text to speech android

The 10 best text-to-speech apps for Android

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What are the best text to speech apps for Android devices? Read the full list, and discover which app may be the best choice for you.

At its core, a text-to-speech app (also referred to as TTS) is exactly what it sounds like. It’s an application that takes the words in a document, web pages, PDF files, or from some other file type and then reads aloud the words in a synthetic voice. Text-to-speech apps are different from dictation software, in that they only turn written text into speech—you cannot speak and turn your spoken words into text.

Users employ text-to-speech apps for a wide range of reasons. Some users have visual impairments or difficulties and have a hard time seeing their computer screens. Others may use a TTS app to improve reading comprehension—whether they have dyslexia or they are learning a new language. Others just want to improve their multitasking. Text-to-speech apps are among many new applications that work to improve accessibility.

Have you been trying to Google text apps, text-to-speech apps, and apps that will talk? You might think the landscape is dominated by software only compatible with iOS, but there are many apps on Android devices you can use. As an Android user, you can take advantage of many text-to-speech apps in the Google Play store! We list down the best phone apps for Android for all your text-to-speech needs.

Best text to speech apps for Android

Most text-to-speech software designed for the Android operating system will share several basic features, as there are many TTS Android apps.

You’ll be able to translate the text on your device’s screen into voice, for example. You’ll also likely get to choose the voice you want to hear and even get to adjust the playback speed. Having said that, there are a number of important differences to be aware of between each app.

Some of the best text-to-speech apps for Android include those like the following.

Speechify — # 1 Android text to speech tool

Speechify, the premier text-to-speech engine, is a versatile speech synthesis application compatible with a broad range of operating systems such as Android, IOS, MacOS, and Windows.

It supports a wide variety of formats, including PDF files, docs, web pages, text messages, ePub, HTML, txt documents, email notifications, and handwritten notes, effortlessly converting any digital or written text into speech on your Android device or iPhone.

Whether you have a Samsung, iPad, iPhone, or a desktop computer—Speechify will work for you. The program also has Google Chrome and Safari extensions to work in your web browser, and over 200+ lifelike narrator options across multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and so much more .

Speechify has a number of different features for Android. All you have to do is use the camera on your Android device to snap a picture of a page in any book. Speechify will then read it out loud in one of its dozens of natural voices that are powered by artificial intelligence.

Text highlighting also helps with reading comprehension and improving the speed at which you can read. You can even bookmark text to come back to later. An additional helpful component is using Speechify’s text-to-speech features offline.

They also have a completely free app and a premium version that you can test out with a free trial. There are no surprise in-app purchases, and you do not have to download any other third-party apps to use it!

Try Speechify for free today and see how it can level up your reading experience.

Pocket is a text-to-speech tool that is mainly used to read articles out loud from your Android device’s web browser. All you have to do is share an article with the Pocket app, and you’ll be able to listen to it wherever you go. It is very straightforward to use.

It also acts as an aggregate for a variety of news sources, including National Geographic, Harvard Business Review, and others. Signing up for their email list also grants you access to trending or noteworthy articles for the week.

Talk Free is another app to read text aloud for Android that is designed to be as simple as possible. The interface is sleek and sophisticated. The app itself can also read the content from not just websites and articles but also eBooks, PDF documents, and other types of content.

It even has a “Speak” button that stays with you wherever you go on your Android phone, allowing you to convert text into speech with a tap of your finger. The only downside is that no pause button is available when text is being read aloud. 

T2S is an application that comes with a wide range of advanced features, including its own built-in web browser. Instead of loading the app and then a separate browser, you can convert text into speech from the same window.

T2S also highlights words as they are read aloud, which can be a great way to improve both your reading comprehension and your overall speed. T2S is available in both free and premium versions for you to choose from depending on your needs. It is downloadable on the Google Play Store as well as on other stores.

Voice Aloud Reader

Voice Aloud Reader is an application that can read nearly any text on your Android device’s screen out loud. This includes websites, emails, eBooks, PDF files and more. You can even share specific blocks of text with Voice Aloud Reader to have it converted into speech if you don’t want to deal with the entire document.

You can even share WhatsApp chats for reading out loud, making it unique among the apps on this list. A playlist feature is also included so that you can have all of your text-to-speech notes read out loud at your convenience, too. 

Narrator’s Voice

Narrator’s Voice is another popular text to speech app on the Android platform. This is because of the many helpful features that it offers to users, including support for multiple languages. There are also many different types of narrator voices that people can choose from depending on their preferences.

Many will enjoy the fact that they can take just about any text on screen and convert it into an MP3 or MP4 file to take with them while on-the-go. The only real downside is that there are ads that break up the experience in the free version, and you have to pay to get rid of them.

TTS Reader is one of the more advanced options on this list. It has the ability to read text out loud with all the appropriate emphasis, stresses and pauses. This creates a very natural and lifelike experience for listeners.

You can also set a custom time to decrease the volume of the text-to-speech app. This is helpful if you want to listen to something while falling asleep at night, for example. TTS Reader is also one of those apps that has intrusive ads in the free version, however. 

Android’s Inbuilt text to speech tool

Android’s Inbuilt is an accessibility feature that collaborates with other Google applications offering a read-out-loud feature. For it to function with other applications, you must activate the Select-to-speak option in the Android settings. To do this, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Select-to-speak. When you want to use it, highlight text in any application and select Speak from the popup menu.

