text to speech app ios free

The 6 Best Free Text-to-Speech Apps for iPhone

These free text-to-speech apps will make your iPhone read out onscreen text.

Text to speech is an assistive technology that reads digital text aloud and can assist with writing and editing, improve focus, or help people who struggle to read.

These text-to-speech apps for iPhone will make your life easier, regardless of your reasons for using them.

1. Text to Speech!

This eponymous app goes the extra mile to do what it says on the tin. Simple and sleek, it offers 95 different voices and 38 languages to choose from and allows you to change the rate and pitch of the voice—giving you full control. Simply start typing inside the app, and it will begin saying the words.

Through the Settings tab at the top right, you can change all the voice and app settings to suit your needs. The app will also let you export the audio or copy the text you've written to the clipboard to paste elsewhere. Quite a cool feature of the app is that you can use it to mix into phone calls, but keep in mind that you won't hear that on your own device.

Download: Text to Speech! (Free, in-app purchases available)

2. Speak4Me

Speak4Me works much the same as Text to Speech, offering three simple tabs: one for Favorites (saved past recordings), one for the actual text to speech, and one for Settings . You can change the rate and pitch of the voice, with an array of voices to choose from and a reasonable variety of different languages available.

You can share the recordings of the audio across social messaging apps, such as WhatsApp or Messenger. Or you can save them to your device for later use.

There's a voice animation feature that doesn't add anything functionality-wise but is a nice superficial feature. There isn't an in-app way to share text to speech in phone calls, but this can be circumvented by setting your phone to loudspeaker and using the Listen button on the app for the person you're calling to hear.

Download: Speak4Me (Free, in-app purchases available)

3. Voice Aloud Reader

Voice Aloud Reader, by Marcin Olawski, is a very capable and responsive app that saves you time by reading aloud digital text from websites, books, and whatever you put into the app yourself. It has a variety of languages, but only three voices for English. While the choices for English voices may be a little limited, the app more than makes up for it with its capability and unique features.

Voice Aloud Reader has an in-built web browser, where you can search webpages and add them to the reader to be read aloud. Through the My Library tab, the app can read books and files aloud. The app comes with A Christmas Carol, Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and Alice in Wonderland pre-loaded, but by pressing the Add icon in the top right you can import documents of your own.

This app, used in conjunction with text-to-speech for Windows software , will ensure that you're always saving time by listening to books or articles rather than having to read them.

Download: Voice Aloud Reader (Free, in-app purchases available)

Speak is very responsive and has a simplified UI that allows you to learn the app's layout within minutes. You use the central box to input words, then press the Speak button to hear them played back to you. Like with the Text to Speak! and Speak4Me apps, you can alter the pitch and speed of the audio using controls just below the Speak button.

You can Export your entire history as a CSV file or individual audio recordings. There's a good range of languages and voices available. Unfortunately, there is no ability to import books or web pages, but you can always circumvent this by copying and pasting text from a webpage or e-book.

There is also no in-app feature to use the app while on phone calls, but this can be circumvented by using a loudspeaker while on a call.

Download: Speak (Free, in-app purchases available)

5. Text to Speech: Audio Books

Text to Speech: Audio Books by Vulcan Labs is simple to navigate and responsive. It offers a great list of options for your text-to-speech needs. With the ability to import from Gallery , Camera , Text , Links , or Cloud , you can input any text from almost anywhere and have it read out to you by cutting edge AI that sounds more lifelike than the voices offered across the other apps on this list.

While the number of voices offered on the free version is quite limited, they are very lifelike, which makes listening to text feel more natural. You can play around with the speed of the playback, making the voice faster if you want to get through a block of text as quick as possible.

Texts can be categorized into Folders for easy access, and the app will highlight the word is being spoken so you can follow along. The quality of the voices offered here make this app a worthy consideration for your text-to-speech needs.

Download: Text to Speech: Audio Books (Free, subscription available)

6. Native iOS Text to Speech

iOS has a very capable native text-to-speech feature that can be enabled through Settings . This feature has a couple of different voices available for a wide variety of languages, with more available to download. You can change the speed of the text-to-speech and enable highlighting of the text being spoken to help you follow along.

It'll also Speak Words While Typing if you want, and you can enable Hold to Speak Predictions to assist you with finding the right word to text to someone.

A cool, unique feature that native iOS text-to-speech offers is the ability to add custom pronunciations, which you can spell out or dictate. You can't see a history of text you've had turned into speech, but you can always use online tools to turn text-to-speech into MP3 audio .

Turning Text Into Speech

Whatever your needs for text-to-speech, the apps featured above, as well as the native iOS text-to-speech feature, will surely suit your needs. And best of all, they're all available to use for free.

• Text To Speech

Best Text-to-Speech Apps for iPhone

Discover top iOS text-to-speech apps and ElevenLabs' advanced TTS features, including voice cloning and multilingual support.

Do you ever wish you could just lay in bed and listen to documents on your iPhone instead of reading them? 

Enter the world of iPhone text-to-speech (TTS) apps, where this wish becomes a reality. These apps are convenient and build a bridge to greater accessibility and efficiency. 

TTS is a doorway to the written word for those with visual impairments or reading difficulties. For the multitasker, it's an opportunity to digest articles or reports while on the move. 

Beyond functionality, there's a certain magic in hearing words come alive , echoing the tradition of oral storytelling in our digital era. 

As TTS technology evolves, the once robotic voices have transformed into nuanced, human-like speech. Listen to ElevenLabs' text-to-speech technology below:

With ElevenLabs, you have the capability to create voice clones that sound remarkably identical to the original.

This article brings you the best TTS apps for iOS, illustrating how they seamlessly integrate into our daily lives, changing our interaction with text one spoken word at a time.

Article Summary

• The Magic of Text-to-Speech: Explore the transformative world of iOS text-to-speech apps, where advanced AI brings written words to life with human-like speech.
• Crossing Linguistic Frontiers: Discover how multilingual capabilities in apps like ElevenLabs break language barriers, making content globally accessible.
• The Best TTS Apps for iOS: A comprehensive review of top iOS text-to-speech apps, including Voice Dream Reader, NaturalReader, and innovative offerings from ElevenLabs.
• Essential Features in TTS Apps: Insights into key features to look for in top-tier text-to-speech apps, including multilingual capabilities, voice variety, and ethical AI use.
• ElevenLabs' Cutting-Edge Technology: Delve into ElevenLabs' revolutionary features like voice cloning, extensive voice libraries, and multilingual support.

The Power of iOS Text-to-Speech Apps: Beyond Just Reading Aloud

At the heart of iOS text-to-speech apps lies an intricate blend of artificial intelligence and linguistic processing. These apps do more than merely read text aloud; they breathe life into words, turning the mundane task of reading digital content into a dynamic auditory experience. 

The evolution of these tools, spearheaded by innovations in AI, has elevated the quality of synthetic voices to a point where they closely mirror human speech, offering a more natural and engaging user interaction​.

Why Embrace TTS on Your iOS Device?

With the rise of mobile platforms, multitasking has become the norm. The modern iOS mobile operating system currently enjoys a 42% share of the global market , and TTS apps have embraced the challenge to become champions of efficiency and inclusivity. 

TTS is not just a technology for those who prefer listening over reading, they are a lifeline for individuals with visual impairments or learning disorders like dyslexia. 

The technology has opened up new horizons in accessibility , allowing everyone to consume digital content without barriers​​.

Crossing Linguistic Frontiers

Modern TTS technology, particularly on iOS, is no longer confined to a single language. Advancements in AI and machine learning have enabled the creation of synthetic speech across a vast spectrum of languages , breaking down the traditional barriers faced by polyglots and voice actors. 

This innovation is revolutionizing how we interact with digital content, allowing individuals and businesses to connect with a global audience in a more accessible, personalized, and immersive way. 

For example, take a look at this video showcasing ElevenLabs’ technology narrating गोदान (Godaan) by Munshi Premchand in the Hindi language.

Coupled with voice cloning technology , multilingual TTS not only expands the reach of content but also retains the unique vocal characteristics of the original speaker. This feature empowers creators to produce vocal content in multiple languages, ensuring a consistent and authentic voice across different linguistic contexts. 

Voice cloning optimizes recording time and enhances the personal connection with the audience, potentially increasing information retention and maintaining consistency in multi-language projects.

TTS in Action: A Spectrum of Applications for iOS

The impact of iOS TTS technology is far-reaching:

• Enhanced User Experience: The hands-free interaction enabled by TTS apps not only makes using devices more convenient but also enhances productivity, especially for professionals who rely on constant information intake and persons with disabilities.
• Seamless Multitasking: Imagine cooking a meal or jogging in the park while listening to your favorite book or catching up on work emails - TTS makes this possible.
• Revolution in Customer Service: Automated responses such as integrated API are powered by TTS technology and are transforming customer service, offering quick and efficient solutions to queries.
• A New Dimension in Gaming: Game developers are tapping into TTS to provide gamers with rich, interactive narratives, adding depth to gaming experiences.
• Educational Empowerment: For teachers and their students who are finding reading challenging, TTS is a game-changer. It also serves as an invaluable tool for language learners, aiding in pronunciation and comprehension.​

Best Text-to-Speech Apps for iOS: A Symphony of Voices

While ElevenLabs stands out as the leading expert in the realm of text-to-speech technology, we recognize and celebrate the diversity and innovation brought forth by other applications in the iOS ecosystem. 

Each app offers unique features and functionalities that cater to various needs and preferences. Here, we explore some of the most distinguished apps in the field of iOS text-to-speech.

Voice Dream Reader : A versatile TTS app offering a wide range of voices and languages, ideal for avid readers and language learners.

• NaturalReader : Known for its natural-sounding voices and ease of use, it's perfect for listening to various types of documents and web content.
• Speechify : This stands out for its ability to convert scanned text and PDFs into speech, making it great for students and professionals.
• Overcast (Podcast Player with Smart Speed) : Primarily a podcast player, it features a unique Smart Speed function for adjusting speech pace in podcasts.
• OpenAI ChatGPT (with TTS functionality) : Integrates ChatGPT's conversational AI with text-to-speech technology, providing a unique and interactive experience for iOS users.

Voice Dream Reader: A Reader’s Paradise 

Voice Dream Reader by Voice Dream LLC is more than just a TTS app; it's a comprehensive tool that caters to avid readers and language enthusiasts. Its expansive library of voices and languages sets it apart, making it an ideal choice for those who seek variety and customization. 

