# Pericles: Text to Speech Screen Reader

> Web-page TTS (text to speech) screen reader, that does not require cutting and pasting sentences, paragraphs or entire page sections.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/pericles](https://chrome-stats.com/d/pericles)

## Overview

- **ID:** `pericles`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Removed
- **Publisher:** Alexandru Calin
- **Daily users:** 2,031
- **Weekly downloads:** 71
- **Rating:** 3.19 / 5 (57 ratings)
- **Version:** 2.0.32
- **Last updated:** 2021-02-13
- **First published:** 2018-10-08
- **Size:** 692 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-02-11
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/pericles/)
- **Website:** [https://getpericles.com/](https://getpericles.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/pericles/privacy/](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/pericles/privacy/)

## Description

Pericles: Text to Speech Screen Reader is a free Chrome extension designed to improve accessibility and productivity. It reads web-page text aloud without requiring you to cut and paste sentences, paragraphs, or entire sections. Perfect for people with disabilities, eye fatigue, or anyone multitasking, Pericles allows you to listen to news, scientific articles, and other text content seamlessly.

Built-in with diverse voice options for Mac users and select voices for Windows, the extension makes it easy to consume written content hands-free. Whether you're cooking, commuting, or relaxing, Pericles enhances your reading experience by turning text into clear and natural speech.

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `activeTab`
- `storage`
- `contextMenus`
- `tts`
- `tabs`

### Content script matches

- `<all_urls>`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** High risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** High risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
- This extension is not longer available in the store

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

Pericles offers convenient on-page highlighting with TTS and adjustable speed, plus a simple UI and usable voice options, which helps readers, including those with ADHD. However, multiple reviews cite serious security concerns (spam/hacked behavior), reliability problems (unreliable reading, loading loops), limited customization, and Linux/Arch compatibility issues. Voice quality is also a common complaint. Overall, strong core features are offset by security, reliability, and compatibility shortcomings.

### Pros

- On-page text highlighting with built-in TTS and automatic scrolling (no separate windows or manual text selection).
- Uses built-in OS voices or configurable voices, which suffices for many users.
- Helpful for reading difficulties (e.g., ADHD) and supports adjustable speech speed.
- Simple, intuitive UI with a straightforward feature set.

### Cons

- Security issue: reports indicate the extension can open spam/scam websites, suggesting it may have been hacked.
- Reliability issues: frequent start failures, auto-starts, and looping/loading behavior; inconsistent across pages.
- Limited customization options: users want more control, including the ability to disable the highlighted text feature.
- Compatibility problems on Linux/Arch Linux: some users report it doesn’t work or installs poorly on Arch.
- Voice quality can be mediocre or robotic, with several reviews noting unsatisfactory speech.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/pericles)