Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader

Read aloud the current web-page article with one click, using text to speech (TTS). Supports 40+ languages.
What is Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader?
Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader is a Chrome extension that converts webpage text into audio using advanced text-to-speech technology. It supports over 40 languages, works on various websites, and enables selection of different cloud-based voices. It can also read PDFs, Google Docs, Google Books, Amazon Kindle, and ePub. Ideal for users with learning disabilities, those who prefer listening to content, and children learning to read.

Extension stats

Users: 5,000,000+
Version: 2.11.0 (Last updated: 2024-05-21)
Creation date: 2020-07-02
Risk impact: Moderate risk impact
Risk likelihood: Very low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 3
Permissions:
  • activeTab
  • contextMenus
  • identity
  • offscreen
  • scripting
  • storage
  • tts
  • ttsEngine
Host permissions:
  • https://translate.google.com/
Size: 453.63K

Other platforms

Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader (v1.73.0)
3.85 (1,010) 168,804+
Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader (v2.10.0)
4.20 (89) 546,485+
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Extension summary

Analyze keywords

Read Aloud uses text-to-speech (TTS) technology to convert webpage text to audio. It works on a variety of websites, including news sites, blogs, fan fiction, publications, textbooks, school and class websites, and online university course materials.

Read Aloud allows you to select from a variety of text-to-speech voices, including those provided natively by the browser, as well as by text-to-speech cloud service providers such as Google Wavenet, Amazon Polly, IBM Watson, and Microsoft. Some of the cloud-based voices may require additional in-app purchase to enable.

Read Aloud can read PDF, Google Docs, Google Play books, Amazon Kindle, and EPUB (via the excellent EPUBReader extension from epubread.com).

Read Aloud is intended for users who prefer to listen to content instead of reading, those with dyslexia or other learning disabilities, and children learning to read.

To use Read Aloud, navigate to the web page you want to read, then click the Read Aloud icon on the Chrome menu. In addition, the shortcut keys ALT-P, ALT-O, ALT-Comma, and ALT-Period can be used to Play/Pause, Stop, Rewind, and Forward. You may also select the text you want to read before activating the extension. Right clicking on the selected text will provide you with yet another option to activate Read Aloud via the context menu.

To change the voice, reading speed, pitch, or enable text highlighting, go to the Options page either by right clicking on the Read Aloud icon and choose Options, or by clicking the Gear button on the extension popup (you'll need to stop playback to see the Gear button).

Read Aloud is an open-source project. If you wish to contribute bug fixes or translations, please visit the GitHub page at https://github.com/ken107/read-aloud.

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Great for accessibility and turning text into an audiobook.
  • Free to use without ads or premium limitations.
  • Multiple voice options and adjustable speed.
  • Helpful for users with learning disabilities such as ADHD and dyslexia.
  • User-friendly installation and functional features.
Cons
  • Some bugs, including reading punctuation like 'period' out loud.
  • Voice may sound robotic at times.
  • Limited voice options available for download.
  • Occasional issues with sentence clarity and flow.
Most mentioned
  • Read periods as 'period'.
  • Useful for learning and accessibility.
  • Free tool with great functionality.
Recent reviews
Wonderful!!
by Marcio Roberto, 2024-09-18

The Google US English keeps switching between two different voices
by Maxime Charest, 2024-09-16

Si je pouvais donner 0 étoile, c'est ce que je donnerais. Extension inutile car ne détecte JAMAIS le texte.... Sur une image, je peux comprendre.... Mais quand le texte est sur Microsoft Word et qu'un message d'erreur s'affiche comme quoi il n'arrive pas à détecter le texte, c'est que c'est inutile (et combien frustrant!)
by Caroline Gingras, 2024-09-16
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader may not be safe to use and it requires some risky permissions. Exercise caution when installing this extension. Review carefully before installing.

Risk likelihood

Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.

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Promo images

Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader small promo image
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