the document without touching your keyboard, as long as you give the browser tab access to your device mic. Similar controls can be used to add captions to images in your documents.

On Slides, this voice typing can be used to draft and edit speaker notes for your presentation. However, the feature has only been available to Chrome users, and people on a Mac are forced to install the browser if they want it. However, Google has finally expanded support to Edge and Safari.

Desktop users can use voice typing, irrespective of browser preference

In a Workspace Updates blog post explaining what’s changing, Google says the web speech API used controls the feature and users will have browser-level controls for it. This speech-to-text service manages voice data and sends just the text data to Google Docs and Slides for input in your document. If you’re paranoid about voice data collection in the background, just make sure to deny microphone access to tabs where Docs and Slides are open, and your browser should remember the preference.

Workspace administrators can still control which browsers support these features, because only some may offer bowser-level API management controls. That said, Google is not restricting the expansion of these features by account type. The rollout is underway and should reach Workspace, Workspace Individual, and personal account holders by June 14.

• Apps & Updates

Google Docs

Google slides, google docs voice typing coming to safari, edge.

Google is expanding availability of voice typing in Docs beyond desktop Chrome to Safari and Microsoft Edge to allow for “more inclusive and accessible user interactions.”

In Google Docs, you can use your voice to type and edit. Go to Tools > Voice typing to bring up the floating microphone. Google says to “speak clearly, at a normal volume and pace.”

Beyond dictation, voice commands let you add punctuation, select text, format, edit (cut/copy/paste/etc.), move around, and even add tables. 

If you make a mistake while you’re typing with your voice, you can move your cursor to the mistake and fix it without turning off the microphone.

In Google Slides, voice typing can be used to add speaker notes. Automatic captions when a speaker is talking during a presentation is also seeing expanded browser availability.

After enabling voice typing and captions, the browser “controls the speech-to-text service, determines how speech is processed, and then sends text data to Google Docs and Google Slides.”

Voice typing and automatic captions are available for all, including “Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.”

More on Google Docs:

• Gemini 1.5 Pro-powered side panel launching in Gmail, Google Docs, and more
• Google Drive on the web rolling out hovercard preview
• Google Docs adds formatting sidebar on Android tablets
• Google Drive search filters now rolling out on Android

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