Chrome extensions are browser add-ons designed to enhance productivity, workflow, and user experience. They streamline tasks, replacing the need for separate software. Among these extensions, Text to speech stands out as a valuable tool.
Text-to-speech Chrome extensions read Text aloud, using which you can multitask while consuming content. These Chrome extensions benefit those with disabilities and make web browsers accessible for individuals with visual and learning difficulties. It can also benefit students struggling with reading, helping them improve comprehension and fluency.
This blog post will discuss the ten best free text-to-speech Chrome extensions. I will also provide a brief overview of each extension and its features.
I. The ten best free text-to-speech Chrome extensions are:
- Capti Voice
- Voice Dream Reader
- Talkie
- Read Aloud
- Read Me
- Natural Reader
- Snap&Read
- Speechify
- Text to Speech
- Intelligent Speaker
I will discuss these extensions in more detail in the following sections.
1. Capti Voice
Capti Voice is a free text-to-speech Chrome extension incorporating cutting-edge TTS research to deliver users the latest and most remarkable features. At its core, Capti Voice is dedicated to equipping students with top-notch reading and writing tools, striving to offer them the finest resources for their studies.
Key Features:
a. Utilizing advanced technologies from Amazon Ivona, Acapela, and Neospeech, Capti Speak generates high-quality voiceovers.
b. Recognizes and reads Text proficiently in 26 languages, ensuring global accessibility.
c. Automatic audio speed adjustment, tailored to match the language being spoken.
d. Excellent support for text-to-speech of pre-selected content in any document.
e. Comprehensive language support, providing definitions and phrase explanations across all supported languages.
f. Multilingual translation capabilities, enabling seamless communication across language barriers.
g. Empowering students with enhanced writing skills through various note-taking features, all easily translatable on command.
h. User-friendly shortcuts for quick navigation, maximizing productivity and efficiency.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Free for personal use
- Supports 100 languages
- Offers affordable pricing, suitable for most users
- Provides excellent regional accents for major languages
Cons:
- The default voice is among the least impressive
- It lacks support for exporting audio files
2. Voice Dream
Features:
a. Choose from over 200 voices
b. Enjoy natural-sounding voices with various accents and dialects powered by AI
c. Read various content from different sources, including articles, PDFs, scanned documents, ebooks, and more
d. Use browser extensions to easily add content from web pages. e. Listen to anything you read, including audiobooks
f. Voice Dream functions seamlessly without an internet connection
g. Experience fast load times and ensure your data remains private
h. Access Voice Dream on various devices, including while traveling on a train or plane
Pros and Cons:
Pros
- Diverse Voice Selection
- Enhanced Naturalness
- Versatile Content Support
- Easy Content Import
- Offline Functionality
- Travel-Friendly
Cons:
- Limited Export Options
3. Talkie
Features:
a. Simple text-to-speech Chrome extension with support for multiple languages.
b. Easy activation by selecting Text, right-clicking, and choosing Talkie from the context menu.
c. Automatic language detection and voice selection for seamless text reading.
d. No word limits on the Text to be read.
e. Offline functionality available when languages are downloaded.
f. Ability to download additional TTS languages and voices for the operating system.
g. Auto-detection and utilization of downloaded TTS languages by Talkie.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-Friendly: Talkie’s straightforward design and functionality make it easy to use, especially for those seeking simplicity.
- Multi-Language Support: With its capability to handle multiple languages, Talkie caters to users with diverse language needs.
- No Word Limits: Users can enjoy unrestricted text-to-speech conversion, enhancing their reading experience without limitations.
- Offline Mode: The ability to work offline, provided languages are downloaded, ensures uninterrupted text-to-speech functionality, even without an internet connection.
- Additional Language Options: Users can expand Talkie’s language library by downloading more TTS languages and voices for their operating system, enhancing customization.
- Auto-Detection: Talkie’s feature to automatically detect and use downloaded TTS languages streamlines the process for users.
Cons:
- Limited Features
- Premium Upgrade Required for Default Voice
4. Read Aloud
Features:
a. Access to voices in over 40 languages.
b. Text highlighting capability.
c. Multiple voice options to choose from.
d. Support for voice customizations, including reading speed, pitch, and volume adjustments.
e. Compatibility with various website types, such as blogs, news, Text, eBooks, and most university course material.
f. Option to enable Text highlighting while reading.
g. Works offline without the need for an internet connection.
h. No registration is required for basic usage.
i. Open-source project, allowing users to contribute bug fixes or translations through its associated GitHub page.
j. Ability to read formats like Google Docs, blog posts, PDFs, Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, and EPUB (with the EPUBReader extension).
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface for a seamless user experience.
- Supports keyboard shortcuts for convenient operation.
