Speechify
An app that reads your PDFs, docs and web pages out loud.
What Speechify does
Speechify is a text to speech app that reads almost anything out loud: PDFs, Word files, EPUBs, web pages, and photos of printed pages. It runs on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows and the web, so your listening picks up where you left off on any device.
Speechify is the big name in read-aloud apps, and it earns that spot by handling a lot of input types. You can drop in a PDF, paste text, open a web link, or snap a photo of a book page and it reads it back. It started as a tool for people with dyslexia, and that focus still shows in how easy it is to follow along.
The company says it has more than 1,000 voices across 60+ languages and describes the premium ones as close to human. The free plan uses simpler voices and caps your speed, while Premium adds the more natural voices, faster playback, offline listening and AI summaries.
The catch is price. Premium is one of the most expensive options in this category, and some reviewers flag confusing trial billing. If you mostly listen to articles or the odd PDF, try the free plan or a cheaper reader first. If you listen for hours a day across devices, it's one of the most complete packages.
Alternatives to Speechify
Who it's for
Skip it if: Anyone who wants natural voices without paying. People who only need to hear the occasional article.
Pricing
Free planThe free plan gives you basic voices with a slower top speed. Premium costs $139.99 a year on the App Store. A 2026 review lists monthly billing at about $29 a month. Check the price in the app before you start a trial.
Prices can vary by country. Checked 17 Oct 2026.
What people like
- Reads nearly every format, including photos of pages
- Works on every major platform with sync
- Large voice library in many languages
- Free plan to try the basics
Watch out for
- Premium is pricey compared with other readers
- Best voices and offline mode are paid only
- Reviewers report trial billing surprises
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Try this idea: “an app where I paste in an article or snap a photo of a page and it reads it to me, with a speed slider and a list of things I saved for later”
Questions people ask
Is Speechify free?
There is a free plan with basic voices and limited speed. The more natural voices, offline listening and faster playback need Premium.
Can Speechify read a PDF out loud?
Yes. You can upload a PDF on the web or open it in the phone app and it reads it to you, with the text highlighted as it goes.
Can Speechify read a printed book?
Yes. Take a photo of the page and it pulls out the text and reads it aloud.
Does Speechify work on Android?
Yes. It's on Google Play, the App Store, Mac, Windows, the web and as a Chrome extension.