Screen Reader

A web-powered screen reader

The Screen Reader Chrome extension provides a showcase of a fully featured screen reader built entirely with web technologies such as HTML and JavaScript. Designed to work within the Chrome browser, it reads webpage content aloud, helping users access information effortlessly.

Please note that this extension is now in maintenance mode, with no new updates planned and eventual deprecation expected. For more comprehensive screen reading needs, full system screen readers like ChromeVox, VoiceOver, JAWS, NVDA, or Narrator are recommended. By installing, users agree to Google's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

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By:: https://chrome.google.com
Users:: 100,000+
Rating:: 2.51
(1,082)
Version:: 53.0.2784.15 (Last updated: 2024-04-21)
Creation date:: 2019-09-05
Risk:: High risk impact Moderate risk likelihood
Permissions:: accessibilityPrivate
history
notifications
storage
tabs
tts
<all_urls>
Size:: 4.99M
Email:: ch*****@google.com
URLs:: Website ,Privacy policy
Full description:: See detailed description
Source:: Chrome Web Store
Updated:: a day ago

Ranking

# 1,784 ▲ 20

Other rankings

#2629 in Developer Tools ▼ 1

#2 in screenshot reader keyword 55

#7 in screen keyword 93 ▼ 1

#9 in reader keyword 88 ▲ 2

#81 in chrome keyword 98 ▼ 3

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User reviews

Users find the Screen Reader extension performs basic screen reading and accessibility testing functions. However, many reviews highlight critical usability issues: users cannot easily pause or disable the extension once activated, it breaks the Chrome Extensions tab UI making disabling challenging, and it lacks clear instructions or shortcuts. Workarounds exist but are complex, frustrating users. The extension needs better controls, documentation, and compatibility improvements to meet user expectations.

Pros

Performs basic screen reading functionality as intended
Useful for accessibility testing during development
Can read text at different speeds
Provides keyboard announcements for toggle actions
Works reasonably well once enabled

Cons

No easy or intuitive way to pause or stop the reading once started
Breaks or distorts the Extensions tab's UI, making it hard to disable
Difficult or impossible to disable without uninstalling or following complex workarounds
Lack of shortcut keys or unclear instructions for usage and controls
Poor user interface with no clear settings or documentation

Recent reviews

This is absurd. Why can't my computer do the same as my Android phone and read the sceen? Esp. at 2.5x speed? Accessibility? No, this extension hasn't been developed beyond the 1 star drive a user crazy point.

jenny penny, 2025-03-23

I like the extension; it seems fine and does exactly what it's supposed to. I use it to test accessibility during development, at least to ensure minimal support for screen readers. However, the most recent update of this extension, when turned on, breaks the Extensions tab's CSS styling, making it practically impossible to turn off - unless you use the keyboard. Since the screen reader extension is on, it announces "ON," which can be toggled with the spacebar, thus turning off the extension and fixing the Extensions tab's CSS. So, it's really a fine extension - it broke everything around it, but was able to announce invisible element that could be toggled with the keyboard to un-break everything it broke.

Ričardas Ž., 2025-02-12

It breaks Chrome. Don not install.

Daniel Barrington, 2025-02-04

View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

Screen Reader requires some sensitive permissions that could impact your browser and data security. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk impact analysis details

Critical Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
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Risk likelihood

Screen Reader is probably trust-worthy. Prefer other publishers if available. Exercise caution when installing this extension.

Risk likelihood analysis details

High This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.
Medium **** ********* *** *** **** *******
Low **** ********* *** ******* **** **** * ****** **** ***** ******** *** **** ****** ** ** ****** *** *****
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