The app's user-friendly interface and customizable reading experience – including adjustable speed, tone, and pitch – make it a favorite among iOS users. 

Dream Reader’s ability to integrate with various file formats and cloud services further enhances its versatility, making it a reliable companion for both casual reading and academic research.

Text-to-Speech Voice Quality: Extremely High. Voice Dream Reader is praised for its high-quality voice and we found the voice quality to be quite high. Voices were natural-sounding and catered to a huge range of user preferences.

Rating: 4/5

Price: Free to use with In-App purchases available. The subscription plan starts from $59.99/year.

NaturalReader: Simplicity Meets Elegance 

Distinguishing itself with its uncluttered interface and natural-sounding voices, Natural Reader by NaturalSoft is designed for ease of use. It allows users to effortlessly convert a wide range of text formats – from documents and podcasts, to web pages – into speech. 

Its strength lies in its simplicity, making digital content accessible to everyone, including those who may be new to TTS technology. 

The app also includes features like text highlighting in sync with speech, aiding in comprehension and retention, especially beneficial for language learners and individuals with reading challenges.

Text-to-Speech Voice Quality: High. A good balance between masculine and feminine voice. The narration voices were reasonably clear and pleasantly natural.

Rating: 3/5

Price: A free plan is available. For intensive personal use, plans start at $99.50/year. Professional plans start at $129.50/year and the Ultimate plan is $199.50/year.

Speechify: The Multitasker’s Ally 

Speechify excels in delivering high-quality voice output, making it a standout text-to-speech toolchoice for students, professionals, and anyone in need of converting written text to speech on smartphones. 

Its ability to scan and convert physical documents and PDF files into audible formats is particularly noteworthy. 

This feature is a boon for users who deal with a lot of printed material, allowing them to listen to their documents on the go. 

The app's intuitive interface and customizability in terms of speech speed and voice selection make it a versatile tool for various contexts, from studying to leisurely listening on both the iPhone and Microsoft Windows web browser.

Text-to-Speech Voice Quality: Exceptional. Speechify delivers outstandingly clear and articulate dictation. While the app excels in its range of functionalities, the voice quality stands out as well. Even the free voices offer a high level of clarity and naturalness, with the premium voices providing an even more refined and lifelike listening experience.

Rating: 5/5

Price: A free version is available including 10 free English voices. A paid subscription to Speechify is $139/year and includes different voices, different accents, 20 languages (including Russian, Portuguese, and Spanish), and 5 reading speeds. 

Speech Air: Note-Taking and OCR Combined

Speech Air by Wzp is a standout in the realm of iOS text-to-speech apps, particularly for its innovative integration of note-taking and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capabilities for iPad. 

This app excels in its ability to convert textin extracting text from images, enabling users to effortlessly convert printed material from diverse sources – be it news articles, books, or text-laden images – into the narrator’s voice spoken words. Its simplicity shines through in its user-friendly interface, complete with handy widgets, making it accessible and easy to navigate. 

Ideal for students, professionals, or anyone in need of an efficient way to transform written contentvisual text such as word documents into audible format, Speech Air combines practicality with a variety of voicestechnological sophistication, making it a valuable addition to the toolbox of any iOS user.

Text-to-Speech Voice Quality: Extremely High. The Speech Air narration quality is clear and understandable. Even though the defining feature of this application is the integration of image to text, the voice quality is also quite remarkable. Expect higher quality from the premium paid voices. 

Price: Free to download and use. There are various micro-transactions to purchase more advanced features and voices. 

OpenAI ChatGPT: Revolutionizing Conversational AI 

The latest entrant in the iOS TTS landscape is OpenAI’s ChatGPT , which integrates the prowess of ChatGPT with text-to-speech capabilities. 

This app combines the conversational intelligence of ChatGPT with advanced speech generation, offering a unique and interactive TTS experience. 

Users can engage in conversations, ask questions, and receive responses in a natural, human-like voice. 

The app's ability to understand and generate speech in real-time makes it a groundbreaking tool for various applications, from education and customer service to personal entertainment.

Text-to-Speech Voice Quality: Excellent. The ChatGPT TTS feature adds incredible functionality to what is already an innovative platform. We were pleasantly surprised to find that in addition to the impressive generative AI features of ChatGPT, the TTS narration voices are clear, smooth, and excellent in quality.

Price: At the time of writing, the TTS feature on the ChatGPT mobile application is only available to those with a ChatGPT Plus subscription. The Plus plan is $20/month. OpenAI has indicated they are preparing to roll the feature out to free accounts in the near future.

What Technology to Look for in an Excellent Text-to-Speech Platform

In the quest for the most effective text-to-speech (TTS) platform, ElevenLabs emerges as a leader, offering a suite of groundbreaking features. 

At its core, ElevenLabs' technology is about generating lifelike, emotive speech in any language, harnessing the full power of AI for a context-aware auditory experience. 

The platform's ability to recognize text nuances creates synthetic human voiceovers that are not just accurate in intonation and resonance but also deliver crystal clear audio transcription at 128 kbps for a premium listening experience.

With ElevenLabs, users can effortlessly generate long-form content without quality compromise, explore a diverse and dynamic voice library, and even fine-tune voice outputs for precise delivery. 

The platform's commitment to emotional range, multilingual capability, and voice variety, alongside an ethical approach to voice AI generation, sets a new standard in the generation of TTS audio fileslandscape. 

Whether it's precision voice tuning, effective punctuation interpretation, or context and speaker profile matching, ElevenLabs provides an unparalleled tool for anyone looking to enhance their digital content with authentic and expressive voice technology.

Let’s take a look at the standout features you should expect to see in a text-to-speech platform in the digital soundscape:

Multilingual Capability and Translation: Breaking Linguistic Boundaries

Image: ElevenLabs

In a world resplendent with diversity, where over 6,900 unique languages weave the rich tapestry of global communication , ElevenLabs has made a groundbreaking move with the launch of Multilingual v2 . 

This foundational AI speech model embraces this diversity by supporting nearly 30 languages, marking a significant step towards bridging linguistic divides.

This advancement marks a significant stride in eliminating linguistic barriers, allowing content creators across various industries to enhance the accessibility of their offerings globally​.

The new multilingual voice generation model from ElevenLabs is capable of producing emotionally rich AI audio in a broad spectrum of languages, offering unprecedented authenticity. 

By integrating in-house research on human speech markers, ElevenLabs has developed mechanisms for understanding context and conveying emotions in speech generation, which ensures that the synthetic voices are not just linguistically accurate but also emotionally resonant​.

The Eleven Multilingual v2 model can automatically identify nearly 30 written languages and generate speech with maintained voice characteristics across all languages. 

This includes maintaining the original accent in different languages, thus offering creators the ability to use the same voice across diverse linguistic content. 

The languages supported include but are not limited to Chinese, Korean, Dutch, Turkish, and many more, encompassing a wide geographical spread from Europe to Asia and the Middle East​.

Looking to the future, ElevenLabs plans to introduce mechanisms for voice sharing on the platform, fostering human-AI collaboration and further expanding the scope of multilingual applications . 

This vision is in line with ElevenLabs' mission to make content universally accessible in any language and in any voice, ultimately aiming to eliminate linguistic barriers and enhance creativity, innovation, and diversity.

By reducing the cost and resources required to create high-quality audio content in multiple languages, ElevenLabs is enabling a more imaginative and culturally resonant content creation process. 

This technology provides significant benefits to various sectors, including gaming, education, and content creation for visually impaired or learning-challenged individuals, by supplementing visual content with speech in multiple languages​.

A Voice Library: The Heart of Versatile TTS Applications

A key feature to look for in an outstanding text-to-speech softwareplatform is an extensive and versatile voice library . ElevenLabs exemplifies this with its Voice Library, a groundbreaking community space where users can generate, share, and explore an almost infinite range of voices. 

Leveraging their proprietary Voice Design tool , the library offers a global collection of vocal styles, each unique, crisp, and lifelike, with parameters like age, gender, and accent customizable for a wide array of applications​.

The Voice Library at ElevenLabs is both a repository of voices and a dynamic community platform fostering discovery and sharing. 

Users can contribute their created voices, enriching the library and aiding others in finding the perfect voice for various applications, from audiobooks to video game characters. 

This participatory model not only encourages creativity but also rewards users when their voices are utilized by others, creating an ecosystem of shared resources and mutual benefits​.

Additionally, the library is equipped with features like sorting for the most-used or top-trending voices, aiding in identifying popular choices that resonate with the community. 

ElevenLabs plans to expand these features, introducing more labels, language-specific voices, and enhanced discovery tools to make the voice selection process even smoother and more effective​.

Voice Conversion: The Art of Authentic Replication in Text-to-Speech

Voice conversion technology, particularly as developed by ElevenLabs, stands as a vital aspect of what makes a text-to-speech (TTS) app exceptional. 

At ElevenLabs, voice conversion is executed through a sophisticated process known as voice cloning , which involves encoding a target voice to generate speech that matches the target speaker's identity while preserving the original intonation​.

This technology has revolutionary potential across various industries. It can optimize production time and costs and enables content creators to earn passive income through sharing their voices. 

Its applications range from filmmaking, where actors can share voice databases to create audio tracks remotely, to medicine, where it can help patients who have lost their ability to speak to communicate again in their own voice. 

In the realm of gaming, advertising, and educational content, voice conversion enriches the user experience by providing authentic, personalized audio content​.

ElevenLabs is also developing an identity-preserving automatic dubbing tool as part of their voice conversion software. This tool aims to make spoken content accessible across languages while maintaining the original speaker’s voice, creating a more immersive and entertaining way of engaging with content across different languages . 

Voice cloning here preserves the speaker's identity, while voice conversion ensures the preservation of emotions, intent, and style of delivery for maximum immersion​.

The process of voice conversion is analogous to face-swapping apps. It involves mapping the "atoms" of speech - phonemes - of the target speech and using them to render the source speech content. 

This ensures that the speech remains authentic to the target voice, balancing between preserving the emotional charge of the source speech and the distinct characteristics of the target voice​.

However, ethical concerns surrounding voice cloning and conversion are paramount. ElevenLabs addresses these concerns by implementing safeguards against misuse and supporting voice owners and licensors in claiming their rights. 

Our commitment to ethical use is reflected in their terms of service and content production protocols, ensuring that the technology is used responsibly​.

