Text to speech iOS apps are ideal for digesting information more easily. Along with improving accessibility, they can help those with dyslexia, or simply people who would rather listen than read.
Despite all apps offering the same basic service, there’s enough variation to make choosing the best one a challenge. Below is a roundup of the best text to speech iOS apps available to help you make an informed decision.
Best Text to Speech iOS Apps
1. Voice Dream Reader
Like most text to speech iOS apps, Voice Dream Reader allows you to upload documents. It supports:
- MS Word
- Plain text
- RTF
- Google Docs
But you can also read web pages, eBooks, apps, and more. The app has 36 built-in voices in 27 languages, and a range of premium voices. You get one free with your purchase (currently $24.99).
Pros
- Multiple file types supported
- Allows you to upload eBooks
- Easy to use
Cons
- Costs money to purchase and has in-app purchases
2. Narrator’s Voice
Narrator’s Voice is still a speech to text app, but it’s more of a converter than a reader. Instead of it reading an uploaded file, it turns text into MP3 or MP4. The benefit of this is that you can then download and share the file rather than listening to it in the app.
It supports different languages and voices, but doesn’t support the same range of text files as other text to speech iOS apps.
Pros
- Free to download
- Lets you add effects to the audio
- Produces downloadable MP3 and MP4 files
Cons
- Doesn’t have the same range of text files
3. Aloud!
Aloud! is a free-to-use app, but it’s very ad-heavy as a result. The Pro version doesn’t unlock more features. Instead, it removes the ads, so it might be worth the money if you find these distracting.
You can upload files and have them read in the app. It currently supports:
- HTML
- MS Word
- ODT
- RTF
- Plain text
- PPT
Its main downside is that it doesn’t have the same range of voices as other text to speech iOS apps. You can use different languages, but they’re all read in the same artificial-sounding voice.
Pros
- Supports a range of files
- Free to use
- Allows you to adjust speed and pitch
Cons
- Ad-heavy
- Doesn’t have different voices
4. Pocket
One of the best features of Pocket compared to other text to speech iOS apps is that it integrates into other apps. Rather than you uploading a file, you save files into the app, so you can listen to them later.
It also does the opposite and reads apps as you’re using them. Although the app is free to use, upgrading to the subscription allows you to permanently save your library offline. The current price is $44.99 a year.
Pros
- Integrates into other apps
- Offers a best of web curated library
- Useful for those with accessibility concerns
Cons
- Your library is at risk of deletion without a premium subscription
5. Natural Reader
Unlike a lot of other text to speech iOS apps, Natural Reader offers a massive range of voices. For example, even with the same gender and accent, you may have 4 or 5 options.
It supports the following file types:
- EPUB
- Plain text
- RTF
- MS Word and PowerPoint
But you can also link it to your Dropbox and Google Drive accounts, so you can listen to your files within the app.
The app is free but you only get 20 minutes of listening time a day. The subscription is $60 a year, which is quite a lot for a standard reading app.
Pros
- Includes a massive range of voices
- Links to your cloud storage accounts
- Easy to use
Cons
- Standard account only includes 20 minutes of listening time a day
6. Speak4Me
Speak4Me is one of the simpler text to speech iOS apps. While others focus on uploading and converting text files, Speak4Me is designed more for those with speech issues. Specifically, you type phrases in the app and then convert them to audio files.
This allows you to send them over social apps, and you can change voices, languages and accents. The pro version is a mere $0.99 and gives you the ability to save a favorites list.
Pros
- Ideal for people with speech issues
- Offers a range of voices and languages
- Audio files are easy to share
Cons
- Doesn’t have a text file upload feature
7. Speaktor
Speaktor is one of the more straightforward text to speech iOS apps. You can easily upload text files and convert them into audio, which is available in 42 languages. There’s also a range of speaking voices in different genders and accents.
Along with functioning as a file converter, it also works as a screen reader, giving you flexibility over how you access your written content. The app is free to use but there is a subscription service that unlocks more features. A notable one is access to its sister company, Transkriptor, which essentially does the opposite.
Pros
- Offers file conversion and screen reading
- Available in 42 languages
- Free to use
Cons
- Doesn’t include a typing function
Frequently Asked Questions about Text to Speech iOS Apps
The most realistic text to speech app is one that uses AI to understand the rhythm of spoken text. Start by looking at apps that state they have realistic voices and see if they offer a trial. Everyone has a different opinion of reality, so this is the best way to find out.
Most text to speech iOS apps convert text to audio. This could be like Speaktor, which reads for you in the app, or Narrator’s Voice, which produces a downloadable audio file. Which you prefer will depend on your needs.
Google’s Text to Speech costs money, but not very much. Its basic price level is $4 for 1 million converted characters per month. For its more advanced voices (WaveNet and Neural2), this price goes up to $16 per 1 million characters.
