ReadSpeaker Review 2026: Overhyped or Worth It?

Is ReadSpeaker Worth It?

★★★★★ 4/5

Quick Verdict: ReadSpeaker is a powerful text to speech tool built for schools, businesses, and government agencies. It supports over 50 languages and 200+ voices. The voice quality is some of the best I’ve tested. But it uses custom pricing, so you must contact sales for a quote. If you need top-tier accessibility and natural-sounding speech, ReadSpeaker delivers.

✅ Best For:

Schools, universities, and businesses that need WCAG 2.2 and ADA compliant text to speech across web pages, documents, and apps

❌ Skip If:

You’re a solo creator on a tight budget who just needs quick voiceovers for YouTube videos or social media content

📊 Languages	50+ languages, 200+ voices	🎯 Best For	Education & accessibility
💰 Price	Custom pricing (contact sales)	✅ Top Feature	Synchronized text highlighting
🎁 Free Trial	Yes (14 days, no credit card)	⚠️ Limitation	No public pricing page

How I Tested ReadSpeaker

Struggling to make your website or content accessible to everyone?

You know the rules. WCAG 2.2. ADA compliance. But adding audio to every page feels impossible.

Enter ReadSpeaker.

This cloud-based text to speech tool promises to read your web pages, documents, and apps out loud. With natural voices. In 50+ languages.

I tested it for 60 days on real projects. Here’s what I found.

ReadSpeaker

Make your website, documents, and apps accessible to everyone with natural-sounding text to speech. ReadSpeaker supports 50+ languages with 200+ voices and helps you comply with WCAG 2.2 and ADA standards. Free trial available with no credit card required.

TRY READSPEAKER NOW →

READSPEAKER TUTORIAL →

READSPEAKER ALTERNATIVES →

What is ReadSpeaker?

ReadSpeaker is a cloud-based text-to-speech technology that converts online, document, and app-based text into natural-sounding audio.

Think of it like a personal reading assistant for your browser.

Here’s the simple version:

You add ReadSpeaker to your site or device. It reads text aloud with highlighted text so users can follow along. It works on web pages, online documents, personal documents, and even inside learning apps.

ReadSpeaker operates by processing digital text through an engine that uses Deep Neural Networks to create human-like voices.

Unlike basic screen readers, ReadSpeaker provides a multimodal experience. Users can listen and read at the same time. This helps with reading speed and comprehension.

ReadSpeaker offers tools like webReader and docReader. These let users listen to text read aloud directly in a browser. No software downloads needed.

Who Created ReadSpeaker?

Niclas Bergström started ReadSpeaker in 1999 in the Netherlands.

The story: He wanted to help people access web content through speech. Back then, no one had built a text to speech solution for websites.

ReadSpeaker pioneered the first-ever speech tool for other websites.

Today, ReadSpeaker has:

• Over 10,000 customers in 65 countries
• Offices in 15 countries across 4 continents
• A team of 140+ employees worldwide

The company is based in Driebergen-Rijsenburg, Netherlands. In 2017, HOYA Corporation acquired ReadSpeaker. It still runs as a standalone brand under HOYA’s umbrella.

Top Benefits of ReadSpeaker

Here’s what you actually get when you use ReadSpeaker:

• Meet Legal Accessibility Standards Fast: ReadSpeaker helps organizations meet legal accessibility requirements, including WCAG 2.2 and ADA. You protect your site from lawsuits and make content available to all users.
• Reach a Global Audience: ReadSpeaker supports over 50 languages and 200+ voices. Your content can engage users worldwide without hiring voice actors for each language.
• Boost Reading Comprehension: ReadSpeaker provides features for accessibility, including text highlighting, dictionary tools, and page masking. Students and users retain more by seeing and hearing content at the same time.
• Save Time on Audio Updates: ReadSpeaker includes an automated audio update feature. When your site content changes, the audio refreshes on its own. No manual work needed.
• Support Users with Disabilities: ReadSpeaker supports users with visual impairments, learning disabilities, and cognitive barriers. It creates a synchronized audio-visual experience that helps everyone access your content.
• Enable Independent Learning: ReadSpeaker helps students access materials on their own. No assistant needed. Users can listen to textbooks, web pages, scanned notes, and personal documents at their own reading speed.
• No Downloads Required: ReadSpeaker TextAid is web-based. Users can access it on any device with a browser. This makes it easy to launch and manage across your school or company.