Elevating Digital Communication with ElevenLabs

Our journey through the world of iOS text-to-speech apps reveals a transformative digital landscape where technology bridges gaps, enhances accessibility, and enriches our daily interactions. 

From the versatile Voice Dream Reader to the advanced capabilities of ElevenLabs, these apps offer more than just convenience; they are a testament to human ingenuity and technological advancement.

As we embrace the future of text-to-speech technology, ElevenLabs stands out as a beacon of innovation. 

With our groundbreaking Multilingual v2, extensive Voice Library, and cutting-edge voice conversion technology, ElevenLabs is not just leading the way but redefining the boundaries of what's possible in voice AI. 

Our commitment to ethical use, combined with a vision to make content universally accessible, positions them at the forefront of this technological evolution.

Discover the possibilities with ElevenLabs’ state-of-the-art text-to-speech technology, sign up to be a part of this revolutionary community, and explore the future of digital voice at ElevenLabs Text-to-Speech, sign-up , and discover more insights with the ElevenLabs blog . 

Join us in shaping a world where every voice is heard, in every language, in every corner of the globe.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: what makes a text-to-speech app exceptional for ios users .

An exceptional text-to-speech app for iOS should offer high-quality, natural-sounding voices, multilingual capabilities, ease of use, and versatile features like voice cloning and customization. 

ElevenLabs sets a high standard in these areas with its advanced text-to-speech technology and extensive range of services.

Q: How does ElevenLabs enhance the text-to-speech experience with voice cloning? 

ElevenLabs takes text-to-speech to the next level with voice cloning technology . This allows users to create digital copies of real voices, offering a highly personalized and authentic listening experience. 

Voice cloning is ideal for content creators seeking to maintain a consistent voice across their digital offerings.

Q: Can ElevenLabs' text-to-speech technology support multiple languages? 

Yes, ElevenLabs' text-to-speech technology supports nearly 30 languages, making it an incredibly versatile tool for global content creation. 

Their multilingual capabilities ensure that users can produce content in various languages while maintaining high-quality, natural-sounding audio.

Q: What are some innovative uses of text-to-speech technology in different industries? 

Text-to-speech technology has diverse applications across industries, from creating immersive gaming experiences and enhancing educational content to revolutionizing customer service with automated responses. 

ElevenLabs provide insights and examples of these innovative uses on our blog .

Q: What are the ethical considerations in using text-to-speech technology, particularly voice cloning? 

Ethical considerations are crucial, especially in voice cloning. ElevenLabs prioritizes responsible use of technology , ensuring that voice cloning is done with consent and for legitimate purposes. 

They implement safeguards to prevent misuse and respect voice owners' rights, demonstrating a commitment to ethical technology use.

Try ElevenLabs today

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As technology advances, it’s becoming easier and easier for people to access information and entertainment through their smartphones. For people with visual impairments or learning disabilities, however, it can still be a challenge to engage with written text. This is where text-to-speech apps come in – by converting text into spoken words, these apps make it much easier for people to absorb information and enjoy written content.

If you’re an iPhone user looking for a free text-to-speech app, here are some of the best options available:

1. Voice Dream Reader – This app is designed specifically for people with dyslexia or other reading disabilities. It supports a number of file types, including PDFs, Word documents, and eBooks, and features a range of customizable voices and settings. You can even adjust the reading speed, pause and rewind readings, and take notes within the app.

2. NaturalReader Text-to-Speech – This free app is straightforward and easy to use. Simply copy and paste any text, and the app will read it out loud in a clear, natural-sounding voice. You can adjust the speed and volume, as well as choose from a variety of different voices.

3. Speak Text – This app is ideal for simple tasks such as reading out a website or email. Just copy and paste the text you want to hear, and the app will read it out loud in a clear voice. You can also save the text for later and listen to it offline.

4. Capti Voice – This app is designed with accessibility in mind and includes a wide range of features for people with disabilities. You can use it to listen to web pages, eBooks, and documents, or even select and listen to individual paragraphs. The app also supports a variety of file types, and you can customize the reading speed and voice.

5. Voice Aloud Reader – This app is great for people on the go, as it comes with a built-in web browser and allows you to listen to articles, news stories, and other online content. You can also import documents from other sources, such as Dropbox or Google Drive, and listen to them in the app.

6. Read Aloud – This app is ideal for reading books, as it supports a wide range of file types and allows you to create playlists of your favorite texts. You can adjust the reading speed and pitch, as well as choose from a selection of different voices.

Overall, these free text-to-speech apps for iPhone provide an easy and accessible way for people to enjoy written content. Whether you have a learning disability, visual impairment, or simply prefer to listen to text rather than read it, these apps can help you engage with text more effectively and enjoyably.

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How to use text-to-speech on iPhone and iPad

This guide will go over built-in methods and free third-party apps to turn text into speech on your iPhone and iPad.

1. Use Apple’s Speech Selection

All recent iPhones, iPads, and Macs have a built-in accessibility feature that lets you hear selected text. This system-wide setting works in Notes, Safari, Chrome, Pages, Mail, Gmail, Messages, and almost all other apps where you can select text.

Here’s how to use the Speak Selection feature on iPhone and iPad:

• Open the Settings app and tap Accessibility .
• Tap Spoken Content and turn on the switch for Speak Selection .
• Now, open Notes, Safari, Mail, or another app and select the text you want your iPhone or iPad to speak.
• Finally, tap Speak from the thin menu strip.

Your device will speak that text. You can use it to hear one word, a paragraph of several sentences, or multiple paragraphs — as long as the text is selected.

If you do not like the voice and the rate at which your iPhone or iPad speaks, head back to the Settings app > Accessibility > Spoken Content. From here, tap Voice to pick another voice. You can also adjust the Speaking Rate and explore other settings to your liking.

2. Use Live Speech on iOS 17 and later

Live Speech is yet another accessibility feature on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 that allows you to type something and have your iPhone or iPad speak it. What makes it unique is that you can use Live Speech even on a phone call.

In addition to that, you can create your Personal Voice and set that as your Live Speech voice, after which whatever you type will be spoken in YOUR voice ! It’s brilliant, and you should learn more about both Live Speech and Personal Voice !

3. Use Safari

Safari has a built-in option that can read web articles to you. So, if you have a lengthy research paper to read, go through a news item, or just want to listen to a tutorial while you follow the steps, your browser can easily handle that.

Here’s how to have web articles read to you in Safari:

• Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad and visit the article you want to read.
• Tap the AA button in the URL address bar.
• Choose Listen to Page , and Safari will start reading the contents of this webpage to you.
• You can re-tap the AA icon and pick Listening Controls to pause, skip, change the speaking rate, or end listening.

4. Use iOS Shortcuts

You can convert custom text or web articles to speech using free Siri shortcuts. Here are two such options from Apple’s own shortcuts gallery.

• Open the Shortcuts app and tap Gallery .
• Use the search bar to find Turn Text Into Audio & Speak Body of Article shortcuts and add them.

• Now, tap the Turn Text Into Audio shortcut, type or paste the text you want to convert to speech, and tap Done , followed by the play button . This reader shortcut will speak what you entered.

• To use Speak Body of Article , open a web page in Safari or Chrome, tap the Share button , and select Speak Body of Article . The shortcut will read the main content of that web article. However, you won’t see an option to pause it, and the only way to stop it midway is to force close the browser !

5. Use Google

Google has several handy tricks up its sleeves, and here are two you must know about!

Use it for word pronunciation

While you can’t follow this method to hear long phrases or sentences, you can use it for situations where you want to know the meaning of a word as well as hear how it’s pronounced.

• Visit Google.com in a web browser like Safari or Chrome.
• Type the word and search for it. For some words, you may also have to add ‘ meaning .’ For instance, freemium meaning .
• Tap the tiny speaker icon to listen to its pronunciation.

Listen to web articles

Just like Safari, the Google app on iPhone and iPad (not Google.com in a web browser) can read articles to you. Here’s how:

• Get the Google app and visit the news, tutorial, or other such web page. Make sure the page loads fully.
• Tap the three dots menu icon from the top right and choose Read Aloud .
• Google will read the article, and you can manage its playback using the on-screen controls. To change the reading speed and voice, tap the three dots icon and customize it accordingly.

6. Use text-to-speech iOS apps

Finally, we come to free and freemium apps from the iOS App Store that can convert text to speech. You can use them to listen to pronunciations, have them read long PDFs and articles to you, or even export text as audio files.

Text to Speech

• Simple, quick, free, and ad-free

What I love about this app is its simplicity and chat-like interface that makes it effortless to use. Simply type the word or sentence and hit the Speak button. It will convert text to speak. You can further customize the settings by tapping the gear button from the top.

Download Text to Speech

Text to Speech: Voice Reader

• Export text as an audio file

This app is amazing as it does what it advertises. In addition to reading the text you ask it to, the app can also convert those text to audio and allows you to export it as a mp3 file ! It is super convenient if you want to use text-to-voice for simple YouTube tutorials and such.

Download Text to Speech: Voice Reader

Text to Speech!

• Listen to text or export audio

Text to Speech iPhone and iPad app by Gwyn Durbridge has a nice clean interface where you can type or paste your text and have it spoken to you as well as export it as an audio file in m4a, mp3, wav, or caf formats. You can also save your text (phrases) for later .

Download Text to Speech!

Text to Speech PDF Reader

• Have PDFs read out to you

You can add a PDF to this app from your iPhone or iPad’s Files app, and TTS PDF will read out the contents of that document. It also gives you the option to change the voice speed, pitch, etc.

Download TTS PDF

Voice Aloud Reader

• It will read books to you

Have you downloaded books and documents in epub , pdf , rtf , or such formats? You can add them to the Voice Aloud Reader, and it will read that book to you .

Download Voice Aloud Reader

Other honorable mentions

• TextToSpeech : It’s yet another clean app with lots of features. One in particular that I like is its ability to save the text of a web article from the browser Share Sheet. You can come back later inside this app to listen to the saved web article.
• Speechify : It has lots of high-quality voice options, and a subscription unlocks voices like those of Snoop Dogg and Gwyneth Paltrow.
• Peech : Peech is a well-built iOS app where you can add custom text, files (PDF, Word, etc.), scans, or web URLs and the app will read out the contents.
• Natural Reader : It has a clean interface, and the voice it reads out to you feels very human-like. It’s worth a try.
• Text To Speech: Natural Voices : Text to Speech saves your recent text-to-speech phrases and sentences and allows you to replay them in a couple of taps. Handy for listening to long custom text in breaks.
• AIVoice : AIVoice has the option to generate audio from text and also helps you make a video.
• TTS : It offers a huge list of voice options with easy controls on the text-to-speech player screen.
• Speak4me : Finally, we have Speak4me, where you can scan a document with the in-app camera, and it will read out the contents.