- Provides Access to a wide range of voices in over 40 languages.
- Allows users to customize voice settings, including reading speed, pitch, and volume, for a personalized listening experience.
- Works offline, ensuring continuous Access to content without internet connectivity.
- No registration is required for basic usage, simplifying the onboarding process for users.
- As an open-source project, users can contribute bug fixes or translations, making it a community-driven extension.
Cons:
- The free version lacks realistic voices.
- No option to scan books or directly upload documents and PDFs.
- Some voices may sound robotic or less natural.
5. Read Me
Features:
a. Documentation Builder: ReadMe.io is an easy-to-use tool that helps users build comprehensive documentation sites.
b. Project-Based Approach: Each published documentation site is treated as a project, providing dedicated space for documentation, interactive API reference guides, changelogs, and more.
c. Collaboration: Users can crowdsource and suggest changes to keep documentation up-to-date.
d. API Explorer: The tool enables users to interact with APIs directly within the documentation.
e. GitHub Sync: Auto-generated reference docs are kept in sync with the code on GitHub.
f. Markdown-Based Editor: A drag-and-drop editor based on Markdown simplifies the process of creating documentation.
g. Theme Builder: Users can easily customize the appearance of their development community to match their brand.
h. Support Forums: Users can ask questions and request features through support forums.
i. Versioning: Managing different versions of documentation, including old or beta versions, is made effortless.
j. Application Keys: Users can access and view their application keys directly embedded in the documentation.
k. Integrations: ReadMe.io integrates with various third-party solutions, such as Slack, Google Analytics, Zendesk, and Typekit.
l. Localization: The tool offers integration with localization services like Localize, Transifex, and Smartling.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-Friendly Interface: ReadMe.io’s easy-to-use platform makes documentation creation and management straightforward.
- API Interaction: The API explorer allows users to interact and experiment with APIs directly within the documentation.
- GitHub Sync: The auto-sync feature ensures reference docs stay updated with the latest code changes on GitHub.
- Customizable Theme: The theme builder empowers users to create a visually appealing development community that aligns with their brand.
- Support Forums: Users can engage in discussions, ask questions, and request features through the support forums, fostering a collaborative environment.
- Version Control: The tool offers efficient versioning capabilities, facilitating the management of different documentation versions.
- Integration Options: ReadMe.io seamlessly integrates with various third-party services, enhancing functionality and workflow.
Cons:
- Limited Preset Themes: Although customization is possible, users might appreciate more pre-designed theme options for quicker customization.
Features:
a. Supports voices in over 16 languages, offering a diverse selection for users.
b. OCR function: Capable of reading Text from images and PDF files, expanding its usability.
c. Voice Customizations: Allows users to adjust reading speed and change the voice to suit their preferences.
d. Seamless Switching: Users can effortlessly transition from the desktop to the mobile app without losing track of the portion that has been read.
e. Keyboard Shortcuts: Supports the use of keyboard shortcuts, such as Alt + R, to instruct Natural Reader to start reading Text.
f. Offline Functionality: Works offline, enabling users to read without an internet connection.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-Friendly Interface: Natural Reader offers straightforward functions and a user-friendly UI for a pleasant reading experience.
- Immersive Reading Mode: The immersive reading function eliminates distractions, allowing users to focus on reading.
- OCR Support: The ability to read Text from images and PDF files adds to the extension’s versatility.
Cons:
- Premium Features: Some advanced features require a premium version, limiting Access to free users.
- Not Open Source: Natural Reader is not open-source, which may limit the ability of users to modify or contribute to its development.
7. Snap&Read
Features:
a. Dynamic Text Leveling: Allows users to adjust the readability of Text without altering its meaning, ensuring a tailored reading experience.
b. OCR Screenshot Reading: Supports reading text from images and scanned documents, enhancing its versatility.
c. Translation Capability: Snap&Read can translate Text into various languages, facilitating cross-language comprehension.
d. Text Highlighting: Provides Text highlighting for better focus and understanding.
e. Customization Options: Users can remove distractions and modify spacing and word-per-line settings to create an optimized reading experience.
f. Multilingual Text-to-Speech: Snap&Read can convert text files to speech in multiple languages, enabling broader language support.
g. Real-Time Readability Adjustments: Users can adjust text readability on the fly, enhancing comfort and comprehension during reading.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Distraction-Free Reading: Snap&Read offers features that allow users to create a distraction-free environment for a focused reading experience.
- Comprehensive Study Tools: The extension includes a picture-supported dictionary and simplified vocabulary function, catering to educational needs.
- Font and Spacing Adjustments: Users can customize the font style, spacing, and number of characters per line for maximum readability.
Cons:
- Monthly Cost: Snap&Read is priced at $3.99 per month, which might be a drawback for users looking for free alternatives.