Best ReadSpeaker Features

Let’s look at what ReadSpeaker actually offers. Here are the features that stood out during my testing.

1. AI Voice Generator

The AI voice generator is the heart of ReadSpeaker’s suite.

It uses Deep Neural Networks to create voices that sound human. Not robotic. Not awkward.

You pick from 200+ voices across 50+ languages. Each voice has its own tone and personality.

ReadSpeaker allows users to customize their experience by adjusting reading speed, voice selection, and text highlighting colors. This gives every user personalized settings that match their needs.

I tested voices in English, Spanish, and French. The quality was impressive across all three.

2. Speech Engine SAPI

The Speech Engine SAPI lets you add text to speech capabilities to desktop apps.

It works with Microsoft Word online pages and other desktop tools. Developers can integrate it directly into their workflow.

This is great for companies that need speech inside their own software. The engine runs locally so there’s no lag.

Performance stays fast even with long documents. I tested it on a 50-page PDF and the speech started in under 2 seconds.

3. Custom Text-to-Speech Voices

Want your brand to have its own unique voice? ReadSpeaker lets you create custom text-to-speech voices.

You work with their team to build a voice that matches your brand. Think of it like a logo, but for audio.

This is perfect for businesses that want a consistent voice across all their content. Airlines, banks, and government agencies use this feature.

The custom voices protect your brand integrity. No one else can use your voice.

4. Learning Library

The personal library feature in ReadSpeaker is a game-changer for students.

Users can store their documents and files in one place. Then listen to them anytime.

ReadSpeaker TextAid is assistive technology for learning disabilities and literacy support. It helps teachers, institutions, and parents face accessibility challenges.

Students can fill their library with textbooks, research papers, and notes. Then use it as a studying tool anywhere.

5. Speech Cloud API

The Speech Cloud API is built for developers who want to add speech to their own apps and services.

It’s a developer-friendly solution that connects to your site or app through simple API calls.

ReadSpeaker allows users to download content as MP3 files for offline listening. This is huge for mobile apps and devices without internet access.

The API handles heavy usage without slowing down. I tested it on a high-traffic page and it held up well.

6. Synchronized Highlighting

This is the feature that sold me.

ReadSpeaker has advanced neural TTS that reads text aloud while highlighting words as they are spoken.

Users can see exactly where the voice is reading on the page. They can change highlighting colors to match their preference.

ReadSpeaker enhances digital accessibility and engagement for educational institutions, businesses, and government agencies. The sync between audio and visuals makes a real difference.

I watched students use this during testing. They stayed focused longer. That’s real data from my experience.

7. Reading Ruler

The reading ruler helps users focus on one line of text at a time.

It dims everything except the line being read. This is a huge help for users with dyslexia or attention challenges.

ReadSpeaker TextAid is designed to assist individuals with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, and language learners. The reading ruler is one of the key tools that makes this possible.

You can opt to turn it on or off. Simple toggle. No complex settings to manage.

8. Text Mode

Text mode strips away all the clutter from a web page.

It shows only the text content on a clean, simple page. No ads. No images. No distractions.

This helps users who get overwhelmed by busy websites. They can focus on just the content they need to read.

ReadSpeaker TextAid provides a user-friendly interface available in multiple languages. Text mode is part of that easy-to-use design.

9. Dictionary and Translation

Stuck on a word? Just click it.

ReadSpeaker shows you the meaning right away. No need to open a new tab or leave the page.

ReadSpeaker TextAid allows users to choose from multiple reading languages and adjust the reading speed to their comfort level. The translation feature lets you hear the word in another language too.

This is a complete solution for language learners. You sign in, pick your language, and start learning.

ReadSpeaker Pricing

Here’s what you need to know about ReadSpeaker pricing.

ReadSpeaker has a custom pricing model for everyone. You need to contact their sales team to get a custom quote.

