Is Speechify Worth $139/Year in 2026? My Take

Is Speechify Worth It?

★★★★★ 4.2/5

Quick Verdict: Speechify is a powerful text to speech app that turns any written text into spoken words. After 90 days of testing, I found the HD voices impressive and the app’s ability to read PDF files a real time-saver. But at $139/year, it’s pricey. The free version has limited features. If you read a lot of digital content, it’s worth every penny. If you just need basic text to speech, free tools may work fine.

✅ Best For:

Students, auditory learners, and people with reading disabilities like dyslexia or ADHD who need to convert text to audio daily.

❌ Skip If:

You need professional voiceover creation or only use text to speech a few times per week. The free plan may cover your needs.

📊 Users	50M+ worldwide	🎯 Best For	Students & professionals
💰 Price	$11.58/month (annual)	✅ Top Feature	Natural sounding AI voices
🎁 Free Trial	3-day free trial	⚠️ Limitation	150K word limit on premium voices

How I Tested Speechify

Struggling to keep up with your reading list?

You have stacks of PDF documents. Emails pile up. Academic research papers sit unread.

What if you could listen to all of it instead?

Enter Speechify.

In this Speechify review, I’ll show you exactly what happened after 90 days of real use. You’ll learn if this popular app is truly worth the cost.

Speechify

Turn any text into natural sounding audio in seconds. Speechify is the #1 audio reader in the world with over 50 million users. Try the free plan or start your 3-day free trial of Premium today.

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What is Speechify?

Speechify is a text to speech app that converts written text into spoken words.

Think of it like having someone read everything to you. Books. Emails. Web pages. Even physical books.

Here’s the simple version:

You paste text, upload a file, or scan a page. Speechify reads it out loud with natural sounding voices.

The Speechify app uses advanced AI technology to make the voices sound human. Not robotic.

It supports over 60 different languages. You can adjust the reading speed up to 900 words per minute.

Unlike older text to speech tools, Speechify text to speech uses optical character recognition to read printed text from images and photos.

The chrome extension lets you listen to any web page. The android app and iOS app work on the go.

Who Created Speechify?

Cliff Weitzman started Speechify in 2017.

The story: Cliff has dyslexia. He struggled with reading at Brown University. Speechify was originally developed as a solution for the founder’s dyslexia. He built the first version himself to keep up with class readings.

His brother Tyler Weitzman joined as co-founder and Head of AI.

Today, Speechify has:

• Over 50 million users worldwide
• More than 500,000 five-star reviews
• A 2025 Apple Design Award from WWDC

The company is based in Miami, Florida.

Top Benefits of Speechify

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

• Save Time on Reading: Speechify enhances the reading experience by allowing users to listen to text at speeds up to 900 words per minute. That’s way faster than the average reading speed. You’ll consume information faster and more efficiently.
• Multitask While Learning: Speechify allows users to multitask by listening to reading materials while doing other activities. Listen during your commute, workout, or cooking. It fits into your day to day life without extra effort.
• Better Comprehension: Hearing and reading at the same time improves comprehension substantially according to academic research. The text highlighting feature helps users follow along as the text is read aloud. This is a game changer for auditory learners.
• Accessibility for All: Speechify helps tens of thousands of people with dyslexia, ADHD, low visual acuity, anxiety, concussions, and other reading difficulties. It converts written text into spoken words, making reading more accessible for individuals with visual impairments or learning disabilities.
• Read Any Format: Speechify can read text from various formats, including PDFs, articles, and emails. You can simply upload any file or scan physical books with your phone. The OCR reader handles printed text and images with ease.
• Works Everywhere: Speechify is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and as a Chrome extension. Your Speechify library syncs across all your devices. Start listening on your phone. Continue on your laptop.
• Boost Your Productivity: The app reduces mental fatigue by allowing users to focus on understanding instead of decoding text. Speechify enhances productivity by allowing users to multitask while consuming information. It’s a valuable tool for busy people.