- Limited Free Features: While it offers a free trial, some advanced features may only be accessible through the paid version.
8. Speechify
Features:
a. Voice Customizations: Speechify offers the ability to customize voices, including reading speeds and various voice options.
b. Save for Later: Users can save webpages to the library for listening at a later time, ensuring easy Access to desired content.
c. OCR Functionality: Supports extracting texts from images, PDFs, and eBooks through OCR technology.
d. High-Quality Voices: Provides a wide selection of high-quality voices in over 60 languages for a diverse reading experience.
e. Web-Based API: Speechify offers a web-based API for seamless integration and enhanced functionality.
f. Floating Widget: The extension has a floating widget feature that follows alongside the words on the page as it reads, allowing users to follow along easily.
g. Multi-Platform Compatibility: Compatible with both Mac and PC devices, ensuring accessibility across different platforms.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-Friendly Interface: Speechify is simple and easy to use, catering to users of all experience levels.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: The extension works well across web articles, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and PDFs, providing versatile accessibility.
- High-Quality Voices: Speechify boasts “natural-sounding” audio with different reading speeds and voices, enhancing the overall reading experience.
- OCR Support: The OCR functionality enables users to extract Text from images, PDFs, and eBooks, broadening its usefulness for diverse reading materials.
- Productivity Boost: Listening at Speechify’s average speed setting may offer a 40% productivity boost while using the “speed reader” function could lead to a 150% productivity boost.
Cons:
- Limited Free Version: The free version has limited functionality, potentially limiting Access to certain features.
Features:
a. Web Page Reading: Text to Speech by Hewzio can read the entire web page, providing an immersive reading experience.
b. Multi-Language Support: The extension supports 30 languages, ensuring accessibility to a diverse user base.
c. Simple Activation: To listen to any article, users can click on the extension icon or right-click the screen and choose “Read Page.”
d. Selective Text Reading: Users can listen to selected Text by playing the audio and clicking on the sentence from where they want it to start reading.
e. Distraction-Free Reader Mode: Text to Speech offers a distraction-free reader mode, enhancing the reading experience.
f. Article Sync Across Devices: Users can synchronize articles across devices, including mobile phones, for seamless Access.
g. Podcast Creation: The extension allows users to create podcasts from articles, adding another dimension to content consumption.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-Friendly Interface: Text to Speech by Hewzio is simple and easy to use, making it accessible to users of all experience levels.
- Wide Language Support: Supporting 30 languages, the extension caters to a global audience with diverse language preferences.
Cons:
- Limited Features in Free Plan: While the free plan offers basic text-to-speech conversion, more advanced features, such as dark mode, are available in the paid plans.
- Paid Plans: Three paid plans range from $1 to $10 per month, which might be a consideration for users seeking a free alternative.
Features:
a. Versatile Content Support: Intelligent Speaker can read articles, PDFs, Google Docs, and uploaded Text, providing comprehensive text-to-speech capabilities.
b. Multi-Language Support: The extension supports 20 languages and automatically detects the language for seamless usage.
c. Selective Text Reading: Users can read complete web pages or select Text based on their preferences.
d. Natural Voice Option: Intelligent Speaker offers a “breathing” feature to make the voice sound more natural during reading.
e. Podcast Sync: Users can sync their content to a podcast app, enabling convenient listening to articles on the go.
f. Downloadable Audio Files: The extension allows users to download the converted audio file for offline Access.
g. Offline Functionality: Intelligent Speaker works offline, ensuring continuous Access to content without an internet connection.
h. Browser Compatibility: The extension is available for all major browsers, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Comprehensive Content Support: Intelligent Speaker covers various content types, from articles and PDFs to Google Docs, offering versatile reading options.
- Natural Voice Option: The “breathing” feature enhances the voice quality, providing a more realistic and engaging listening experience.
- Podcast Sync: Users can synchronize content to a podcast app, enabling flexibility in consuming articles on different devices.
Cons:
- Limited Free Listening: The free plan only allows one hour of listening each month, potentially limiting Access for heavy users.
- Premium Subscription: Unlimited listening requires a subscription to the Premium plan, priced at $6.99 per month, which might be a consideration for users seeking a free alternative.
Throughout this blog, we have explored ten of the best free text-to-speech Chrome extensions available: Speechify, Natural Reader, Read Aloud, Talkie, Snap&Read, Voice Dream Reader, Read Me, Intelligent Speaker, Text to Speech, and Capti Voice. Each of these extensions offers unique features, pros, and cons, allowing you to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
So, if you want to enrich your web browsing experience, increase productivity, and make reading more enjoyable, consider exploring the world of text-to-speech Chrome extensions.
We also have blogs about content writing ai and music ai. Do read them too.