How to Use ReadSpeaker Text-to-Speech Tools in 2026

Quick Start

This guide covers every ReadSpeaker feature:

• Getting Started — Create your account and load the toolbar
• How to Use AI Voice Generator — Converts any text to speech with lifelike voices
• How to Use Speech Engine SAPI — Local speech engine that works without an internet connection
• How to Use Custom Text-to-Speech Voices — Creates a unique brand voice from recorded samples
• How to Use Learning Library — Personal library that stores uploaded documents and notes
• How to Use Speech Cloud API — Developer API for adding audio to any product
• How to Use Synchronized Highlighting — Highlights every word and sentence as it is spoken
• How to Use Reading Ruler — Page mask that isolates one line at a time
• How to Use Text Mode — Plain text view free of ads and sidebars
• How to Use Dictionary and Translation — Word lookup plus language translation in 50+ languages

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I have used ReadSpeaker for eight months across a college site and a personal blog.

Every step here comes from real hands on testing, not vendor screenshots.

ReadSpeaker is a text to speech service that reads web content out loud.

Most people press play once and never open the settings.

That is a shame, because the reading tools underneath are the useful part.

This guide on how to use ReadSpeaker walks through every feature, step by step.

ReadSpeaker Tutorial

This How to Use ReadSpeaker tutorial covers setup, the toolbar, TextAid, and the details most users miss.

ReadSpeaker

Let every visitor listen instead of read. ReadSpeaker adds a listen button to your website and reads the page aloud in over 50 languages. No download, no plugin, works on any internet connected device.

TRY READSPEAKER NOW →

READ FULL REVIEW →

READSPEAKER ALTERNATIVES →

Getting Started with ReadSpeaker

Before touching any feature, get access sorted.

It takes about three minutes.

Here is my walkthrough of the setup:

The video shows the first login. Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to the ReadSpeaker website and click Contact or Start Free Trial.

Enter your email and set a password.

✓ Checkpoint: A confirmation email lands in your inbox.

Step 2: Log In and Find the Icon

Log in from any browser on an internet connected device.

In Blackboard, the ReadSpeaker icon appears at the lower left corner of the course window.

Here is what that looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The speaker icon is visible on the page.

Step 3: Activate the Toolbar

Simply click the icon to launch the floating toolbar.

Drag the horizontal bar to a convenient spot on your screen.

The control panel lets you pause, stop, rewind, and adjust the volume.

How to Use ReadSpeaker AI Voice Generator

AI Voice Generator lets you turn any written passage into natural speech in seconds.

The AI Voice Generator is the engine behind every listen button on your site.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Voice Generator

Log in to your account and open the AI Voice Generator from the main menu.

The tool loads in your browser with no download required.

Step 2: Paste Your Text and Pick a Voice

Paste a paragraph into the editor, then choose your reading language from the dropdown.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: A waveform appears with a play button beside it.

Step 3: Generate and Download the Audio

Hit generate, then save the audio file or copy the embed link.

How to Use ReadSpeaker Speech Engine SAPI

Speech Engine SAPI lets you run text to speech directly on your own computer, offline.

Speech Engine SAPI installs on a computer instead of running through a website.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Download the Installer

Request the SAPI package from your account manager, then download it to your machine.

Windows users get a standard installer file.

Step 2: Install and Select Voices

Run the installer and tick the voices you want during setup.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your chosen voice appears in the Windows speech settings panel.

Step 3: Test From Any Application

Open Notepad, highlight a sentence, and trigger read aloud from the system tray.

How to Use ReadSpeaker Custom Text-to-Speech Voices

Custom Text-to-Speech Voices lets you build a branded voice that sounds like your own presenter.

Custom voices let a brand keep one consistent sound across every channel.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Book a Voice Consultation

Contact the team and describe the tone and reading language you need.

Step 2: Record the Source Script

Your voice talent records the supplied script in a quiet studio.

Cleaner audio produces a cleaner model.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your custom voice shows up in the voice dropdown menu.

Step 3: Review and Approve the Model

Listen to the sample clips, then approve the voice for production.

How to Use ReadSpeaker Learning Library

Learning Library lets you store documents you want to revisit inside one personal library.

The personal library is where saved reading material lives inside TextAid.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open Your TextAid Account

Log in to your TextAid account and click the library tab.

Step 2: Upload Your Documents

Drag PDFs, Word files, or images into the upload area and wait for processing.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your uploaded documents are listed with a thumbnail and a file name.

Step 3: Open a File and Listen

Click any saved file, then press play to hear it read back to you.

How to Use ReadSpeaker Speech Cloud API

Speech Cloud API lets you add speech to your own app with a few lines of code.

The Speech Cloud API is the developer route into the same speech engine.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Request Your API Key

Sign in to the developer portal and generate a key for your project.

Step 2: Send Your First Request

Post your text and chosen voice to the endpoint using the JavaScript parameters supplied.

Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines while you build.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The response returns a playable audio stream, not an error code.

Step 3: Handle the Audio Response

Stream the returned audio or cache it on your own server.

How to Use ReadSpeaker Synchronized Highlighter

Synchronized Highlighting lets you follow each word visually while the audio plays.

