The Best 8 Text-to-Speech Apps for iPhone – Listen to Your Favorite Texts on the Go!

Have you ever wished for an app that would read your favorite articles, books or documents aloud while you’re on the go? Well, look no further as these innovative Text-to-Speech (TTS) apps for iPhone will allow you to listen to your favorite texts in a natural-sounding voice.

Text-to-Speech technology has improved a lot in recent years, and it has made it possible to transform any text into speech without sounding like a robot. The latest generation of TTS apps are user-friendly, accurate, and can generate high-quality audio that mimics human speech to a great extent.

In this blog post, we bring you the best 8 Text-to-Speech apps for iPhone that are worth checking out.

Video Tutorial:

What is Text-to-Speech?

Text-to-speech (TTS) is a technology that transforms digital text into speech. In other words, it converts written words to spoken words. It is especially beneficial for people who have difficulty reading extended texts due to visual impairment, dyslexia, or other conditions. With TTS, you can have any text read out loud to you. TTS has also become popular with audiobook listeners, language learners, and busy individuals who prefer listening to reading.

Top 8 Best Text-to-Speech Apps for iPhone

1. Voice Dream Reader

Voice Dream Reader is one of the most advanced TTS apps for iPhone, with a wide range of features including customizable voices, font style, and colors. This app can read text from almost any source, including websites, e-books, and PDFs. It also has advanced features such as bookmarking, highlighting, and note-taking.

Pros:
– A wide range of voice options available
– Customizable font styles and colors
– Can read from multiple sources
– Advanced features such as bookmarking, highlighting, and note-taking.

Cons:
– A bit expensive compared to other TTS apps
– Voice customization may require a bit of effort.

2. ClaroSpeak

Another popular TTS app is ClaroSpeak, which comes with a clean interface and easy-to-use features. ClaroSpeak can read text from clipboard, web pages, emails, and documents, and it can also work with cloud services like Dropbox. The app supports a wide range of languages, and it even has a built-in OCR feature that allows you to scan and read printed text.

Pros:
– Supports various languages
– Built-in OCR feature to scan printed text
– Clean interface
– Easy-to-use features.

Cons:
– Voice quality may not be as good as other TTS apps
– Some advanced features may require an upgrade.

3. NaturalReader

NaturalReader is a popular TTS app for both iPhone and Android devices, known for its high-quality voices that can mimic human speech. It can read text from almost any source, including PDF documents, web pages, and emails. The app also has advanced features such as bookmarking and note-taking.

Pros:
– High-quality voices that mimic human speech
– Supports multiple languages
– Bookmarking and note-taking feature.

Cons:
– Some advanced features may require an upgrade
– The free version has limited functionality.

4. TextAloud

TextAloud is a popular TTS app for both Windows and iPhone devices. It can read text from almost any source and can also convert text into MP3 or WAV audio files. The app comes with multiple voice options and supports multiple languages. It also has a built-in dictionary and thesaurus.

Pros:
– Multiple voice options and language support
– Can convert text into audio files
– Built-in dictionary and thesaurus.

Cons:
– The iPhone app is a bit expensive
– The interface may be outdated.

5. Speak Selection

Speak Selection is a built-in feature of iPhone and iPad devices that allows users to read out any text they have highlighted. This feature can be activated by going into Settings > General > Accessibility > Speech. Once enabled, you can highlight any text and tap the "Speak" option to have it read out loud.

Pros:
– Built into iPhone and iPad devices
– Free to use
– Easy to use.

Cons:
– Limited functionality
– Only works with highlighted text.

6. Speechify

Speechify is an innovative TTS app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate natural-sounding speech. The app can read text from almost any source, including PDF documents, web pages, and emails. It also has advanced features such as speed control and custom voice settings.

Pros:
– Uses AI for natural-sounding speech
– Can read from multiple sources
– Advanced features such as speed control and custom voice settings.

Cons:
– The free version has limited functionality
– Some advanced features may require an upgrade.

7. Voice Dream Writer

Voice Dream Writer is designed for writers, bloggers, and students who want to improve their writing quality. The app comes with a powerful text editor that can analyze your writing and provide suggestions for improvement. It also has TTS features that can read out your text in natural-sounding speech.

Pros:
– Powerful text editor
– Analyzes writing quality and provides suggestions
– Can read out text in natural-sounding speech.

Cons:
– Expensive compared to other TTS apps
– TTS features may not be as advanced as other apps.

8. iSpeech

iSpeech is a TTS app that can read text in over 50 languages. It can read text from almost any source and provides high-quality voices that sound like human speech. The app also has features such as speed control and sharing options.

Pros:
– High-quality voices in over 50 languages
– Supports multiple sources
– Easy to use.

Cons:
– Some advanced features may require an upgrade
– Only one voice option in the free version.

Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software

Here’s a comparison table for these 8 TTS apps for iPhone.

Our Thoughts on these Text-to-Speech Apps

All of the Text-to-Speech apps we discussed above have unique features and excellent functionalities. Their primary purpose is to read out texts for you, and they do that almost flawlessly. However, the presence of additional features makes them stand out from one another. These features are meant to provide a better user experience.

For instance, Voice Dream Reader’s advanced features such as highlighting, note-taking, and bookmarking can come in handy for individuals who want to work on their reading habits. ClaroSpeak’s OCR feature sets it apart from other TTS apps for iPhone. On the other hand, Speechify and iSpeech use AI to generate speech, making them ideal for users who want to listen to something that sounds close to human speech.

If you’re on a budget, Speak Selection is the best TTS app for you because it comes free. If you’re willing to spend some cash, Voice Dream Reader, ClaroSpeak, and TextAloud are also excellent choices to consider because of their advanced features and functionalities.

FAQs About Text-to-Speech Apps

Q1: How can I activate the TTS feature on my iPhone?

A: To activate the TTS feature on your iPhone, you can go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Speech. From there, you can turn on Speak Selection or Speak Screen depending on your preference.

Q2: Can Text-to-Speech apps read text from PDF files?

A: Yes, most Text-to-Speech apps have the capability to read text from PDF files.

Q3: Is it possible to customize the voice used by Text-to-Speech apps?

A: Yes, most Text-to-Speech apps allow you to customize the voice used to generate speech. You can select the gender, accent, and language of the voice.

Q4: How can I access Text-to-Speech features outside the app?

A: To access Text-to-Speech features outside the app, you can use the Speak Selection or Speak Screen feature in your iPhone’s Accessibility settings.

Q5: Can I use Text-to-Speech apps while I’m offline?

A: It depends on the Text-to-Speech app. Some of them require a data or Wi-Fi connection to function, while others can work offline.

Final Thoughts

We hope this article has helped you find the best Text-to-Speech app for your iPhone. These apps offer a great solution for people who are visually impaired, busy, or simply prefer listening to reading. Each app has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to consider your needs and preferences before making a choice.