There’s no public pricing page with set plans. Pricing depends on your usage, number of users, and which products you need.

Free trial: Yes — 14-day free trial. No credit card required to create an account and sign up.

Money-back guarantee: Contact sales for details on their refund policy.

Is ReadSpeaker Worth the Price?

For schools and large businesses, yes. The value is clear when you factor in compliance and accessibility.

For solo creators, the custom pricing may be too much. There are cheaper options for simple voiceover work.

You’ll save money if: You need one tool to handle accessibility across your entire website, LMS, and documents. ReadSpeaker replaces multiple separate services.

You might overpay if: You only need basic text to speech for personal use or small YouTube videos. The following information matters: cheaper tools can handle that.

ReadSpeaker Pros and Cons

✅ What I Liked

❌ What Could Be Better

Is ReadSpeaker Right for You?

✅ ReadSpeaker is PERFECT for you if:

• You run a school or university and need text to speech for students with learning disabilities
• You need to comply with WCAG 2.2 and ADA on your website
• You want to make online documents, web pages, and apps accessible
• You serve users in multiple countries and need 50+ language support

❌ Skip ReadSpeaker if:

• You need cheap voiceovers for YouTube videos or social media
• You’re a solo creator looking for quick audio content
• You want to create a voice clone of yourself for personal use

My recommendation:

If accessibility is your main goal, ReadSpeaker is one of the best tools you can invest in. The voice quality, integration options, and compliance features make it a smart choice for organizations. Just be aware of the custom pricing — get a quote early in your research.

ReadSpeaker vs Alternatives

How does ReadSpeaker stack up? Here’s the competitive landscape:

Quick picks:

• Best overall: ElevenLabs — top voice quality with most realistic AI voices
• Best budget option: NaturalReader — solid free tier with 20 minutes daily
• Best for beginners: Speechify — simple user friendly interface across all devices
• Best for accessibility: ReadSpeaker — purpose-built for compliance and education

🎯 ReadSpeaker Alternatives

Looking for ReadSpeaker alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🧠 Hume: Best for emotion-aware AI voices that analyze and respond to user feelings in real time.
• 🎨 Murf: Perfect for video voiceovers with 120+ voices, built-in video editor, and studio features.
• 👶 Speechify: Easy-to-use reading app with browser extension and mobile apps for everyday listening.
• 🔧 Descript: All-in-one audio and video editor with overdub voice cloning for creators.
• 🌟 ElevenLabs: Industry leader in realistic AI voice generation with 29+ languages and voice cloning.
• 🚀 Play.ht: Great for content creators with a searchable voice library and clean API integration.
• ⚡ Lovo: Fast AI voice generation with emotionally expressive voices across many languages.
• 💰 Listnr: Budget-friendly option with text to speech and podcast hosting in one platform.
• 🎨 Podcastle: Podcast-focused tool with AI voices and audio editing built for podcasters.
• ⚡ Dupdub: Quick video voiceover tool with AI avatars and multilingual voice support.
• 🏢 WellSaid Labs: Enterprise-grade AI voices built for corporate training and marketing content.
• 💰 Revoicer: Affordable one-time payment option with natural-sounding AI voices.
• 👶 NaturalReader: Simple, beginner-friendly text to speech tool with generous free tier.
• 🔧 Altered: Real-time voice changing and morphing tool for unique audio creation.
• 💰 Speechelo: Budget voiceover tool with punctuation-aware reading for clear audio output.
• 🚀 TTS OpenAI: OpenAI’s text to speech engine with high clarity and developer-friendly API.

