Best Text To Speech Chrome Extension In 2022
A Text to Speech Chrome extension is a software program that converts text from web pages into a spoken voice and audio files.
A Text-to-Speech Chrome extension is a software that converts text into a synthesized voice.
It is commonly used to make websites and emails more accessible for people with disabilities.
The extension can also be used to read aloud text on websites or to convert text into Braille.
The extension can also be used to create transcripts of audio recordings.
Speechify Text To Speech Voice Reader Pricing
This Text to Speech Voice Reader has a free plan and a premium version plan.
The free trial plan includes 10 standard default voices to be used, a speed of 1x for selected text read aloud, and it can be used in operating system iOS, Android, Chrome and Google Docs
The premium plan costs $139 per year and allows you to use more than 30 natural premium voices.
This plan also gives you access to 20+ languages which are designed for human-sounding speech.
Scans the readability of the text and turns it to audio.
- Listen at speeds up to 1x
- Listen anywhere
- 30+ high quality, natural reading voices
- 20+ different languages
- Scan and listen to any printed text
- Listen at 5x faster speeds
- Powerful highlighting + note taking tools
- Advanced skipping and importing
Our Top Pick: Speechify
Launched in 2016, Speechify comes with an ever-evolving text to speechAPI. Both the mobile app and its browser extension counterpart offer support in different languages and a great selection of natural-sounding voices.
It supports multiple written content formats. Users can put it to work and improve their understanding of PDFs, documents, online articles, emails, and many more digital resources.
In addition, the desktop version of Speechify comes with optical character recognition technology capable of turning entire documents into understandable audio narrations. This is one of the most popular trends in TTS due to its implications in the real world and interaction with hard-copy templates.
The reading accuracy, voice clarity, and adjustable speed can help struggling students or employees on tight deadlines go through important files at two or three times the speed without compromising their understanding of the information. The AI voices are some of the best around and maintain their reading accuracy through all speed settings. Add to that the flexibility and cross-platform functionality, and Speechify is easily a top solution among TTSapps.
Going one step further, Speechify offers its users top-tier customer support. Unlike some competitors, Speechify counts on trained individuals to resolve most of their customers issues instead of the more traditional chatbot support function.
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How To Enable Text To Speech In Chrome With Chrome Speak
Text to speech is evolving. The implications of text to speech technology are really broad, especially for the specially challenged. Even for most of us, who love to tap away on our keyboards, giving our ears a chance over our eyes has some interesting benefits. For instance, we can absorb information when we are busy doing something else.
Most of our information comes via our browser and thats why the Google Chrome extension called Chrome Speak deserves a mention.
Chrome Speak can read aloud any selected piece of text within the browser. It uses the native text to speech feature of the operating system . Chrome Speak does its bit to add some more handy ways to read long pieces of text. Just let it roll after selecting text and right clicking on the browser page and clicking on Read the selected text. Click on Stop reading to stop the voiceover.
Chrome Speak offers quite a few options to make the speech work for you.
1. Chrome uses the default voice available with the system, but you can add more to your operating system and select them from the Options under Chrome Speak.
2. Chrome Speak comes with multilingual support including different versions of English and quite a few local dialects from India.
3. Chrome Speak comes with two queuing modes Interrupt and Enqueue. But I couldnt get them to work. Probably its a feature thats still in the offing.
Getting Started With Speechify
Getting started is easy if you want to be one of 20 million users to improve their knowledge assimilation abilities with Speechify.
Installing Speecifys Chrome extension is no different than adding any other extension to your browser. The cloud-based version of Speechify has about one million users, and anyone can try it for free. The setup takes just a few minutes, after which you can enjoy browsing written content with the desired voice and at whatever speed you find most comfortable.
Upgrading to the affordable pricing premium version enables support in over 20 languages, scanning hard-copy content, five read speeds, content skipping, and practical note-taking tools.
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Text To Speech Extension For Google Docs
Speechify supports Google Docs text to speech across all devices. From Android, Chrome, Safari, and iOS. Once the Speechify TTS extension is installed, all you have to do is press the play button from the toolbar. Speechify will then read everything to you, creating a perfect audio experience that helps you retain more information and better understand the content in front of you.
All told, using text to speech in Google Docs is a great way to empower your ability to communicate and collaborate with both friends and colleagues. Because Google Docs is cloud-based, any changes that someone else makes to a document will be displayed on your own machine in real-time.
Therefore, if you were collaborating on a project with a co-worker for example, and that co-worker added a few new paragraphs of text to the file, you could have the Speechify extension read that specific information, or the entire thing, immediately after the changes have been made.