Best Speechify Features

Let’s look at the key features that make this versatile app stand out.

1. AI Voice Generator

The AI voice generator is the heart of Speechify. It uses advanced neural TTS technology to generate speech from text. You get over 1,000 voice options across 60 different languages.

The premium voices sound incredibly human like. They aren’t the robotic voices from old text to speech tools. Users can select from over 1,000 voices and adjust speed and pitch.

Even celebrity voices are available. The high quality voices are what set Speechify apart from the basic version of other tools.

2. AI Voice Cloning

Want to hear your own voice read your documents? Speechify offers AI voice cloning. You record a short sample. The AI recreates your voice.

This is great for content creators. You can create audio files that sound like you. Without recording everything yourself.

The cloned voices capture tone and style well. It’s not perfect. But it’s close enough for most uses.

3. AI Dubbing

Speechify supports multiple languages with AI dubbing. You can convert text to speech in a different language than the original.

This makes Speechify a versatile tool for language learners. Want to hear how a French article sounds? Just switch the voice.

The multiple languages support covers over 60 options. Quality varies by language. English voices are the strongest.

4. Scan & Listen

This feature is a game changer. Speechify uses optical character recognition technology to read printed text and images.

Point your phone camera at a book page. Speechify scans it. Then reads it out loud. You can convert physical books into audiobooks by scanning pages with a mobile device.

Users have reported that Speechify can read both handwritten and typed text using this OCR reader feature. It works best with clean printed text.

5. API Access

Developers can plug Speechify into their own apps. The API gives you access to all the AI voices and text to speech features.

This is great for businesses. Add a “listen” button to your website. Or build custom audio experiences for your users.

The API includes text highlighting and a sliding scale for speed. It also has an iOS SDK for mobile apps.

6. Customizable Reading Experience

Users can control the speed of narration in Speechify, allowing for a customizable listening experience. You set the pace from slow to 5x speed.

The customizable options include voice selection, speed, and pitch. The app provides real-time text highlighting synchronized with the audio.

Speechify’s text highlighting feature helps users follow along as the text is read aloud, improving retention. It’s perfect for studying.

7. Highlighting and Note-Taking

Speechify features active text highlighting, which syncs the text being read with the audio. This helps you follow along word by word.

Users can utilize study tools like “on-repeat” for focused learning and note extraction. It even supports basic text editing within the app. This makes it more than just a reader.

The app features AI summarization and can function as a Voice AI Assistant by 2026. You can ask questions about your uploaded files.

8. Cross-Platform Syncing

Start reading on your phone. Pick up where you left off on your laptop. Everything syncs across devices.

Speechify allows users to listen to content offline, enhancing its usability for users on the go. Download audio files for offline listening.

Speechify supports importing content via copy-paste, file uploads, web links, or scanning physical pages. Your entire Speechify library travels with you.

9. Wide Variety of Voices and Languages

Speechify supports over 60 languages, providing lifelike AI voices. You get over 1,000 natural sounding voices to choose from.

Each voice sounds different. Some are warm. Some are professional. You pick what fits your listening experience best.

The premium subscription plans unlock the best HD voices. The non HD voices in the free version sound more robotic.

Speechify Pricing

Free trial: Yes — Speechify offers a free trial for 3 days. You can test the full premium plan before paying.

Money-back guarantee: Speechify does not offer a monthly subscription or a lifetime deal. The premium subscription costs $139 per year billed annually.

📌 Note: Speechify’s pricing varies from country to country. Annual billing saves you over 60% compared to the monthly plan. The premium plan allows users to convert up to 150,000 words per month using premium voices.

Is Speechify Worth the Price?

At $139 per year, Speechify cost isn’t cheap. But here’s the thing.

If you use it daily, it breaks down to about 38 cents a day. That’s less than a cup of coffee.