Check out next: How to turn a PDF into an audiobook or have your computer read it out

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Table of contents, enabling text-to-speech, taking advantage of different voices and pronunciations, integrating text-to-speech across apps, unlocking multilingual abilities and accessibility features, the future of text-to-speech, exploring text-to-speech apps, use speechify text to speech to integrate seamlessly.

If you own an iPhone and are looking for only the best Text-to-Speech apps, we've curated the best that apps that are available for iPhone. See the list.

In today's tech-driven world, smartphones are our constant companions, and for iPhone users, Apple offers an array of innovative features that promote accessibility and usability. One such feature is the powerful text-to-speech capability, integrated seamlessly across iOS devices. With a myriad of applications and potential uses, this tool empowers users to transform written content into spoken words, catering to various needs and preferences. In this article, we'll delve into the best text to speech for iPhones, exploring how it works, its benefits, and how you can make the most of it across different scenarios.

Understanding Text-to-Speech on iOS

Apple's commitment to accessibility shines through its robust text-to-speech capabilities. This feature, available across iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch devices, allows your device to "speak" selected text out loud. It's a game-changer for individuals with visual impairments, learning disabilities, or anyone seeking a hands-free way to consume content.

To utilize this feature, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content . Here, you'll find options like Speak Selection and Speak Screen . Speak Selection enables you to highlight text in various apps and tap "Speak" from the pop-up menu to have it read aloud. You can adjust the Speaking Rate to find a pace that suits you best. Speak Screen , on the other hand, takes text-to-speech a step further. Upon activation, a two-finger swipe down from the top of the screen initiates playback of the entire onscreen content. This is particularly handy for long articles, web pages, or eBooks.

Apple devices offer a variety of high-quality voices, each available in different accents and languages. To explore and select different voices, head to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > Voices . This allows you to customize your text-to-speech experience, making it not only functional but also engaging and personalized. For those seeking absolute accuracy, you can even fine-tune pronunciations. Under Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > Pronunciations , you can add phonetic spellings to ensure the text is spoken correctly.

The text-to-speech feature isn't limited to Apple's native apps. It extends its functionality to third-party apps, including Safari, iMessage, and even podcast apps. While reading articles in Safari, simply highlight the desired text and tap the Speak button from the pop-up menu. This is a game-changer for multitasking, as you can listen to content while navigating other apps or performing tasks.

Apple's text-to-speech isn't restricted to English. It boasts an impressive range of supported languages, making it an invaluable tool for users around the world. Additionally, the feature extends its capabilities to other accessibility features like VoiceOver , which provides audio descriptions of onscreen elements, enhancing the overall user experience.

With each iOS update, Apple continues to refine and enhance its text-to-speech functionality. iOS 16, for example, might bring new shortcuts and integration possibilities, opening up even more doors for users to leverage this feature in creative ways.

While Apple's built-in text-to-speech is robust, some users might require more advanced features. The App Store offers a variety of third-party text-to-speech apps, some of which specialize in specific scenarios. From reading PDF files aloud to highlighting content in Chrome, these apps cater to a diverse range of needs. Apple's commitment to accessibility through text-to-speech on its iOS devices is undeniably transformative. By empowering users to consume content audibly, regardless of disabilities or preferences, it's a prime example of technology's potential to bridge gaps and enrich lives. Whether you're catching up on your favorite blogs, listening to educational podcasts, or getting through a lengthy PDF, text-to-speech on your iPhone opens up a world of possibilities that truly redefine how we interact with information.

Speechify stands out as the ultimate text-to-speech solution for iPhone users, offering unparalleled convenience and versatility. What sets Speechify apart is its seamless integration across various platforms, including Android, Mac, and even Siri. With its intuitive interface, Speechify lets you access its functionality right from your home screen. The compatibility with MacOS, Windows, and Apple Watch ensures that you can engage with your content effortlessly, no matter the device. From audiobooks to highlighting content, Speechify excels in providing a comprehensive experience. The synchronization with iCloud and iPadOS guarantees that your preferences and progress seamlessly transfer between devices. The feature-rich nature of Speechify extends to phone calls and text messages, with its speech controller enabling hands-free interaction. Typing feedback and the ability to "speak on touch" make it a standout among the best text-to-speech apps available. For those seeking the finest in text-to-speech technology, Speechify is the answer, offering a harmonious blend of convenience, functionality, and user-centric design.

The 5 best text to speech Chrome extensions

Everything to Know About Google Cloud Text to Speech API

Tyler Weitzman

Tyler Weitzman is the Co-Founder, Head of Artificial Intelligence & President at Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews. Weitzman is a graduate of Stanford University, where he received a BS in mathematics and a MS in Computer Science in the Artificial Intelligence track. He has been selected by Inc. Magazine as a Top 50 Entrepreneur, and he has been featured in Business Insider, TechCrunch, LifeHacker, CBS, among other publications. Weitzman’s Masters degree research focused on artificial intelligence and text-to-speech, where his final paper was titled: “CloneBot: Personalized Dialogue-Response Predictions.”

10 Best Text To Speech Apps to convert your text into natural voices

Text to Speech Apps to Convert your Text into Natural Speech

Thanks to advances in AI and deep learning, text to speech has become a common feature in smartphones today. Before these apps existed, we were depended on the Google text to speech engine to read text out loud. But with the arrival of the new cutting-edge TTS apps for Android phone and iOS systems, a lot has changed. These apps increase the accessibility of online digital content, make it easier for visually impaired people to read content and improve comprehension, removes language barriers, helps with multitasking, among other benefits. 

For example, there are times we have all received an important email or text while driving. Not only is it dangerous to read while driving but it can also get difficult to read through the doc and keep your eyes on the road at the same time; you can miss crucial points or lose concentration. This where text to speech applications for Android and iOS play their part in improving the accessibility of content. 

Text to speech allows your android or iOS device to read out loud any text visible on the screen. The text can be anything, from an SMS you've received, a news article, or an email or a PDF. By integrating TTS with a smartphone, users can hear blogs while exercising, listen to PDF files or document and proofread while commuting, and more. Some TTS applications also allow users to customize how the text is spoken aloud, edit words or add punctuation, if necessary, speed up narration, among other things, using appropriate voice controls.

Today, there are multiple text to speech apps available in the market for both Android and iOS devices, but how to choose the best one that meets all your requirements?

To help you out, we have created a list of top-rated text to speech mobile apps for both Android and iOS along with their features, pros and cons, and pricing details. 

Best Text To Speech Apps for Android and iOS

1. narrator's voice.

Narrator's Voice is a popular text to speech app for most Android devices and iOS systems that lets users create customized narration from the text by converting it into speech. You can create narration for any kind of content with various effects in different languages. Users can either speak in or type their messages to the application, after which it will convert the text to speech. You can also choose from a variety of different customizable voices, including male, female and kids voices.

 Narrator's Voice also comes with a unique feature to add voice effects such as echo, reverb, gargle, and choir when your text is being read aloud. Additionally, you can add your own text to Narrator's Voice to create a voiceover for your video narrations and slideshow presentations from scratch.

Key features

• The app can read what you type on the phone in real time
• Can work offline
• Text can be converted into MP3 or MP4 format 
• Supports a wide variety of voice effects
• Users can change the voice by adjusting volume and playback speed
• Users can share the audio file directly from the app or store it offline
• Multi-language support
• No character limit
• Users can earn coins by watching a video on the app to use the app’s premium version for free
• The platform can also convert image to text
• Too many ads in the free version

2. Natural Reader

If you're looking for a text to speech app with a more natural reading style than Narrator's Voice, then Natural Reader is definitely worth checking out. This app offers a wide array of natural sounding voice that can read out text in a very realistic way. Users can choose between multiple voice options in different languages. Moreover, you can also alter the reading settings, change the speed, and convert text to MP3 for a personalized experience.

That said, Natural Readers supports many document formats. Users can listen to text files, eBooks, PDFs, and webpages or paste an existing script to read out aloud onto the app. It’s as simple as importing and listening. 

• Supports a dyslexia font that provides a reading aid to help Dyslexic readers
• Pronunciation editor 
• Users can also bookmark the webpage and continue reading afterward without any hassle
• The app can read images, PDFs, TXT files. Google docs and other documents
• No ads in the free version
• Easy access
• The free trial has limited features
• Users must create an account to use the application
• Free Version
• Personal : $99.50 (users can access only two voices)
• Professional : $129.50 (users can access upto four voices)
• Ultimate version: $199.50 (users get access for upto six voices)

3. Voice Dream Reader 

An  innovative text to speech application, Voice Dream comes with 100+ voices in more than 30 supported languages and multiple unique features to overcome language barriers. The software has great accessibility for people struggling with blindness, low vision, dyslexia, autism, and motor function disorders. In addition to offering audio control in terms of speed, pitch, pause, pronunciation, and citations, Voice Dream Reader comes with an easy to configure screen layout to suit users with different reading styles.

• Can load text files from Dropbox, OneDrive, and local devices
• Enables navigation by page, bookmark or chapter
• Supports a library management system to organize books and documents 
• Provides visual controls to alter the font size, colors, spacing, and margin
• Enables content importing 
• Voice customization options to change speed, pitch, pause and more
• Beneficial for students with vision disabilities
• Users can scan books and images to read aloud
• Works offline
• Can be used only on iOS and not an Android device
• No free version
• Premium version for a one-time charge of $9.99 
• Voices can be purchased in the app at lower costs

4. Speechify 

Speechify is another versatile text to speech app that is available in both Google play store and iOS App store. For text to speech conversion, the app supports about 186 built-in voices across 30 languages. Users can utilize the app to read text from images or upload documents or articles from cloud solutions like Dropbox, Google Cloud, ePub files, emails, text messages, and HTML files and get them read out loud. Speechify can read up to 900 words per minute. To improve the listening experience, the app also offers features like active text highlighting and a floating widget to control the audio more conveniently. 