That way, you dont have to worry about delaying progress on whatever project youre working on. Regardless of whether you have some type of visual impairment or you just retain more information when it is presented via audio as opposed to text alone , this is a highly efficient way to help accomplish your goals.
Read& write For Google Chrome
includes a range of features for supporting reading, writing, studying and research, including:
- text-to-speech to hear websites, articles and documents aloud
- speech-to-text to dictate material
- collection of highlighted material for reference and studying
Read& Write for Google Chrome is free to try with all features for 30 days. After 30 days some features, including text to speech, remain free.
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Text To Speech Tools And 5 Ways Your Students Can Use Them
text to speech toolsfive ways students can benefit from text to speech toolsthree of the best Chrome extensionsview the short video read the rest of the postAssistance for readingMultiple modalitiesSelf-editing for writingWorld language fluencyMultitaskingChrome Web Store linkpremium version for freeSpeakIt!Chrome Web Store linkAnnouncifyChrome Web Store linkPost by Eric Curts. Bring me to your school, organization, or conference with over 50 PD sessions to choose from. Connect with me on Twitter at and on Google+ at
What Is Speechify Text To Speech Natural Reader
Speechify is a text to speech natural reader that can be used to read aloud any text on a computer screen.
It can be used to read web pages, Google docs, PDF, and even e-books, although it doesnt read out loud Amazon Kindle yet.
It can also be used to convert text to MP3 files, so that the text can be listened to on any MP3 player.
There are a few things that make this reading tool software relevant.
First, the reader app is designed to be used by people who are blind or have low vision.
This means that the app can read text aloud, which can be helpful for people who need assistance with reading, or people who prefer listening.
Second,this tts is also designed to be used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
This means that the app can provide written transcriptions of spoken words, which can be helpful for people who need assistance with communication.
Finally, it is specially designed for people who have difficulty speaking.
This means that the app can provide synthetic speech output, which can be helpful for people who need assistance with communication.
It has the best text-to-speech chrome extension that allows you to listen to web pages, articles, and documents.
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Key Features A Text To Speech Chrome Extension Must Have
TTS chrome extensions can be used for multiple purposes in webpages and applications like Google Docs, TXT files, PowerPoint presentations, and more. But, before we can take advantage of what these extensions have to offer, you must know what basic functionalities a chrome extension must exhibit. Here is a list of the key features:
- It should be easy to use and deliver a great user experience,
- Work well with web pages, PDF documents, Docx files, and other document formats,
- Provide a natural-sounding output and not monotonous or robotic-sounding audio,
- Works across all browsers,
- And lastly, it supports multiple languages and accents
Tip: On A Chromebook A Headset Helps
I tested the control sentences above on my Toshiba Chromebook 2 with the built-in microphone and then with a Logitech G330 USB headset. I also tested the phrases with both the native Chrome OS speech recognition system and the third-party Google Docs Add-on.
When I used the headset, accuracy improved . With the headset, the Chrome OS speech recognition system captured the phrases with 100% accuracy. Google Voice Typing in a Google Doc on a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 for the same phrases also achieved 100% accuracy without a headset.
Figure E
Use a headset with a Chromebook to improve the accuracy of speech recognition.
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Google Docs On The Web: Add
A third-party Add-on for Google Docs on the web also enables Speech Recognition . Unlike the on-screen keyboard, the Add-on works only within a Google Doc the Chrome OS on-screen keyboard works with all text fields.
Figure C
In Google Docs on the web, use the third-party Speech Recognition Add-on.
To install the Speech Recognition Add-on, open a Google Doc, choose Add-ons, and then select Get add-ons. Next, search for Speech, then choose the + Free button to add it. Every time you want to start voice recognition, go to the Add-ons menu, choose Speech Recognition, and click Start. A sidebar will appear to the right of your document. Choose your language and dialect, select the blue Start button, and then start talking.
Natural Reader Chrome Extension
Best For Desktop & Mobile Users
Natural Reader is one of the major players on the best text-to-speech chrome extension list. Its available on both Mac and PC desktops, and a huge feature is the ability to pivot over your mobile app. As it supports most files, its also one of the most versatile text-to-speech Chrome extensions on the market.
Here are some of Natural Readers pros and cons:
- Once the extension is downloaded, itsvery easy to use. A little box appears with a play and pause button. Highlight the text you wish to read, and it will begin playing.
- You could move forward and back on the speech if you missed something that was read.
- You can make different customizations, including changing the voice and listening speed.
- Listen to PDF files , Google Docs, emails, Kindle books, and web pages.
- You can easily switch from desktop to the mobile app, which is a pretty nice feature.
- There is a new limit on the voices in the Plus service, which can be annoying when youre paying.