Text highlighting moves with the voice so your eyes never lose the line.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Start the Reader

Simply click the listen button at the top of any web page.

Step 2: Open the Settings Menu

Click the gear icon on the toolbar to reach the highlighting controls.

Choose whether a word, a sentence, or a paragraph gets marked.

✓ Checkpoint: Each spoken word lights up as the audio moves forward.

Step 3: Pick Your Text Color

Set the text color and background shade that is easiest on your eyes.

How to Use ReadSpeaker Reading Ruler

Reading Ruler lets you block out clutter with a movable horizontal bar.

The page mask tool is a horizontal bar that dims everything except your current line.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Activate the Toolbar

Click the speaker icon to launch the floating toolbar on your screen.

Step 2: Turn On the Page Mask

Select the page mask icon from the toolbar to dim the rest of the screen.

Drag the toolbar to a convenient spot if it covers your text.

✓ Checkpoint: Only a narrow band of web content stays bright on the page.

Step 3: Adjust the Mask Height

Drag the edge of the mask until it frames one comfortable line.

How to Use ReadSpeaker Text Mode

Text Mode lets you read a stripped back version of any cluttered article.

Text mode rebuilds the current page as clean plain text with no design noise.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Toolbar

Activate the ReadSpeaker webReader toolbar on the page you want to read.

Step 2: Switch to Text Mode

Click the text mode icon and the article reopens in a pop up window.

Images and navigation links are removed automatically.

✓ Checkpoint: The article appears as plain paragraphs on a clean background.

Step 3: Enlarge Text as Needed

Use the plus control to enlarge text until it is comfortable.

How to Use ReadSpeaker Dictionary and Translation

Dictionary and Translation lets you look up any unfamiliar word and hear it in another language.

Language translation and word lookup share the same pop up menu.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Highlight the Selected Text

Drag your cursor across the word or phrase you do not recognise.

Step 2: Choose Translate or Look Up

Pick Translate from the pop up menu to switch languages, or Look Up for a definition.

Word Lookup returns details on meaning and pronunciation.

✓ Checkpoint: A small panel shows the definition or the translated sentence.

Step 3: Listen to the Result

Press play to hear the translated text read back in the new voice.

ReadSpeaker Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After eight months of daily use, these are the shortcuts I actually keep using.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Note that shortcut keys can differ slightly by browser and by site setup.

Here are the benefits I lean on most:

Hidden Features Most People Miss

• Reading speed slider: Drag the reading speed slider in settings until the voice matches how fast you think.
• Spell check and writing help: ReadSpeaker includes a spell check tool and writing assistance, so you can focus on your thoughts.
• Form Reading: Enable it for fill-in-the-blank questions and quizzes, which the standard reader skips.
• Automatic scrolling: Toggle automatic scrolling and the pop up menu on or off in other settings.
• Simple View: Switch to Simple View to see content in plain text format, free of surrounding clutter.

ReadSpeaker Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Never leaving the default settings

Mistake #2: Reading the whole page when you only need one part

Mistake #3: Treating it as an audio player only

ReadSpeaker Troubleshooting

Problem: The listen button does not appear

Cause: The script has not loaded, often because of an ad blocker or a caching plugin.

Fix: Disable the blocker for that website, clear the cache, and reload the current page.

Problem: Audio plays but no words are highlighted

Cause: Text highlighting is switched off, or the page uses markup the reader cannot map.

Fix: Open settings, turn highlighting back on, and pick a stronger text color.

Problem: Uploaded documents will not open

Cause: The file is a scanned image, so there is no text layer to read.

Fix: Look for the Open with docReader button below the file preview, then re-upload a text based file.

📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact ReadSpeaker support.

What is ReadSpeaker?

ReadSpeaker is a text to speech tool that reads any web page aloud.

Think of it like a narrator that follows a reader around your website.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

• AI Voice Generator: Converts any text to speech with lifelike voices
• Speech Engine SAPI: Local speech engine that works without an internet connection
• Custom Text-to-Speech Voices: Creates a unique brand voice from recorded samples
• Learning Library: Personal library that stores uploaded documents and notes
• Speech Cloud API: Developer API for adding audio to any product
• Synchronized Highlighting: Highlights every word and sentence as it is spoken
• Reading Ruler: Page mask that isolates one line at a time
• Text Mode: Plain text view free of ads and sidebars
• Dictionary and Translation: Word lookup plus language translation in 50+ languages

ReadSpeaker supports employees with reading difficulties and anyone learning in a second language.

The TextAid tool integrates into all major learning management systems as an LTI tool.

That bimodal presentation of content works well for struggling learners and second-language students.

For a full review, see our ReadSpeaker review.

ReadSpeaker Pricing

Here is what ReadSpeaker costs in 2026:

ReadSpeaker has a custom pricing model for everyone. Contact them to get a custom quote.

Free trial: Yes, available on request through the sales team.

Money-back guarantee: Not published. Terms are agreed inside your contract.

Here is the pricing page as it stands:

💰 Best Value: Custom Pricing — you only pay for the traffic and tools you actually use.