• Users can add bookmarks
• Supports multiple accents and languages
• Users can adjust the  reading speed
• Image scanner available
• The free version offers limited features
• Only a yearly payment option is available
• Paid version at $139 per year

5. Voice Aloud Reader 

Voice Aloud Reader is a free text to speech software that comes with a great set of features despite having no paid version. A stand alone feature of the app is that it provides users multiple ways to add text to the app. Users can either have the app read from sources on your phone, such as books, PDF, documents, and HTML, or copy-paste a website URL into the application. Similarly, you can also share the text from where you’re reading like on a webpage, eBook reader, and more, provided it has a ‘share’ button. Another notable aspect of Voice Aloud Reader is that users can customize almost everything, be it the text, display, speech, voice, audio, or headset controls. 

Key Features

• File Versatility: Reads various file formats, including PDF, DOCX, and HTML.
• Ad-Free Web Reading: Removes distractions for a cleaner web experience.
• OCR Integration: Extracts text from challenging PDF documents.
• Seamless Sharing: Easy content import for uninterrupted listening.
• Custom Playlists: Create lists for continuous playback.
• Availability of speech customization features to adjust volume, pitch, and speech rate.
• Quick access to dictionaries, translations, and web searches.
• Multilingual Support (Handles vertical text for Chinese and Japanese languages)
• Ability to save articles as offline audio.
• Ability to export and listen to WhatsApp chats within the app
• Outdated user interface
• Only available on Andorid 
• Contains ads
• No rich library of voices 

While in essesnce, Pocket is book marking app that enables users to save web page articles from the Internet for later reading, it also offers a text to speech functionality for future reading. The application can be used on both Android and iOS devices. The Pocket app can be accessed from any device with an internet connection and even works offline for your convenience. The app’s speech synthesis feature enables users to adjust the audio speed, advance or rewind the narration by 15 seconds at a time, and even make a playlist.

• Supports multiple voices and languages 
• Pitch and speed can be modified 
• Simple user-interface
• No feature to highlight words
• Only can be used to to read articles
• $5 per month 
• $45 per year

T2S is a text to speech with a built-in web browser that lets users access web pages without copying/pasting or sharing website links. A "Speak from Here" button appears on the app's browser when a user selects any text on web pages, making it simple to listen to a few sentences rather than the entire article.

T2S also supports other convenient features like 'Copy to Speak' (copies text from any app and converts it to speech) and 'Type Speak' (converts text to speech as you type). Additionally, it displays an on-screen popup button whenever users copy the text from other apps.

• Accept TXT, PDF, and ePub files
• Export audio files for direct use
• Supports multiple languages and auto-recognition
• Can read any randomly selected text
• Voice attributes like speed and pitch can be adjusted and customized
• Provides the option to customize speech, including language, rate, and pitch
• Works smoothly with third-party apps 
• The free version contains ads
• Can only be used on Android devices and not on iOS
• Doesn't support image scanning 

T2S is available for free download on Android.

VoxBox is an advanced text to speech app that serves as a versatile platform for content creators, educators, and businesses. With VoxBox, you can effortlessly transform text into natural, expressive audio, opening up a world of creative possibilities.

This all-in-one text to voice generator offers more than 3200 realistic AI voices in over 46 languages, ensuring a wide range of options to suit your needs. From beloved characters like Spongebob and Optimus Prime to influential figures like President Obama, VoxBox provides an extensive library of AI voices to choose from.

Furthermore, VoxBox text to speech app supports various studio-quality audio formats, such as MP3 and WAV, offering flexibility and compatibility for your audio projects.

• Voice Cloning: Transform a single recording into infinite script performances for advertisements, IVR, games, and more.
• Real-Time Transcription: Instantly transcribe audio and video content for captions and improved audience engagement.
• User-Friendly: Easy-to-use interface, suitable for users of all technical levels.
• Audio Editing and Video Conversion: Versatile tools for multimedia editing and conversion.
• Offers a wide selection of voices in multiple languages.
• Voice cloning technology for creating unique voiceovers.
• Supports various audio formats and provides real-time transcription.
• Accessible for both desktop and mobile users.
• Advanced audio editing and video conversion capabilities.
• It requires an internet connection; no offline usage.
• Available only on the App Store
• Supports a limited range of input and output formats.
• Integrated editing tools are limited in scope.

VoxBox offers flexible pricing options, including

• a monthly plan of $15.95
• a yearly plan at $44.95
• a lifetime plan at $89.95

9. Text to Speech Alpaca

Text to Speech, developed by Alpaca, is a free Android application that offers a seamless way to transform text into spoken words with just a few taps. It serves as a practical reading assistant, making content more accessible for users by providing multiple features.

This text to speech app comprises various functions to cater to different reading needs. The "Sentence Reading" functionality allows users to input text and have it read aloud with a simple tap.

Additionally, the “Read Aloud Webpage” feature enables users to enter a URL, from which the app extracts text and converts it into speech.

• Share URLs from Other Apps: Seamlessly share URLs from browsers and news apps for text to speech conversion.
• File Format Support: Accommodates various file formats, including PDF, TEXT, docx, xlsx, pptx, docm, xlsm, and pptm files.
• Voice Settings: Adjust the reading speed and pitch for a personalized listening experience.
• User-friendly interface with customizable voice settings.
• Support for a variety of file formats for broad content compatibility.
• Seamless sharing of web content from other apps.
• Option to save content as audio files for offline access.
• A high user rating and regular updates indicate reliability.
• Limited voice diversity, according to some user reviews.
• Some users find the voice options to be somewhat robotic in nature.

Alpaca text to speech is available for free on the Android platform.

10. Librera TTS Reader

Librera TTS Reader is an Android application that offers an exceptional reading experience for a wide range of document formats. The app’s intuitive interface offers seamless document discovery through configurable criteria, including auto-scanning of user-preset folders and in-app file browsing.

Librera voice reader also introduces a unique auto-scrolling, hands-free "Musician’s mode.” With millions of downloads across various Android devices, Librera Reader has established itself as a highly customizable and feature-rich text to speech app.

• Document Discovery: Simplifies document discovery with customizable criteria.
• Bookmarks and Annotations: Easily add and manage bookmarks and annotations.
• Cloud Integration: Supports cloud and online catalogs, facilitating sync of reading progress and bookmarks across Android devices via Google Drive.
• Day and Night Modes: Configurable modes for optimal readability in varying lighting conditions.
• Support for multiple document formats, including EPUB3 and archived (.zip) documents.
• Configurable interface with customizable backgrounds and fonts.
• Integration with online and offline dictionaries for quick word definitions.
• Support for RTL languages, such as Thai, Hebrew, and Arabic.
• Volume keys can be configured for easy navigation.
• Missing text highlight feature during TTS reading
• Lacks support for Arabic scripts
• Visual page cropping doesn't always affect TTS, leading to unnecessary content reading.
• Some users face difficulty while using the TTS feature

Librera text to speech reader offers both Free and Pro versions. Users can start with the ad-supported free version and decide whether to upgrade to the Pro version for an enhanced experience.

Unlock the Perfect Voice: Your Guide to Choosing the Best Text to Speech App

If you are an Android or an iOS user, you know how life-changing a text to speech applications can be. But what features make a TTS app really stand out? Here are some of the basic features look for in a mobile TTS app:

Here are some of the basic criteria for selecting the best text to audio converter online:

Natural sounding Voices

Opt for an AI text to speech application that provides a variety of voices with natural intonation and pronunciation.

A natural-sounding voice is crucial for a pleasant and engaging TTS experience, as it makes the content more lifelike and enjoyable to listen to.

Multiple Language Support

Ensure the text to voice app supports the languages you need, especially if you require multilingual capabilities. Having access to a wide range of languages allows you to cater to diverse audiences and content, making it a versatile choice.

Offline Functionality

While you may find a text to audio converter online , look for apps that offer offline functionality as well.

Some apps can work without an internet connection, which is valuable for users who may need TTS assistance in remote or offline settings. This feature ensures uninterrupted access to TTS services.

Customization Options

Choose a text to speech reader that allows you to adjust the speed, pitch, and volume of the speech output. Customization options are essential for tailoring the TTS experience to your specific preferences, making it more personalized and comfortable for your needs.

Text Input Methods

Opt for an AI voice text to speech that supports various text input methods. The ability to input text from different sources, including web pages, documents, or typed text, enhances the app's versatility.

This ensures that you can use TTS across a wide range of content types and platforms, making it a more comprehensive and adaptable tool.

Considering these factors will help you select a text to speech app that perfectly suits your unique needs and preferences, ultimately enhancing its versatility across various content types and platforms.

Why should you consider Murf text to speech?

Now that we have gone through the features, pros, and cons of a good text to speech app, lets see what makes Murf Studio a strong text to speech contender, inspite of not supporting a mobile application. 

Murf is text to speech software that offers over 120+ natural-sounding professional-quality AI voices in over 20 languages. Murf has a wide range of features that make it perfect for anyone looking to add a bit of extra flavor and personality to their voiceover narration. Beyond a text to speech app that lets users convert their text to 100 percent human-like speech, the software serves as a voiceover tool that enables users to create perfectly timed voice over videos . 

Murf offers the following customizations that help users in creating the perfect audio every time for their projects:

• Change in speed and pitch
• Change in pronunciation of words
• Adding pauses in between sentences and phrases
• Adding emphasis to words and sentences

Along with these voice modulations, Murf supports top-notch features like:

• Voice changer : Change the voice in any existing voiceover from male to female and vice versa or change a home recorded audio to a studio-quality voiceover narration
• Easy editing: Editing in Murf is as simple as editing a document. You can add, remove, change and modify words, and sentences in your script and generate the audio in real-time. 
• Voice cloning: Users can create custom voice clones of any recorded voice of their choice and develop voiceovers. (Just like a pre-existing voice in Murf’s library)
• Background music: You can also add background music to the voiceover by choosing a voice clip from Murf’s royalty-free music library of stock BGMs and ringtones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read more about the   best text to speech software, best text to speech chrome extensions , and best text to speech apps available online and their advantages.

‍ Related Links: Murf , Wellsaid Labs , Natural Readers , Amazon Polly , Google Text to Speech , TTS Reader , FakeYou , TTSMP3 , Notevibes , Speechify , IBM Watson Text to speech , Goanimate , Speechmax , 15 ai , Voice Maker , Uberduck , Oddcast , Synthesia , Lovo AI , Microsoft Azure TTS , ElevenLabs , Resemble ai , Ivona text to speech , Play.ht , Clownfish Voice Changer , Nuance text to speech , Fliki text to speech , Vall E , Synthesys , Narakeet , Listnr , Podcastle , SAM Text to Speech , Botika text to speech , Elai text to speech , Heygen text to speech , eSpeak , Balabolka text to speech .

