Top 3 Text-to-speech Apps Worth Your Effort

Apps

text-to-speech apps

Text-to-speech apps are like having your own personal storyteller in your pocket. These nifty tools magically convert written words into spoken language, making it easier to listen to your favorite articles, books, or documents on the go.

Imagine having the power to transform any text into an engaging audio experience – that’s exactly what these apps offer.

With text-to-speech technology, you can multitask like a pro. Whether you’re driving, jogging, or doing household chores, these apps ensure you don’t miss out on the latest news, updates, or educational content. It’s a game-changer for those who prefer to listen rather than read, or for people with visual or reading difficulties.

What’s more, these apps are incredibly versatile. They cater to a range of users, from students and professionals looking to enhance their productivity to individuals with unique learning needs.

If you’re ready to explore, today I will take you into the world of spoken words at your fingertips, text-to-speech apps are your ticket to an exciting, audio-driven experience.

1. Google Text-to-Speech

Google Text-to-Speech is a fantastic app that converts text into natural-sounding speech. It’s like having a friendly voice speak your written words.google text-to-speech

Benefits

  • High-quality speech – Google’s AI technology creates human-like intonation, making your text come to life.
  • Wide voice selection – With over 380 voices across 50 languages, including Mandarin, Hindi, and more, you can choose the one that suits your needs.
  • Unique voice – Customize a voice unique to your brand, setting you apart from others.

Demo

  • You can try it yourself! Just type your text, select a language, and click “Speak It” to hear the magic.

Watch the below detailed demo:

Key Features

  • Neural2 voices – Use the latest research to internationalize your voice experience.
  • Studio voices (Preview) – Professionally narrated content in studio quality for that extra flair.
  • Custom Voice – Create a unique voice model using your own recordings.
  • Voice tuning – Personalize the pitch and speaking rate.
  • Text and SSML support – Customize your speech with pauses, numbers, and more.

Supported Use Cases

  • Voice bots in contact centers – Improve customer service with lifelike voicebots on Dialogflow.
  • Voice generation in devices – Make your devices speak with humanlike voices for a better user experience.
  • Accessible EPGs – Enhance the user experience by having Electronic Program Guides read aloud.

All Features of Google Text-to-Speech

  • Custom Voice (beta) – Train a custom voice model.
  • Voice and language selection – Choose from 220+ voices in 40+ languages.
  • WaveNet voices – Utilize 90+ WaveNet voices for lifelike speech.
  • Pitch and rate tuning – Personalize the voice to your liking.
  • Volume control – Adjust the output volume.
  • Integrated REST and gRPC APIs – Easy integration with various applications.
  • Audio format flexibility – Convert text to multiple audio formats.
  • Audio profiles – Optimize speech for different types of speakers.

Pricing

  • Text-to-speech is priced based on the number of characters processed monthly. The first 1 million characters for WaveNet voices are free. More detailed pricing information is here.

If you’re looking for a tool to transform text into lifelike speech and create engaging user experiences, Google Text-to-Speech is your answer. Give it a try and enhance your interactions today.

2. Microsoft Word Text-to-Speech

Listening to a document can be quite handy for various reasons. Whether you want to catch errors while proofreading, juggle multiple tasks, or simply enhance your understanding and learning, MS Word offers a range of tools that make listening a breeze.ms word app

These tools tap into your device’s text-to-speech (TTS) capabilities to transform written words into spoken language.

Here are the options you have for listening to your Word documents.

1. Read Aloud – Read Aloud is a versatile tool that can read your entire document or just specific portions. You can use it independently or within Immersive Reader, which is available for both Windows and MacOS. Immersive Reader provides an array of tools that improve reading fluency and comprehension.

2. Speak – If you’re using a Windows system, the Speak feature is at your disposal. It allows you to have selected text read aloud. This is especially handy when you want to focus on specific sections of your document.

3. Narrator – Narrator is a valuable app for Windows users, serving as a screen reader that vocalizes not only the text but also dialog boxes, buttons, and various user interfaces. It’s particularly beneficial for those who require an all-encompassing auditory experience.

4. Speech – For Mac users, Speech is the go-to accessibility feature. By configuring your Speech preferences in your Mac system settings, you can choose text and activate the speech output with a keyboard shortcut you’ve defined. It simplifies the process of having your written content read aloud.

To summarize, MS Word’s text-to-speech tools offer great flexibility, making it easy to listen to your documents for a range of purposes. Whether you’re proofreading, multitasking, or aiming to enhance comprehension, these features have got you covered.

Demo

Watch the below demo:

3. NaturalReader Text-to-speech App

NaturalReader is a fantastic solution for text-to-speech needs, be it for personal, commercial, or educational purposes. It’s versatile, user-friendly, and offers a host of features that make it a go-to choice for various users.naturalreader text-to-speech app

For Personal Use

NaturalReader transforms text, PDFs, and more into spoken audio, allowing you to listen to your documents, ebooks, and study materials whenever and wherever you like. This is a game-changer for folks like me, especially those with unique learning needs.

Cross Platform Compatibility

With one account, you gain access to NaturalReader across various platforms, including mobile and online apps. The convenience of having everything in one place is remarkable.

Mobile App

The mobile app is a gem. You can simply drag and drop your files, including PDFs and images, and listen right in the app or convert them to MP3 files. This is perfect for on-the-go learning and multitasking.

Chrome Extension

The Chrome extension lets you listen to emails, news, articles, and Google Docs directly from the webpage. It’s like having your own personal narrator for online content.

Emotive Voice Styles

One feature that stands out is the ability to add emotions and effects to your voiceovers, bringing them to life. This adds a personal touch to your audio projects.

For Students and Teachers

For students and educators, NaturalReader has an EDU feature. It allows you to manage classes, share documents, and collaborate seamlessly. It’s a great tool for enhancing the learning experience.

As someone with Asperger’s Syndrome, NaturalReader has been a game-changer for me. It assists me in processing information by reading aloud ebooks, PDFs, and webpages, which I would otherwise struggle to read on the screen. It helps me create a mental image of the content, making learning more accessible and enjoyable.

Demo

Watch the below demo video:

To summarize, NaturalReader is a versatile text-to-speech solution that makes reading and learning more accessible and enjoyable for people like me. It’s a tool that bridges the gap between text and spoken words, enhancing comprehension and retention of information. Highly recommended!

To conclude, my favorite app is the simplest, Microsoft Word’s Text-to-speech!

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