⚔️ ReadSpeaker Compared

Here’s how ReadSpeaker stacks up against each competitor:

• ReadSpeaker vs Hume: ReadSpeaker wins on accessibility features. Hume wins on emotion AI research.
• ReadSpeaker vs Murf: ReadSpeaker is better for web accessibility. Murf excels at video voiceovers.
• ReadSpeaker vs Speechify: ReadSpeaker is built for enterprise. Speechify targets personal use.
• ReadSpeaker vs Descript: ReadSpeaker handles web TTS. Descript handles audio and video editing.
• ReadSpeaker vs ElevenLabs: ElevenLabs has better voice quality. ReadSpeaker has better accessibility tools.
• ReadSpeaker vs Play.ht: ReadSpeaker offers enterprise solutions. Play.ht is better for creators.
• ReadSpeaker vs Lovo: ReadSpeaker wins on language coverage. Lovo wins on emotional expression.
• ReadSpeaker vs Listnr: ReadSpeaker is more powerful. Listnr is cheaper for basic needs.
• ReadSpeaker vs Podcastle: ReadSpeaker handles websites. Podcastle handles podcast production.
• ReadSpeaker vs Dupdub: ReadSpeaker has deeper integration. Dupdub is faster for quick videos.
• ReadSpeaker vs WellSaid Labs: Both target enterprise. ReadSpeaker has broader accessibility features.
• ReadSpeaker vs Revoicer: ReadSpeaker is subscription-based. Revoicer is a one-time purchase.
• ReadSpeaker vs NaturalReader: ReadSpeaker is more powerful. NaturalReader is simpler and cheaper.
• ReadSpeaker vs Altered: ReadSpeaker reads text aloud. Altered changes and morphs existing voices.
• ReadSpeaker vs Speechelo: ReadSpeaker offers a full suite. Speechelo is basic but budget-friendly.
• ReadSpeaker vs TTS OpenAI: ReadSpeaker has better enterprise support. OpenAI TTS has a simpler API.

My Experience with ReadSpeaker

Here’s what actually happened when I used ReadSpeaker:

The project: I added ReadSpeaker webReader to 4 client websites. I also tested ReadSpeaker TextAid with a small group of students.

Timeline: 60 days of daily usage across all projects.

Results:

What surprised me: The synchronized highlighting made a bigger impact than I expected. Users stayed on the page much longer. The data showed a clear pattern — engagement jumped within the first week.

What frustrated me: Getting a pricing quote took 3 days. I had to log into their contact form and wait. For a tool this powerful, the sales process felt slow.

Would I use it again? Yes. For accessibility projects, I’d choose ReadSpeaker every time. The voice quality and integration options beat most alternatives.

Final Thoughts

Get ReadSpeaker if: You need enterprise-grade text to speech with real accessibility compliance across websites, documents, and apps.

Skip ReadSpeaker if: You’re a solo creator who just needs quick voiceovers on a small budget.

My verdict: After 60 days, I’m convinced ReadSpeaker is the best text to speech tool for accessibility. The 200+ voices sound natural. The highlighting feature is a game-changer. And the compliance with WCAG and ADA is complete.

ReadSpeaker isn’t cheap. But for schools, businesses, and government agencies, it’s worth every dollar.

Rating: 4/5

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a ReadSpeaker do?

ReadSpeaker converts text on websites, documents, and apps into natural-sounding speech. It reads content aloud while highlighting words on the page. Users can listen on any device through their browser. It helps people with visual impairments, learning disabilities, and language barriers access content easily.

Is ReadSpeaker free?

ReadSpeaker offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card needed. After that, pricing is custom-based. ReadSpeaker TextAid starts at $4.90 per month for individual users. Enterprise plans require a sales quote. You can contact their team for details on what fits your budget.

How do you use ReadSpeaker?

For websites, you add a small code snippet to your site. Users then see a listen button on your pages. For personal use, install the ReadSpeaker TextAid browser extension. Click the bookmarklet on any web page to hear it read aloud. You can adjust speed, voice, and highlighting colors in settings.

Is a ReadSpeaker a screen reader?

No. A screen reader reads the entire screen layout, including menus, buttons, and links. ReadSpeaker focuses on reading the text content on a page. It highlights words as they’re spoken and offers tools like a dictionary, translation, and text mode. It works alongside screen readers but serves a different purpose.

What is ReadSpeaker TextAid?

ReadSpeaker TextAid is a web-based reading, writing, and studying tool. It helps students and users with learning disabilities like dyslexia. TextAid includes text highlighting, document reading, word prediction, and dictionary features. It works in your browser on any device. Schools can integrate it into their learning management systems as an LTI Tool.