Some users have criticized Speechify for its pricing, stating that it may be expensive compared to alternatives like NaturalReader. That’s fair.

You’ll save money if: You read 3+ hours of content per week and need premium voices. The time saved pays for itself.

You might overpay if: You only use text to speech a few times per month. The basic free plan of Speechify has limited features but might be enough.

Speechify Pros and Cons

✅ What I Liked

❌ What Could Be Better

Is Speechify Right for You?

✅ Speechify is PERFECT for you if:

• You have reading disabilities like dyslexia or ADHD and need daily support
• You need to consume large amounts of written text every day for work or school
• You’re an auditory learner who retains information better by listening
• You want to multitask — listen while cooking, working out, or commuting

❌ Skip Speechify if:

• You need professional voiceover creation for videos or podcasts (try Murf AI or ElevenLabs)
• You only read a few articles per week — the free plan or NaturalReader may work
• You prefer a one-time purchase over a monthly subscription (check Voice Dream Reader)

My recommendation:

If you read more than an hour of digital content per day, Speechify is a no-brainer. The natural sounding voices and user friendly interface make it the best text to speech app for daily use. Speechify is designed to help individuals with reading disabilities consume their reading content with ease. For casual users, start with the free plan.

Speechify vs Alternatives

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

Quick picks:

• Best overall for reading: Speechify — unmatched listening experience for daily use
• Best budget option: ElevenLabs — starts at $4.17/month with amazing voice quality
• Best for beginners: NaturalReader — simple interface with a strong free tier
• Best for creators: Murf AI — studio-grade voiceovers for videos and presentations

🎯 Speechify Alternatives

Looking for Speechify alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🎨 Murf AI: Best for professional voiceovers with studio-quality tools and 120+ AI voices in multiple languages.
• 🚀 Play.ht: Great for realistic voice cloning with a massive voice library and API access for developers.
• 💰 Lovo: Affordable AI voice generator with emotional voices and built-in video editing features.
• 🔧 Descript: Perfect if you need audio and video editing combined with AI voice features.
• 🌟 ElevenLabs: The most realistic AI voices on the market with powerful voice cloning technology.
• 👶 Listnr: Easy to use with 142+ languages and built-in podcast hosting for content creators.
• 🏢 Podcastle: Ideal for podcasters who want AI-powered recording and editing in one place.
• ⚡ Dupdub: Fast AI voiceover and avatar creation for videos with a generous free plan.
• 🔒 WellSaid Labs: Enterprise-grade voice generation for large teams and businesses.
• 💰 Revoicer: Budget option with 80+ voices and emotional controls for voiceover projects.
• 🏢 ReadSpeaker: Custom pricing for businesses and education with synchronized text highlighting.
• 👶 NaturalReader: Simple, beginner-friendly TTS with a strong free tier and OCR scanning.
• 🎨 Altered: Advanced voice morphing and cloning for creative audio projects.
• 💰 Speechelo: One-time $47 payment for basic text to speech. No subscription needed.
• ⚡ TTS OpenAI: Pay-as-you-go pricing with high-fidelity neural voices for developers.
• 🧠 Hume: Emotion-aware AI voices that understand and respond to feelings in speech.

⚔️ Speechify Compared

Here’s how Speechify stacks up against each competitor:

• Speechify vs Murf AI: Speechify wins for reading. Murf AI wins for creating professional voiceovers.
• Speechify vs Play.ht: Play.ht has better voice cloning. Speechify has a better reading experience.
• Speechify vs Lovo: Lovo offers emotional voices. Speechify offers better OCR and cross-platform sync.
• Speechify vs Descript: Descript is for video editing. Speechify is for listening to text.
• Speechify vs ElevenLabs: ElevenLabs has more realistic voices. Speechify has better reading tools.
• Speechify vs Listnr: Listnr offers podcast hosting. Speechify focuses on personal reading.
• Speechify vs Podcastle: Podcastle is for podcast creators. Speechify is for content listeners.
• Speechify vs Dupdub: Dupdub offers AI avatars. Speechify offers better text reading features.
• Speechify vs WellSaid Labs: WellSaid Labs targets enterprises. Speechify targets individual users.
• Speechify vs Revoicer: Revoicer is cheaper. Speechify has more voices and better mobile apps.
• Speechify vs ReadSpeaker: ReadSpeaker is for businesses. Speechify is for personal use.
• Speechify vs NaturalReader: NaturalReader is 30% cheaper. Speechify has better voice quality and speed.
• Speechify vs Altered: Altered is for voice morphing. Speechify is for reading and listening.
• Speechify vs Speechelo: Speechelo is a one-time $47 buy. Speechify is a subscription but has way more features.
• Speechify vs TTS OpenAI: TTS OpenAI is for developers. Speechify is for everyday users.
• Speechify vs Hume: Hume specializes in emotional AI. Speechify specializes in reading and accessibility.

My Experience with Speechify

Here’s what actually happened when I used Speechify:

The project: I used Speechify to convert text from 5 different client research documents into audio. Each was 10,000+ words long. I also used it daily for reading articles and email newsletters.

Timeline: 90 consecutive days of daily use.

Results:

What surprised me: Speechify reads text way better than I expected. The human like voices made long documents enjoyable. I found myself looking forward to my commute so I could listen to articles. Speechify is often recommended for busy individuals who want to maximize their reading time on the go.

What frustrated me: The 150,000 word limit hit me in week 3. After that, Speechify users get switched to basic voices. Not gonna lie, the non HD voices are noticeably worse. Also, some voices still mispronounce technical words.

Would I use it again? Yes. Without hesitation. Speechify lets me consume 3x more content. For someone who needs to keep up with academic research and digital content, it’s a powerful tool. The premium plan is worth every penny for heavy readers.

Final Thoughts

Get Speechify if: You read a lot of digital content daily and want to convert text into natural sounding audio. The additional features like OCR, AI summaries, and voice cloning enhance productivity and make it a game changer for students, professionals, and anyone with reading disabilities.

Skip Speechify if: You only need text to speech a few times a week. The free version or a cheaper tool like NaturalReader will do.

My verdict: After 90 days of daily use, I can say Speechify stands out as the best consumer text to speech app. The Speechify app is a versatile app that enhances productivity for anyone who needs to import text and listen on the go. Speechify is the #1 audio reader in the world for a reason.

Speechify is best for daily readers who want to save time. It’s not for everyone. But for the right user, it’s worth every cent.

Rating: 4.2/5

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Speechify actually free?

Yes, Speechify offers a free plan with basic text to speech. But the free version has limited features. You only get 10 non HD voices at basic speed. The premium subscription plans unlock 1,000+ natural sounding voices, faster reading speed, and offline listening. Most Speechify users upgrade after hitting the free plan limits.

How much does Speechify cost?

Speechify premium costs $139 per year (about $11.58/month). The monthly plan is $29/month. There’s also a free plan with basic features. Speechify does not offer a lifetime deal. The annual plan gives you the best value for converting text to speech daily.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Speechify offers a free trial for 3 days. You get full access to all premium features. Set a reminder before it ends. After the trial, you’ll be charged the full annual fee unless you cancel. The trial lets you test the premium voices and advanced features before you commit.

Is Speechify better than NaturalReader?

It depends on your needs. Speechify has better voice quality and faster speed options. NaturalReader is cheaper and has a stronger free tier. For daily heavy reading, Speechify wins. For budget users who need basic text to speech, NaturalReader is a smart pick. Both support PDF documents and multiple languages.

Is Speechify safe to use?

Yes. Speechify is a safe and legitimate app. It’s used by over 50 million people worldwide. It won a 2025 Apple Design Award. The app is available on all major app stores. Your data stays in your account. Just be mindful about uploading sensitive documents to any cloud-based service.