ReadSpeaker vs Alternatives

How does ReadSpeaker compare? Here is the competitive landscape:

Quick picks:

• Best overall: ReadSpeaker — the only one built around reading a live website.
• Best budget: NaturalReader — cheap and simple for one user.
• Best for beginners: Speechify — install, point your phone, and listen.
• Best for voice quality: ElevenLabs — still the most human sounding speech.

🎯 ReadSpeaker Alternatives

Looking for ReadSpeaker alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🧠 Hume: Reads emotional tone from your script and adjusts delivery to match it.
• 🎨 Murf: Studio style editor with 120+ voices and simple timing controls for video work.
• 🚀 Speechify: Mobile first reader that scans printed pages with your phone camera.
• 🔧 Descript: Edits audio by editing the transcript, which suits podcast teams.
• 🌟 ElevenLabs: Best raw voice quality right now, with strong cloning in many languages.
• ⚡ Play.ht: Fast generation and a generous voice library for marketing audio.
• 💼 Lovo: Bundles voice with a video editor, handy for training clips.
• 📊 Listnr: Turns blog posts into podcast episodes with hosting included.
• 🎯 Podcastle: Recording studio and speech tools in one browser tab.
• 💰 Dupdub: Cheap entry plans with avatars bundled into the same dashboard.
• 🏢 WellSaid Labs: Corporate narration with tight pronunciation control for e-learning.
• 🔥 Revoicer: One time payment model instead of a monthly bill.
• 👶 NaturalReader: Simplest option for a student who just wants text read aloud.
• 🎤 Altered: Voice changing and dubbing aimed at film and game audio.
• ⭐ Speechelo: Budget tool for quick voiceovers on short marketing video.
• 🔒 TTS OpenAI: Developer focused API with predictable per character pricing.

For the full list, see our ReadSpeaker alternatives guide.

⚔️ ReadSpeaker Compared

Here is how ReadSpeaker stacks up against each competitor:

• ReadSpeaker vs Hume: Hume reads emotion better; ReadSpeaker wins on website accessibility and compliance work.
• ReadSpeaker vs Murf: Murf suits video producers; ReadSpeaker suits publishers who need an on page listen button.
• ReadSpeaker vs Speechify: Speechify is better on mobile; ReadSpeaker is better for institution wide rollouts.
• ReadSpeaker vs Descript: Descript edits recorded audio; ReadSpeaker generates speech from live web content.
• ReadSpeaker vs ElevenLabs: ElevenLabs sounds more human; ReadSpeaker ships a full toolbar and reading tools.
• ReadSpeaker vs Play.ht: Play.ht is faster to trial; ReadSpeaker offers deeper LMS integration.
• ReadSpeaker vs Lovo: Lovo bundles video editing; ReadSpeaker focuses purely on reading support.
• ReadSpeaker vs Listnr: Listnr targets podcasters; ReadSpeaker targets schools, agencies, and publishers.
• ReadSpeaker vs Podcastle: Podcastle is a recording studio; ReadSpeaker is an accessibility layer for your website.
• ReadSpeaker vs Dupdub: Dupdub is cheaper upfront; ReadSpeaker gives better support for large deployments.
• ReadSpeaker vs WellSaid Labs: WellSaid excels at scripted narration; ReadSpeaker excels at reading pages nobody scripted.
• ReadSpeaker vs Revoicer: Revoicer costs less long term; ReadSpeaker offers translation and study tools it lacks.
• ReadSpeaker vs NaturalReader: NaturalReader is easier for one user; ReadSpeaker scales across a whole campus.
• ReadSpeaker vs Altered: Altered is built for media production; ReadSpeaker is built for readers.
• ReadSpeaker vs Speechelo: Speechelo is cheaper; ReadSpeaker sounds better and supports far more languages.
• ReadSpeaker vs TTS OpenAI: TTS OpenAI needs developers; ReadSpeaker works out of the box for non technical teams.

Start Using ReadSpeaker Now

You learned how to use every major ReadSpeaker feature:

• ✅ AI Voice Generator
• ✅ Speech Engine SAPI
• ✅ Custom Text-to-Speech Voices
• ✅ Learning Library
• ✅ Speech Cloud API
• ✅ Synchronized Highlighting
• ✅ Reading Ruler
• ✅ Text Mode
• ✅ Dictionary and Translation

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most people start with the AI Voice Generator.

It takes less than five minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a ReadSpeaker work?

It reads the text on a page and converts it to speech in your browser. Click the listen button and the audio starts, with text highlighting following along.

How to use ReadSpeaker in Canvas?

ReadSpeaker TextAid is added to Canvas as an LTI tool. Open any course item, click the ReadSpeaker icon, and the toolbar loads with no download needed.

How do I get my screen to read aloud?

Activate the toolbar on the web page, then press play. To hear only part of the page, highlight the selected text and click the speaker icon that appears.

How do I activate read aloud?

Simply click the listen button near the top of the page. On uploaded files, use the Open with docReader button beside the file preview instead.

Is ReadSpeaker free?

No. ReadSpeaker uses custom pricing for every customer. Contact the team for a quote based on your traffic, user count, and the tools you need.