Murf supports Text to speech in

Important Links

How to create.

#1 Text To Speech (TTS) Reader Online

Proudly serving millions of users since 2015

Type or upload any text, file, website & book for listening online, proofreading, reading-along or generating professional mp3 voice-overs.

I need to >

Play Text Out Loud

Reads out loud plain text, files, e-books and websites. Remembers text & caret position, so you can come back to listening later, unlimited length, recording and more.

Create Humanlike Voiceovers

The simplest most robust & affordable AI voice-over generating tool online. Mix voices, languages & speeds. Listen before recording. Unlimited!

Additional Text-To-Speech Solutions

Turns your articles, PDFs, emails, etc. into podcasts, so you can listen to it on your own podcast player when convenient, with all the advantages that come with your podcast app.

SpeechNinja says what you type in real time. It enables people with speech difficulties to speak out loud using synthesized voice (AAC) and more.

Battle tested for years, serving millions of users, especially good for very long texts.

Need to read a webpage? Simply paste its URL here & click play. Leave empty to read about the Beatles 🎸

Books & Stories

Listen to some of the best stories ever written. We have them right here. Want to upload your own? Use the main player to upload epub files.

Simply paste any URL (link to a page) and it will import & read it out loud.

Chrome Extension

Reads out loud webpages, directly from within the page.

TTSReader for mobile - iOS or Android. Includes exporting audio to mp3 files.

NEW 🚀 - TTS Plugin

Make your own website speak your content - with a single line of code. Hassle free.

TTSReader Premium

Support our development team & enjoy ad-free better experience. Commercial users, publishers are required a premium license.

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 .

Get Started for Free

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.

Best speech-to-text app of 2024

Free, paid and online voice recognition apps and services

Best overall

Best for business, best for mobile, best text service, best speech recognition, best virtual assistant, best for cloud, best for azure, best for batch conversion, best free speech to text apps, best mobile speech to text apps, how we test.

The best speech-to-text apps make it simple and easy to convert speech into text, for both desktop and mobile devices.

1. Best overall 2. Best for business 3. Best for mobile 4. Best text service 5. Best speech recognition 6. Best virtual assistant 7. Best for cloud 8. Best for Azure 9. Best for batch conversion 10. Best free speech to text apps 11. Best mobile speech to text apps 12. FAQs 13. How we test

Speech-to-text used to be regarded as very niche, specifically serving either people with accessibility needs or for  dictation . However, speech-to-text is moving more and more into the mainstream as office work can now routinely be completed more simply and easily by using voce-recognition software, rather than having to type through members, and speaking aloud for text to be recorded is now quite common.

While the best speech to text software used to be specifically only for desktops, the development of mobile devices and the explosion of easily accessible apps means that transcription can now also be carried out on a  smartphone  or  tablet . 

This has made the best voice to text applications increasingly valuable to users in a range of different environments, from education to business. This is not least because the technology has matured to the level where mistakes in transcriptions are relatively rare, with some services rightly boasting a 99.9% success rate from clear audio.

Even still, this applies mainly to ordinary situations and circumstances, and precludes the use of technical terminology such as required in legal or medical professions. Despite this, digital transcription can still service needs such as basic  note-taking  which can still be easily done using a phone app, simplifying the dictation process.

However, different speech-to-text programs have different levels of ability and complexity, with some using advanced machine learning to constantly correct errors flagged up by users so that they are not repeated. Others are downloadable software which is only as good as its latest update.

Here then are the best in speech-to-text recognition programs, which should be more than capable for most situations and circumstances.

We've also featured the best voice recognition software .

The best paid for speech to text apps of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

1. Dragon Anywhere

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Dragon Anywhere is the Nuance mobile product for Android and iOS devices, however this is no ‘lite’ app, but rather offers fully-formed dictation capabilities powered via the cloud. 

So essentially you get the same excellent speech recognition as seen on the desktop software – the only meaningful difference we noticed was a very slight delay in our spoken words appearing on the screen (doubtless due to processing in the cloud). However, note that the app was still responsive enough overall.

It also boasts support for boilerplate chunks of text which can be set up and inserted into a document with a simple command, and these, along with custom vocabularies, are synced across the mobile app and desktop Dragon software. Furthermore, you can share documents across devices via Evernote or cloud services (such as Dropbox).

This isn’t as flexible as the desktop application, however, as dictation is limited to within Dragon Anywhere – you can’t dictate directly in another app (although you can copy over text from the Dragon Anywhere dictation pad to a third-party app). The other caveats are the need for an internet connection for the app to work (due to its cloud-powered nature), and the fact that it’s a subscription offering with no one-off purchase option, which might not be to everyone’s tastes.

Even bearing in mind these limitations, though, it’s a definite boon to have fully-fledged, powerful voice recognition of the same sterling quality as the desktop software, nestling on your phone or tablet for when you’re away from the office.

Nuance Communications offers a 7-day free trial to give the app a try before you commit to a subscription. 

Read our full Dragon Anywhere review .

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2. Dragon Professional

Should you be looking for a business-grade dictation application, your best bet is Dragon Professional. Aimed at pro users, the software provides you with the tools to dictate and edit documents, create spreadsheets, and browse the web using your voice.   

According to Nuance, the solution is capable of taking dictation at an equivalent typing speed of 160 words per minute, with a 99% accuracy rate – and that’s out-of-the-box, before any training is done (whereby the app adapts to your voice and words you commonly use).

As well as creating documents using your voice, you can also import custom word lists. There’s also an additional mobile app that lets you transcribe audio files and send them back to your computer.   

This is a powerful, flexible, and hugely useful tool that is especially good for individuals, such as professionals and freelancers, allowing for typing and document management to be done much more flexibly and easily.

Overall, the interface is easy to use, and if you get stuck at all, you can access a series of help tutorials. And while the software can seem expensive, it's just a one-time fee and compares very favorably with paid-for subscription transcription services.

Also note that Nuance are currently offering 12-months' access to Dragon Anywhere at no extra cost with any purchase of Dragon Home or Dragon Professional Individual.

Read our full Dragon Professional review .

Otter is a cloud-based speech to text program especially aimed for mobile use, such as on a laptop or smartphone. The app provides real-time transcription, allowing you to search, edit, play, and organize as required.

Otter is marketed as an app specifically for meetings, interviews, and lectures, to make it easier to take rich notes. However, it is also built to work with collaboration between teams, and different speakers are assigned different speaker IDs to make it easier to understand transcriptions.

There are three different payment plans, with the basic one being free to use and aside from the features mentioned above also includes keyword summaries and a wordcloud to make it easier to find specific topic mentions. You can also organize and share, import audio and video for transcription, and provides 600 minutes of free service.

The Premium plan also includes advanced and bulk export options, the ability to sync audio from Dropbox, additional playback speeds including the ability to skip silent pauses. The Premium plan also allows for up to 6,000 minutes of speech to text.

The Teams plan also adds two-factor authentication, user management and centralized billing, as well as user statistics, voiceprints, and live captioning.

Read our full Otter review .

Verbit aims to offer a smarter speech to text service, using AI for transcription and captioning. The service is specifically targeted at enterprise and educational establishments.

Verbit uses a mix of speech models, using neural networks and algorithms to reduce background noise, focus on terms as well as differentiate between speakers regardless of accent, as well as incorporate contextual events such as news and company information into recordings.

Although Verbit does offer a live version for transcription and captioning, aiming for a high degree of accuracy, other plans offer human editors to ensure transcriptions are fully accurate, and advertise a four hour turnaround time.

Altogether, while Verbit does offer a direct speech to text service, it’s possibly better thought of as a transcription service, but the focus on enterprise and education, as well as team use, means it earns a place here as an option to consider.

Read our full Verbit review .

5. Speechmatics

Speechmatics offers a machine learning solution to converting speech to text, with its automatic speech recognition solution available to use on existing audio and video files as well as for live use.

Unlike some automated transcription software which can struggle with accents or charge more for them, Speechmatics advertises itself as being able to support all major British accents, regardless of nationality. That way it aims to cope with not just different American and British English accents, but also South African and Jamaican accents.

Speechmatics offers a wider number of speech to text transcription uses than many other providers. Examples include taking call center phone recordings and converting them into searchable text or Word documents. The software also works with video and other media for captioning as well as using keyword triggers for management.

Overall, Speechmatics aims to offer a more flexible and comprehensive speech to text service than a lot of other providers, and the use of automation should keep them price competitive.

Read our full Speechmatics review .

6. Braina Pro

Braina Pro is speech recognition software which is built not just for dictation, but also as an all-round digital assistant to help you achieve various tasks on your PC. It supports dictation to third-party software in not just English but almost 90 different languages, with impressive voice recognition chops.

Beyond that, it’s a virtual assistant that can be instructed to set alarms, search your PC for a file, or search the internet, play an MP3 file, read an ebook aloud, plus you can implement various custom commands.

The Windows program also has a companion Android app which can remotely control your PC, and use the local Wi-Fi network to deliver commands to your computer, so you can spark up a music playlist, for example, wherever you happen to be in the house. Nifty.

There’s a free version of Braina which comes with limited functionality, but includes all the basic PC commands, along with a 7-day trial of the speech recognition which allows you to test out its powers for yourself before you commit to a subscription. Yes, this is another subscription-only product with no option to purchase for a one-off fee. Also note that you need to be online and have Google ’s Chrome browser installed for speech recognition functionality to work.

Read our full Braina Pro review .

7. Amazon Transcribe

Amazon Transcribe is as big cloud-based automatic speech recognition platform developed specifically to convert audio to text for apps. It especially aims to provide a more accurate and comprehensive service than traditional providers, such as being able to cope with low-fi and noisy recordings, such as you might get in a contact center .

Amazon Transcribe uses a deep learning process that automatically adds punctuation and formatting, as well as process with a secure livestream or otherwise transcribe speech to text with batch processing.

As well as offering time stamping for individual words for easy search, it can also identify different speaks and different channels and annotate documents accordingly to account for this.

There are also some nice features for editing and managing transcribed texts, such as vocabulary filtering and replacement words which can be used to keep product names consistent and therefore any following transcription easier to analyze.

Overall, Amazon Transcribe is one of the most powerful platforms out there, though it’s aimed more for the business and enterprise user rather than the individual.