Voice Aloud Reader app

The Voice Aloud Reader app offers one of the most straightforward methods for your Android device to audibly read PDFs. It transforms the text within your PDFs into speech and provides options to modify the reading pace, voice, and other preferences to suit your needs.

Google text to speech feature

Google text to speech feature is a service that allows applications to verbally read the text on your screen. For instance, it can be utilized by Google Play Books to audibly read your chosen book, Google Translate to speak translations out loud for correct pronunciation, and by TalkBack and other accessibility applications for vocal feedback across your device.

Key features to look for in text-to-speech apps

When selecting a text-to-speech app for Android, several essential features can enhance your experience, especially if you’re transitioning from platforms like Apple or Microsoft:

1. Voice Quality and File Format: Opt for apps that support various file formats, including the wav file and docx. Advanced apps, like Natural Reader and Voice Dream Reader, offer high-quality, natural-sounding voices. With the advancements in technology, many Android text-to-speech apps now provide voices that closely resemble human speech. Some even offer varied accents and languages, making them some of the best free text-to-speech apps available.

2. Language, Accent Variety, and Supported Languages: Apps like Amazon’s text-to-speech and TK Solution support multiple languages or specific accents. This is beneficial for those exploring foreign literature or needing particular accent pronunciations. The range of supported languages ensures a broader reach.

3. Speed, Pitch Control, and Speech Functionality: Customizable reading speed and pitch, along with enhanced speech functionality, ensure a tailored listening experience. Whether you’re skimming an article or delving into a novel, control over these settings is crucial. Voice text apps have made strides in this area, offering users more control than ever.

4. User-Friendly Interface and Storage: A simple, intuitive interface is vital. The best Android text apps are easy to navigate and might offer features like bookmarking or highlighting for an enhanced reading experience. Integration with storage solutions like Dropbox can be a bonus, allowing you to easily pull in documents.

5. Compatibility and Hardware: While looking for the best text-to-speech app Android offers, ensure it’s compatible with various devices, from Microsoft to Apple. Some apps might also offer optimized experiences for users with a headset, enhancing the audio quality.

Using apps for text-to-speech on Android

There are many versatile apps out there that can host different file formats and are available on different platforms. You don’t need to feel left out just because you aren’t using Apple devices. You can explore all these options, evaluate their features, factor in their cost, and see which ones are the best fit for you!

Experience seamless text-to-speech with Speechify

Whether you’re on iOS , Android , PC , or Mac , Speechify Text to Speech has got you covered. This premier text-to-speech engine effortlessly converts digital or written text into lifelike speech across all your devices. From reading out your emails to narrating your favorite eBooks, Speechify ensures a smooth and natural listening experience. Why wait? Dive into a world of convenience and try Speechify Text to Speech today!

What is the best text to voice app for Android?

Many consider Speechify to be the number one text to voice app available for the Android operating system today. It works with a wide range of different types of content. This includes but is not limited to not just documents but also articles, PDFs, emails and more. With it, users can maximize their time and do more at once than ever before.

Which text to speech app is the best?

Again, Speechify is considered to be the best thanks to the wide range of advanced features it brings with it. High quality AI-powered voices can be used to listen to content up to 9x faster than the average reading speed. The voices also sound natural and human-like thanks to the power of that very same artificial intelligence .

What is the best free text to speech?

Speechify is the best free text to speech app. The premium version is also certainly worth the money due to the many advanced features for Android as outlined above.

Having said that, the best free text-to-speech software makes it simple and easy to convert text files to audio files that you can listen to anywhere.

What is the best free text to speech voice?

Speechify offers the best free text-to-speech voices, which are very natural and customizable. The app comes in both a free version and a free trial that can be redeemed at any time. Users can try out over 30 natural, human-like voices in 15 different languages. If you are looking for seamless and natural-sounding voices, try out Speechify.

Is there any app that can read text messages out loud?

The Android operating system actually has a native text to speech feature that can be used to read text messages out loud. It can be enabled by navigating to the “Settings” application and then selecting the “Accessibility” window. Then, the feature can be toggled on using the option labeled “text to speech output.”

Is a text-to-speech app different from text-to-speech voice?

A text-to-speech app is the actual application used to read text out loud. A text-to-speech voice is the voice used by the app to play back the words on a page or in a document.

Speechify Text to Speech Features

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Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

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Android Police

Check out android's new eerily natural reading voice.

Screen readouts will have a clearer voice now

For as complex as modern technology is, we're also in an age where accessibility features are more advanced than ever. Google is among the many companies that has clearly prioritized their development, actively building out plenty of customizable accessibility features. This week, we're learning about text-to-speech (TTS) features getting a major upgrade for most Android devices.

Google is upgrading Speech Services on 64-bit devices. A new voice model and synthesizer are coming to all 67 supported languages for a total of 421 different voice variants.

Even if you’re using the system default voice for TTS, you should start noticing a different voice for the English-US setting after the update. Google says the new speaker data should bring a drastic improvement to the clarity of speech.

This change will take place behind the scenes, and you won’t need to do anything to start using these improved TTS voices on Android. The update will be delivered through the Speech Services by Google app on the Play Store over the next few weeks.

Our tipster Eduardo reports the new TTS models didn’t work with Google Maps right away, and Assistant stopped working after the Speech Services app update. Hopefully those are just some deployment hiccups that will be ironed out soon.