Speechify
Text-to-speech and voice AI platform that reads any document aloud in 1,000+ voices
Speechify converts PDFs, web pages, and documents to audio using 1,000+ AI voices across 60+ languages, with playback up to 5x speed. The free tier caps speed at 1.5x and limits voices to 10. Premium costs $139/year ($11.58/mo) or $29/month, and adds voice typing, AI summaries, and podcast creation. Best for heavy readers and students who prefer listening over reading.
What is Speechify?
Speechify is a text-to-speech platform that converts written content — PDFs, web articles, Google Docs, physical books scanned via camera, and more — into spoken audio using AI-generated voices. It offers over 1,000 voices across 60+ languages and supports playback speeds from 0.5x up to 5x, which the company markets as a way to consume written material faster than traditional reading.
Beyond basic document-to-audio conversion, the Premium tier adds voice typing (dictation with grammar correction), AI-powered summaries and contextual Q&A on imported documents, and an AI Podcast feature that turns any text or document into a structured podcast-style audio file. The platform is distinct from Speechify Studio (its separate voiceover production product) and from the Speechify API — both are billed independently and target different use cases.
The free tier exists but is functionally limited: only 10 voices, a hard cap at 1.5x playback speed, and no AI features. It functions more as an extended trial than a standalone product.
Who is it for?
Speechify’s core audience is people who process large volumes of written content regularly and prefer or need audio over visual reading. Students at the college and postgraduate level, professionals in research-heavy roles (lawyers, analysts, journalists), and people with dyslexia or visual impairments are the primary reported user segments.
- Students and researchers who need to cover dense reading lists and want to listen during commutes or while doing other tasks
- People with dyslexia, ADHD, or visual impairments who benefit from synchronized text highlighting and flexible audio playback
- Busy professionals processing long reports, contracts, or email threads hands-free
- Non-native speakers who use slower playback speeds or native-language voices to follow content in a second language
How much does Speechify cost?
Starting price: $11.58/mo · Free tier: yes · Model: freemium
Price history tracked from June 2026
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 10 voices · Speed capped at 1.5x · Basic text-to-speech only · Web and mobile access |
| Premium (Annual) | $139/yr | 1,000+ high-quality AI voices · 60+ languages · Up to 5x playback speed · AI Summaries and chat · Voice Typing (dictation) · AI Podcast creation · Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive integrations · Offline MP3 downloads · Unlimited file storage |
| Premium (Monthly) | $29/mo | All Premium Annual features · No annual commitment |
What are Speechify's key features?
- Text-to-speech with 1,000+ AI voices across 60+ languages
- Playback speed control from 0.5x to 5x
- OCR scanning to convert physical books and printed docs to audio (Premium)
- Voice Typing with grammar correction for hands-free dictation (Premium)
- AI Summaries and contextual Q&A on imported documents (Premium)
- AI Podcast creation from text or document uploads (Premium)
- Chrome and Edge browser extensions for web page listening
- Offline listening with MP3 export (Premium)
- Integrations with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive (Premium)
What people use Speechify for
- 01 Listening to research papers and long-form articles during commutes
- 02 Students with dyslexia or reading difficulties consuming textbooks via audio
- 03 Professionals processing documents hands-free while multitasking
- 04 Non-native English speakers using slower playback speeds and 60+ language voices
- 05 Content creators turning written drafts into AI-generated podcast audio
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Available on every major platform: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Chrome, Edge, and web | Free tier is severely limited — 10 voices and 1.5x max speed makes it a trial, not a usable product |
| Annual plan at $139/yr ($11.58/mo) is competitively priced against alternatives | No team or multi-seat plan; enterprise pricing requires contacting sales |
| Voice quality noticeably higher than free TTS tools at comparable speeds | Speechify Studio (voiceover creation) and the API are separate products with separate pricing |
| OCR scanning lets users listen to physical printed material | Monthly billing at $29/mo is expensive relative to the $11.58/mo annual rate |
What are the best Speechify alternatives?
ElevenLabs is the closest Speechify alternative in our directory: it covers the same category (AI Audio & Music), starts at $6/mo, has a free tier.
Ranked by category overlap with Speechify, then free-tier availability, then lowest verified starting price — computed from our verified data, never from sponsorships.
| Alternative | What it is | Starting price | Free tier | Price verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElevenLabs vs Speechify → | AI voice platform for text-to-speech, voice cloning, and conversational agents in 70+ languages | $6/mo | yes | Jul 3, 2026 |
| Udio | AI music generator that creates full songs with vocals from text prompts | $10/mo | yes | Jun 11, 2026 |
| Murf AI vs Speechify → | AI text-to-speech studio with 200+ voices across 35+ languages for voiceovers, dubbing, and voice agents | $19/mo | yes | Jun 11, 2026 |
| NotebookLM | Google's AI research assistant that answers questions grounded in your own uploaded sources | $7.99/mo | yes | Jun 11, 2026 |
| Otter.ai | AI meeting assistant that transcribes, summarizes and extracts action items from conversations | $8.33/user/mo | yes | Aug 27, 2026 |
| Descript | Text-based video and podcast editor with AI transcription, voice cloning, and filler-word removal | $16/mo | yes | Jul 3, 2026 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is Speechify free?
Speechify has a free tier with 10 voices and playback capped at 1.5x speed. It covers basic text-to-speech but excludes AI summaries, voice typing, OCR, and premium voices. Premium costs $139/year or $29/month.
How much does Speechify cost?
Speechify Premium costs $139/year (about $11.58/month) when billed annually, or $29/month on a monthly plan. The annual plan saves roughly 60% compared to monthly billing.
What is the difference between Speechify and Speechify Studio?
Speechify (the Reader app) converts your own documents to audio for personal listening. Speechify Studio is a separate product for creating voiceover and dubbing content for publication, with credit-based pricing billed separately.
Does Speechify have an API?
Yes. The Speechify API is a separate product priced at $10 per 1 million characters (roughly $0.45 per voice-hour) on a pay-as-you-go basis, intended for developers integrating TTS into their own apps.
Can Speechify read PDFs?
Yes. Speechify can import PDFs directly on the web app and mobile apps. The Premium plan also adds OCR scanning to read physical documents or images of printed text.
What languages does Speechify support?
Speechify Premium supports 60+ languages. The free tier offers only a limited English voice set.
Is Speechify good for people with dyslexia?
Speechify is commonly used by people with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. It converts any text to natural-sounding audio, supports variable speeds, and highlights text as it reads — features that reduce reliance on visual decoding.