8. Microsoft Azure Speech to Text

Microsoft 's Azure cloud service offers advanced speech recognition as part of the platform's speech services to deliver the Microsoft Azure Speech to Text functionality. 

This feature allows you to simply and easily create text from a variety of audio sources. There are also customization options available to work better with different speech patterns, registers, and even background sounds. You can also modify settings to handle different specialist vocabularies, such as product names, technical information, and place names.

The Microsoft's Azure Speech to Text feature is powered by deep neural network models and allows for real-time audio transcription that can be set up to handle multiple speakers.

As part of the Azure cloud service, you can run Azure Speech to Text in the cloud, on premises, or in edge computing. In terms of pricing, you can run the feature in a free container with a single concurrent request for up to 5 hours of free audio per month.

Read our full Microsoft Azure Speech to Text review .

9. IBM Watson Speech to Text

IBM's Watson Speech to Text works is the third cloud-native solution on this list, with the feature being powered by AI and machine learning as part of IBM's cloud services.

While there is the option to transcribe speech to text in real-time, there is also the option to batch convert audio files and process them through a range of language, audio frequency, and other output options.

You can also tag transcriptions with speaker labels, smart formatting, and timestamps, as well as apply global editing for technical words or phrases, acronyms, and for number use.

As with other cloud services Watson Speech to Text allows for easy deployment both in the cloud and on-premises behind your own firewall to ensure security is maintained.

Read our full Watson Speech to Text review .

1. Google Gboard

If you already have an Android mobile device, then if it's not already installed then download Google Keyboard from the Google Play store and you'll have an instant text-to-speech app. Although it's primarily designed as a keyboard for physical input, it also has a speech input option which is directly available. And because all the power of Google's hardware is behind it, it's a powerful and responsive tool.

If that's not enough then there are additional features. Aside from physical input ones such as swiping, you can also trigger images in your text using voice commands. Additionally, it can also work with Google Translate, and is advertised as providing support for over 60 languages.

Even though Google Keyboard isn't a dedicated transcription tool, as there are no shortcut commands or text editing directly integrated, it does everything you need from a basic transcription tool. And as it's a keyboard, it means should be able to work with any software you can run on your Android smartphone, so you can text edit, save, and export using that. Even better, it's free and there are no adverts to get in the way of you using it.

2. Just Press Record

If you want a dedicated dictation app, it’s worth checking out Just Press Record. It’s a mobile audio recorder that comes with features such as one tap recording, transcription and iCloud syncing across devices. The great thing is that it’s aimed at pretty much anyone and is extremely easy to use. 

When it comes to recording notes, all you have to do is press one button, and you get unlimited recording time. However, the really great thing about this app is that it also offers a powerful transcription service. 

Through it, you can quickly and easily turn speech into searchable text. Once you’ve transcribed a file, you can then edit it from within the app. There’s support for more than 30 languages as well, making it the perfect app if you’re working abroad or with an international team. Another nice feature is punctuation command recognition, ensuring that your transcriptions are free from typos.   

This app is underpinned by cloud technology, meaning you can access notes from any device (which is online). You’re able to share audio and text files to other iOS apps too, and when it comes to organizing them, you can view recordings in a comprehensive file. 

3. Speechnotes

Speechnotes is yet another easy to use dictation app. A useful touch here is that you don’t need to create an account or anything like that; you just open up the app and press on the microphone icon, and you’re off.   

The app is powered by Google voice recognition tech. When you’re recording a note, you can easily dictate punctuation marks through voice commands, or by using the built-in punctuation keyboard. 

To make things even easier, you can quickly add names, signatures, greetings and other frequently used text by using a set of custom keys on the built-in keyboard. There’s automatic capitalization as well, and every change made to a note is saved to the cloud.

When it comes to customizing notes, you can access a plethora of fonts and text sizes. The app is free to download from the Google Play Store , but you can make in-app purchases to access premium features (there's also a browser version for Chrome).   

Read our full Speechnotes review .

4. Transcribe

Marketed as a personal assistant for turning videos and voice memos into text files, Transcribe is a popular dictation app that’s powered by AI. It lets you make high quality transcriptions by just hitting a button.   

The app can transcribe any video or voice memo automatically, while supporting over 80 languages from across the world. While you can easily create notes with Transcribe, you can also import files from services such as Dropbox.

Once you’ve transcribed a file, you can export the raw text to a word processor to edit. The app is free to download, but you’ll have to make an in-app purchase if you want to make the most of these features in the long-term. There is a trial available, but it’s basically just 15 minutes of free transcription time. Transcribe is only available on iOS, though.   

5. Windows Speech Recognition

If you don’t want to pay for speech recognition software, and you’re running Microsoft’s latest desktop OS, then you might be pleased to hear that speech-to-text is built into Windows.

Windows Speech Recognition, as it’s imaginatively named – and note that this is something different to Cortana, which offers basic commands and assistant capabilities – lets you not only execute commands via voice control, but also offers the ability to dictate into documents.

The sort of accuracy you get isn’t comparable with that offered by the likes of Dragon, but then again, you’re paying nothing to use it. It’s also possible to improve the accuracy by training the system by reading text, and giving it access to your documents to better learn your vocabulary. It’s definitely worth indulging in some training, particularly if you intend to use the voice recognition feature a fair bit.

The company has been busy boasting about its advances in terms of voice recognition powered by deep neural networks, especially since windows 10 and now for Windows 11 , and Microsoft is certainly priming us to expect impressive things in the future. The likely end-goal aim is for Cortana to do everything eventually, from voice commands to taking dictation.

Turn on Windows Speech Recognition by heading to the Control Panel (search for it, or right click the Start button and select it), then click on Ease of Access, and you will see the option to ‘start speech recognition’ (you’ll also spot the option to set up a microphone here, if you haven’t already done that).

Aside from what has already been covered above, there are an increasing number of apps available across all mobile devices for working with speech to text, not least because Google's speech recognition technology is available for use. 

iTranslate Translator  is a speech-to-text app for iOS with a difference, in that it focuses on translating voice languages. Not only does it aim to translate different languages you hear into text for your own language, it also works to translate images such as photos you might take of signs in a foreign country and get a translation for them. In that way, iTranslate is a very different app, that takes the idea of speech-to-text in a novel direction, and by all accounts, does it well. 

ListNote Speech-to-Text Notes  is another speech-to-text app that uses Google's speech recognition software, but this time does a more comprehensive job of integrating it with a note-taking program than many other apps. The text notes you record are searchable, and you can import/export with other text applications. Additionally there is a password protection option, which encrypts notes after the first 20 characters so that the beginning of the notes are searchable by you. There's also an organizer feature for your notes, using category or assigned color. The app is free on Android, but includes ads.

Voice Notes  is a simple app that aims to convert speech to text for making notes. This is refreshing, as it mixes Google's speech recognition technology with a simple note-taking app, so there are more features to play with here. You can categorize notes, set reminders, and import/export text accordingly.

SpeechTexter  is another speech-to-text app that aims to do more than just record your voice to a text file. This app is built specifically to work with social media, so that rather than sending messages, emails, Tweets, and similar, you can record your voice directly to the social media sites and send. There are also a number of language packs you can download for offline working if you want to use more than just English, which is handy.

Also consider reading these related software and app guides:

• Best text-to-speech software
• Best transcription services
• Best Bluetooth headsets

Which speech-to-text app is best for you?

When deciding which speech-to-text app to use, first consider what your actual needs are, as free and budget  options may only provide basic features, so if you need to use advanced tools you may find a paid-for platform is better suited to you. Additionally, higher-end software can usually cater for every need, so do ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require from your speech-to-text app.

To test for the best speech-to-text apps we first set up an account with the relevant platform, then we tested the service to see how the software could be used for different purposes and in different situations. The aim was to push each speech-to-text platform to see how useful its basic tools were and also how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.

Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar .

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Brian has over 30 years publishing experience as a writer and editor across a range of computing, technology, and marketing titles. He has been interviewed multiple times for the BBC and been a speaker at international conferences. His specialty on techradar is Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, covering everything from office suites to IT service tools. He is also a science fiction and fantasy author, published as Brian G Turner.

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6 Practical Tips for Using Anthropic's Claude Chatbot

Joel Lewenstein, a head of product design at Anthropic , was recently crawling beneath his new house to adjust the irrigation system when he ran into a conundrum: The device’s knobs made no sense. Instead of scouring the internet for a product manual, he opened up the app for Anthropic’s Claude chatbot on his phone and snapped a photo. Its algorithms analyzed the image and provided more context for what each knob might do.

When I tested OpenAI’s image features for ChatGPT last year, I found it similarly useful—at least for low-stakes tasks. I’d recommend you turn to AI image analysis for identifying those random cords around your house, but not to guess the identity of a loose prescription pill.

Anthropic released the iOS app that helped out Lewenstein for all to download earlier this month. I decided to try out the Claude app, in line with a goal I’d set to experiment with a wider variety of chatbots this year. And I chatted over video with Lewenstein to see what advice he had for getting started with Claude and how to ask questions in a way that elicit the most useful answers.

Decades of Google Search dominating the web has trained us to type blunt and concise queries when we want something. To get the most out of chatbots like Claude, you need to break free from that approach. “It's not Google Search,” Lewenstein says. “So you're not putting in three keywords—you're really having a conversation with it.” He encourages users to avoid an overly utilitarian communication style and to get a little more verbose with their prompts . Instead of a short phrase, try writing prompts that are a few sentences long or even a couple of paragraphs.

Share Photos

AI image analysis is still fairly new for Anthropic’s chatbot —it was released in March—but it can provide a powerful way to quickly pose questions to the chatbot. Lewenstein recommends using images as a launching point for conversations with Claude, like he did under his house. Although the feature may not always be accurate, it’s useful—and fun—if you keep the limitations in mind and look for opportunities where an image can address your query.

Still not getting the outputs you’d like? A solid troubleshooting technique is to be overly prescriptive in your prompts. “Just talking to Claude like a person actually leads you a little bit astray,” Lewenstein says. Instead, try giving Claude an almost awkward amount of context about how you’d like the answer formatted—for example, by saying they should be in bullet points or short paragraphs, and give it clear direction on the tone it should use. Do you want lyrical answers or something that sounds more technical? Also, consider telling Claude who the intended audience is and what their level of knowledge about the topic may be.

Try, Try Again

If your initial query to Claude doesn’t produce a good result, keep in mind that your first ask is just the starting point. Follow-up prompts and clarifying questions are critical to steering a chatbot in the right direction.