Pricing: There is a free version, but it only gives you 20 minutes per day. Upgrade to the Premium and Plus depending on how much time per day you need it for one-time payments.
VERDICT
Overall, Natural Reader is one of the leaders in the best text-to-speech chrome extensions for a reason. It accurately grabs the text you want to read without accidentally skipping over important sections.
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Five Best Text To Speech Google Chrome Extensions
Assistive technology liketext to speech or read-aloud technology is rapidly progressing. These days, TTS features can be found in multiple digital services, and they can help users with reading issues take full advantage of opportunities in the virtual space. Web browser text to speech extensions are incredibly easy to use. Naturally, there are many text to speech available, and were taking a look here at the top five.
Apple And Windows Systems
Apple devices and Microsoft Windows systems also offer speech recognition options. Dictation on Apple mobile devices works much like Google Voice Typing on Android: tap the microphone to the left of the keyboard, then talk . On Mac OS devices, turn on Dictation. Microsofts speech recognition system requires a settings change, followed by a brief training session for the system to learn your voice in Windows 7, 8/8.1, and 10.
Figure D
Apple also offers Dictation, which provides speech recognition on iOS that works with the Google Docs app.
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Read Aloud: A Text To Speech Voice Reader
Read Aloud is an open-source project that is specially designed for people who prefer listening to content rather than reading it. It offers support for 40 languages.
Read Aloud can read different formats like Google Docs, blog posts, PDFs, Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, etc. To listen to any piece of text, select and right-click it, then choose Read aloud selected text. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut Alt + P.
It lets you adjust the reading speed, volume, and pitch from the Settings icon. Moreover, you can choose whether to highlight the played text.
Read Aloud has around four million downloads on Chrome Web Store, so its definitely a popular TTS extension for Chrome.
Read Aloud for Chrome
Android: Google Voice Typing
The best voice recognition tool for Google Docs, Google Voice Typing , used to be found only on Android devices. Install the Google Docs app, open a document, and tap the microphone icon located to the left of the space bar on the on-screen keyboard. Then talk. Google Voice Typing turns your speech into text.
Figure A
On Android, Google Voice Typing turns speech into text accurately and quickly.
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Why Do You Use Speech
While I use speech-to-text to capture ideas, a colleague of mine uses speech-to-text to reply to email and texts. He doesnt like typing on tiny touch screen keyboards, so he dictates his responses. He relies on the speech recognition software to get the message right. Most of the time, it does.
Speech recognition also helps people who experience pain when typing to communicate. A person I know with carpal tunnel syndrome chooses to talk instead of type whenever possible.
Have you tried Googles speech recognition systems on your Chromebook or Android device? Whereand whydo you use speech-to-text tools? Let us know in the discussion thread below.
Best Text To Speech Extensions For Google Chrome
Given the fact that there are numerous text to speech chrome extensions available in the market, it can get challenging to choose the right one for you. You must sift through each extension’s strengths, weaknesses, and usability. For example, a simple text to speech functionality won’t work for you if you want to read books or access web pages in multiple languages. This is why we have listed the best text to speech chrome extensions based on accessibility, features, and pricing to help you choose the best.
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How Does Voice In Keep My Data Safe
- Your email address to identify your account
- If you are a paying customer, your name to identify payment and voice commands .
Voice In complies with the European General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 . You have a right of access, correction and removal of your personal data which you may exercise by sending us an email at .
Are Dictanote And Voice In Different Products
Yes, Dictanote and Voice In are two separate products built by the same team addressing different use cases.Dictanote is a note-taking app with built-in voice-to-text integration. Writers use it to write their books, students use it to take notes, etc. Dictanote automatically syncs your notes to the cloud and makes them available on all your devices. Learn more about Dictanote.Voice In is a chrome extension that lets you use speech-to-text to type on any website in Chrome. Use it to type emails in Gmail, enter data into Teladoc, write blogs in WordPress, etc.
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Can I Record A Podcast With A Text
Recording a podcast is a great way to market a product or service, or just to share your thoughts with the world. Perhaps youre unable to record with your own voice, or you simply prefer not to but still want to get involved in the podcasting industry. The best text-to-speech Google Chrome extension can help. Choose a natural-sounding voice to read aloud the text that you write, and upload the audio files to your podcast editing software. Treat the text-to-speech file just as you would an audio file you recorded in terms of editing, syndicating, and publishing your podcast.
Let The Extension Read Out The Screen For You
Whether you want to read webpages, documents, or images, these Chrome extensions can read out the screen for you. These extensions are a great way for students to learn different languages and avoid reading long research papers.
Similarly, these text-to-speech extensions are really useful for people with vision impairment or reading difficulties like dyslexia.
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