When interacting with any chatbot, I’m quick to start a new conversation thread if the output goes awry, so I can try a different opening prompt. This isn’t the best approach, Lewenstein says.

He suggests staying in that same chat window and providing direct feedback to the bot about what you’d like done differently, from tone to structure. “I literally just type, ‘No, too complicated. I don't understand what these words mean. Can you try again, but simplify it one level more,” say Lewenstein, referencing a time when Claude's summary of a document was confusing.

Upload Big Docs

Speaking of documents, Claude’s ability to analyze uploaded data is one of its strengths. The applications for this are more apparent for workplace use cases, where the chatbot can help with Excel spreadsheets and overflowing email inboxes, but it can be a useful feature outside the office too. If you upload batches of text, Claude can spot trends you might not have otherwise noticed. Ask the chatbot to look for patterns in language use or the topics covered. Got a PDF that you need to read but is so long that your eyes glaze over? Claude can help focus your attention on the most important aspect of the document first.

I uploaded the text transcript of my conversation with Lewenstein to Claude and asked what quotes it would highlight as important. The chatbot did an impeccable job of capturing the conversation’s key themes, and it flagged many of the quotes that I ultimately decided to pull for this newsletter. (Anthropic’s policies mean that, unless you opt in , your input data is unlikely to be used to train its AI models.)

Text Like You’re Friends

Yes, you should play around with writing longer and more specific prompts to Claude, but it’s also smart to approach conversations with chatbots as a back-and-forth volley of messages. “I actually find the mobile app to be a really natural form factor for it, because you chat with people all the time on your phone,” says Lewenstein.

When I uploaded a photo of a robot mural I saw in a cool San Francisco bar to the Claude app, the chatbot provided a poetic description of the art. It wasn’t able to guess which city the bar was located in, an almost impossible task, but the conversation’s cadence did feel like messaging an eager friend. Claude thanked me when I finally revealed the bar’s location: “My assumptions were delightfully upended.”

I need to use it more to really get the hang of Claude, but I already feel like the chatbot’s outputs have a friendly flair. Although ChatGPT is still my go-to chatbot, I could see myself adding Claude to the mix when I’m wanting to message with an AI tool that prioritizes engaging, human-sounding outputs over a more dry, efficient style of communication. It’s important to remain open to using AI tools that you haven’t tried before. Chatbots continue to improve and change rapidly, so it's far too early to get locked into a single tool.

Dennis Mersereau

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TikTok challenges U.S. ban in court, calling it unconstitutional

Bobby Allyn

TikTok's suit is in response to a law passed by Congress giving ByteDance up to a year to divest from TikTok and find a new buyer, or face a nationwide ban. Kiichiro Sato/AP hide caption

TikTok's suit is in response to a law passed by Congress giving ByteDance up to a year to divest from TikTok and find a new buyer, or face a nationwide ban.

TikTok and its parent company on Tuesday filed a legal challenge against the United States over a law that President Biden signed last month outlawing the app nationwide unless it finds a buyer within a year.

In the petition filed in the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the company said the legislation exceeds the bounds of the constitution and suppresses the speech of millions of Americans.

"Banning TikTok is so obviously unconstitutional, in fact, that even the Act's sponsors recognized that reality, and therefore have tried mightily to depict the law not as a ban at all, but merely a regulation of TikTok's ownership," according to the filing.

The law, passed through Congress at lightning speed, which caught many inside TikTok off guard, is intended to force TikTok to be sold to a non-Chinese company in nine months, with the possibility of a three month extension if a possible sale is in play.

Yet lawyers for TikTok say the law offers the company a false choice, since fully divesting from its parent company, ByteDance, is "simply not possible: not commercially, not technologically, not legally," the challenge states. "And certainly not on the 270-day timeline required by the Act."

Anupam Chander, a law professor at Georgetown University who specializes in technology regulations, said if TikTok loses this legal fight, it will likely shut down in the U.S.

"The problem for TikTok is that they have a parent company that has these obligation in China, but they're trying to live by free speech rules by the United States," Chander said in an interview. "The question is whether American courts will believe that that's even possible."

TikTok says law based on "speculative and analytically flawed concerns"

Lawmakers in Washington have long been suspicious of TikTok, fearing its Chinese owner could use the popular app to spy on Americans or spread dangerous disinformation.

But in the company's legal petition, lawyers for TikTok say invoking "national security" does not give the government a free pass to violate the First Amendment, especially, TikTok, argues, when no public evidence has been presented of the Chinese government using the app as a weapon against Americans.

Possible TikTok ban could be 'an extinction-level event' for the creator economy

According to the filing, the law is based on "speculative and analytically flawed concerns about data security and content manipulation — concerns that, even if grounded in fact, could be addressed through far less restrictive and more narrowly tailored means."

New DOJ Filing: TikTok's Owner Is 'A Mouthpiece' Of Chinese Communist Party

Constitutional scholars say there are few ways for the government to restrict speech in a way that would survive a legal challenge. One of those ways is if the government can demonstrate a national security risk. Also key, legal experts say, is the government showing the speech suppression was the least restrictive option on the table.

TikTok said Congress ignored less restrictive ways of addressing the government's national security concerns.

"If Congress can do this, it can circumvent the First Amendment by invoking national security and ordering the publisher of any individual newspaper or website to sell to avoid being shut down," the filing states. "And for TikTok, any such divestiture would disconnect Americans from the rest of the global community."

Since more than 90% of TikTok's users are outside of America, Georgetown's Chander said selling the U.S.-based app to a different owner would cannibalize its own business.

"You can't really create a TikTok U.S., while having a different company manage TikTok Canada," Chander said in an interview. "What you're doing essentially is creating a rival between two TikToks," he said. " It may be better to take your marbles out of the United States and hope to make money outside of the U.S., rather than sell it at a fire-sale price."

TikTok critics call app a 'spy balloon on your phone'

The filing sets off what could be the most important battle for TikTok. It has been fending off legal challenges to its existence since former President Trump first sought to ban the app through an executive order in the summer of 2020. That effort was blocked by federal courts.

Since then, Democrats and Republicans have shown a rare moment of unity around calls to pressure TikTok to sever its ties with ByteDance, the Beijing-based tech giant that owns the video-streaming app.

Trump's Ban On TikTok Suffers Another Legal Setback

Congress has never before passed legislation that could outright ban a wildly popular social media app, a gesture the U.S. government has criticized authoritarian nations for doing.

In the case of TikTok, however, lawmakers have called the app a "spy balloon on your phone," emphasizing how the Chinese government could gain access to the personal data of U.S. citizens.

Worries also persist in Washington that Beijing could influence the views of Americans by dictating what videos are boosted on the platform. That concern has only become heightened seven months before a presidential election.

Yet the fears so far indeed remain hypothetical.

There is no publicly available example of the Chinese government attempting to use TikTok as an espionage or data collection tool. And no proof that the Chinese government has ever had a hand over what TikTok's 170 million American users see every day on the app.

TikTok says it offers U.S. a plan that would shut app down if it violated agreement

TikTok, for its part, says it has invested $2 billion on a plan, dubbed Project Texas, to separate its U.S. operation from its Chinese parent company. It deleted all of Americans' data from foreign servers and relocated all of the data to servers on U.S. soil overseen by the Austin-based tech company Oracle.

While the plan was intended to build trust with U.S. lawmakers and users, reports surfaced showing that data was still moving between staff in California and Beijing.

In the filing on Tuesday, TikTok said it submitted an agreement to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which has been probing the app for five years, that would allow the U.S. to suspend TikTok if it violated terms set forth in a national security plan.

But, lawyers for TikTok say, the deal was swept aside, "in favor of the politically expedient and punitive approach," the petition states.

Mnuchin claims he will place a bid to buy TikTok, even though app is not for sale

Despite the new law giving TikTok the ultimatum of selling or being shut down, there are many questions around how the app could even be bought by another company or group of investors.

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told NPR on Monday, he is planning to assemble a group of investors to try to purchase TikTok without the app's algorithm.

Mnuchin, who declined to answer additional questions, said in between sessions at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles that the proposal to buy the app is still in the works, but he would not say when it would be formally submitted.

One major obstacle in any possible sale of TikTok is a glaring problem: The app is not for sale.

TikTok Ban Averted: Trump Gives Oracle-Walmart Deal His 'Blessing'

Despite the new law in the U.S., ByteDance says it does not intend to let go of the service. Furthermore, winning the support of China would be necessary, and officials in Beijing are adamantly against any forced sale.

In 2020, amid the Trump administration's clamp down on the app, China added "content-recommendation algorithms" to its export-control list, effectively adding new regulations over how TikTok's all-powerful algorithm could ever be sold.

ByteDance, not TikTok, developed and controls the algorithm that determines what millions see on the app every day. The technology has become the envy of Silicon Valley, and no U.S. tech company has been able dislodge TikTok's firm hold on the short-form video market. Experts say key to its success is its highly engaging and hyper-personalized video-ranking algorithm.

The algorithm, which involves millions of lines of software code developed by thousands of engineers over many years, cannot be easily transferred to the U.S., even if China did allow it, TikTok's challenge states.

Lawyers for TikTok argue that "any severance [of the algorithm] would leave TikTok without access to the recommendation engine that has created a unique style and community that cannot be replicated on any other platform today."

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Experience the power of a professional teleprompter, right in your pocket! Write your scripts and record yourself while the text scrolls on your screen. Our app greatly simplifies your video production and speech recording process. FEATURES: • Script Writing & Recording: Write your script directly in the app and record yourself as the text smoothly scrolls on your screen. Perfect your timing and delivery without the need to memorize everything. • Script Importing: Have a pre-written script? Import your scripts directly into the app using the file picker. We support txt, rtf, html, and pdf formats. • Scroll Control: Take full control over the scrolling text's speed and size to match your pace and visibility needs. Say goodbye to adjusting to your teleprompter; now it adjusts to you. • Mirroring Options: Whether you're using a physical teleprompter setup or just your phone, you can mirror the text horizontally or vertically. • Text Captions: Jazz up your content by adding your own text captions. Style them, animate them, make them uniquely yours! • Video Mirroring: Mirror your video horizontally if you're displaying text or numbers on camera. • Add your brand logo as a watermark on top of the your exported video. • Social Media Preview: Be sure your content fits just right. Preview your videos directly on Instagram and TikTok before exporting them. The best way to contact us: [email protected] Our EULA can be found here: https://www.fadel.io/apps/terms.html

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