Reading and Literacy Apps and Software

Free/Low Cost AT for Reading and Literacy

Features:

  • Using the camera of your device, capture text and translate it using OCR
  • Easily extract text from books, magazines, newspapers, ads, etc.
  • Use VoiceOver (iPad only) to listen to your document in a text-to-speech format
  • Captured text can be edited and/or copied to another source

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPad; Android


Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Features:

  • Free PDF reader works if PDF documents are readable PDFs
  • Listen to readings instead of reading them yourself
  • Tagged PDFs are read in order of structure tree, untagged are read in logical inferred reading order
  • Tagged PDFs will read alternative text descriptions

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Windows; Mac OS


Balabolka

Features:

  • Text-to-speech program using the voices installed on your computer
  • Save online text as mP3, mP4, WAV, OGG or WMA file for portable or later listening
  • Reads documents from the clipboard or file types such as DOC, EPUB, HTML, PDF, RTF, and more
  • Customize the background color, font size, and reading options including pitch and rate

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Windows


Beeline Reader

Features:

  • Color gradient text reader with Open Dyslexie® Font
  • Read PDF files, webpages and convert ebooks to PDF files to be read with this program
  • Color gradient text helps eyes to track lines of text for easier, faster reading by eliminating “line transition errors.”
  • Various color gradient color schemes for personalized use

Cost: $2.00 browser extensions; Free for iOS app only

Compatibility: Browser Extension: Chrome & Firefox; iOS: iPad, iPhone; Desktop


Bookshare

Features:

  • Largest online library of accessible reading materials for people with print disabilities
  • Accessible books, textbooks, newspapers and magazine are available
  • Individuals with Print Disabilities can sign up for a membership
  • Books available for download can be read on DAISY players, with Screen Readers, Refreshable Braille Displays, and other assistive technology programs

Cost: Free (for qualified individuals) 

Compatibility: Online Resource


Capti Narrator

Features:

  • Convert documents and webpages into text-to-speech
  • Upload documents from Dropbox, Google Drive, Clipboard, Instapaper, or Web Browser
  • Listen to document immediately or save it to your playlist for future listening
  • Adjust speech rate along with the choice of built-in voices; additional voices for purchase

Cost: Free for personal use only (with optional in-app purchases)

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Window and Mac Browser Extension


ClaroRead Chrome

Features:

  • Reads aloud text on any website
  • Reads Google Docs
  • Speak accessibile PDFs
  • Turn on Colored Overlay and highlight words as they are being read

Cost: Free browser extension with premium in-app purchases

Compatibility: Android


Cometdocs PDF Converter

Features:

  • Create and convert PDF documents to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Images, and other formats
  • Use within Google Drive with the converted documents stored there
  • Use the web application, desktop app or app on your iOS device to convert documents

Cost: Free; upgrade for $9.99/month

Compatibility: Windows; iPad, iPhone; Chrome Extension


GhostReader

Features:

  • Text-to-Speech app for Mac computers
  • Reads your text aloud with the ability to customize voices and modify the pronunciation of words so it sounds correct when reading
  • Ability to zoom and highlight words
  • Covert text to audio files for on-the-go listening
  • Import text from a variety of formats including Text, Word, HTML, PDF & RTF

Cost: $14.99-$19.99 after free trial period ends

CompatibilityMac


Go Read

Features:

  • Download and listen to your Bookshare books on your Android device
  • Read DAISY and EPUB books with voice navigation and text-to-speech
  • Connects directly to online libraries, and Bookshare for quick download
  • Optimized for visually-impaired readers, but usable by anyone

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Android


HelperBird

Features:

  • Web browsing text-to-speech and speech-to-text options
  • Customizable styles and colors, including high contrast
  • Includes features for assistance with color blindness and zoom features
  • Overlay to reduce bright white light
  • Other features: dictionary, Google Translate, underlining, ad removal, dyslexia font, notes and more

Cost: Free; $4.99/month for Plus version

Compatibility: Chrome Browser Extension


Immersive Reader

Features:

  • Built-in text decoding solutions for students to assist with reading
  • Enhanced dictation, focus mode, immersive reading, font spacing, short lines, parts of speech supports, syllabification, and comprehension mode

Cost: Free through Microsoft Office

Compatibility: Edge Browser, iOS, Windows


iSpeech

Features:

  • Select the text you want read aloud in your browser
  • Can read text in more than 50 languages
  • Ability to add new voices and change the speaking rate

Cost: Free; premium in-app purchases available from $4.99 and up

Compatibility: Online Resource


NaturalReader

Features:

  • Text-to-speech software which converts Microsoft Word, webpages, PDFs, and e-mail into spoken text
  • Customize reading voice and speed for your readings
  • Floating toolbar to read text in other applications
  • Online Text-to-Speech program with options to input text from various sources on your computer

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Windows; Mac OS; Online Resource


Open Library

Features: 

  • A collection of ebooks
  • Browse by subject, book title, or author
  • Ability to create an account

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource


Postlight Reader

Features:

  • Removes clutter from webpages for easier reading
  • Customize the size of the text, the font, and adjust for a light or dark-themed background
  • Send the reading to Kindle for reading on that device

Cost:  Free

Compatibility:  Chrome Extension


Prizmo

Features:

  • Take a picture and have immediate conversion into text with this OCR program for text-to-speech
  • Ability to change the voice and interactive reading display with words highlighted as they are read
  • 10 different languages built in with over 30 additional for download
  • Ability to edit the OCR results to correct spelling errors or reorder text

Cost: Free; Purchase Pro option $49.99-$74.99

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone


Reader Mode

Features: 

  • Remove distractions from reading on the internet with this app
  • Click the Chrome Extension for clean reading with black text on white background
  • Ads and flash animations removed by the click of a button

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome Extension


Read2Go

Features:

  • Browse over 190,000 books to have access to all of your Bookshare books on your mobile device
  • Easy use app to read text or turn on the text-to-speech mode
  • Control the text layout of the page for easier visual reading including font size, color, background and reading options such as reading speed, and voice options
  • Connect via Bluetooth to a braille display to read in Braille

Cost: $19.99

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch


ReadMe!

Features:

  • Read PDF and ePUB files on your tablet when you upload them to your bookshelf
  • Spritz Reader is integrated into it – a tool for speed reading showing one word at a time to the reader
  • Beeline Reader – polychromatic text color reader integrated into pay option of app

Cost: Free with Spritz Reader but Beeline Reader has additional monthly ($0.99), yearly ($4.99) or lifetime membership options

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch; Android


Readsy

Features:

  • Use Readsy to focus your eyes on one word at a time without having to move them while reading
  • Upload a PDF, txt file or copy and paste text into the website to have it read
  • Increase reading speed and comprehension using Readsy
  • Use Spritz to test yourself to find optimum reading speed

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource


Rewordify

Features:

  • Rewordify replaces higher-level vocabulary with words that are easier to understand
  • Helps build understanding within readings and builds vocabulary
  • Difficult words are replaced and highlighted
  • Click on the words that were replaced to see the original word in the text

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource


Snap&Read

Snap&Read is the Next-Generation reading tool for Google Chrome, iPad and more, that can cover the most diverse reading needs. It reads both accessible and inaccessible text aloud, it levels vocabulary, and translates, delivering usage data to teachers who then can more easily assess students’ reading needs individually. 

Features:

  • Read Aloud
  • Dynamic Text Leveling
  • PDF Annotation for worksheets and assignments
  • Translation
  • Study tools
  • Remove Distractions
  • Color/Overlay/Reading Line Guides
  • Picture Supported Dictionary
  • Bibliographer
  • Screenshot Reader
  • Readability Analyzer
  • Data Collection

Compatibility

  • Google Chrome Extension
  • Microsoft Edge Extension
  • Google Classroom
  • Chromebooks, Mac, Windows desktops running Google Chrome Browser
  • iPad App
  • Online
  • PDFs
  • OverDrive
  • Amazon Kindle Cloud Reader
  • Bookshare
  • iReady

Pricing

  • Free Trials!  30-day time period for Educators -- no credit card required
  • Personal, Parent or Educator $4.99 per program/per seat/per month. Credit Card required
  • School Wide or District Wide Licensing:  $.50 - $2.00 per student seat/annually based on total student enrollment and number of schools for District Wide.  Coalition package deal available.  Per student seat and other options also available.  Contact your Educational Support Specialist for Universal tools - Jennifer Loucks at 800/999-4660, ext. 596 or jloucks@donjohnston.com for more details

Speechify

Features:

  • Have text read out to you in natural-sounding human voices
  • Upload documents into the application
  • Have your text read in a variety of languages

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPhone; Mac; Android; Online Resource


SwiftRead (formerly Spreed)

Features:

  • Train yourself to increase your reading speed
  • Import online articles and have them read at double or triple the speed
  • Spreed can train you to read between 200 and 400 words per minute

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome Extension


Spreeder App

Features:

  • Free online web application to help you read faster
  • Copy and paste text from any source into the online application
  • Words will flash at a words per minute rate as you read along and increase your reading speed
  • Ability to adjust words per minute speed, chunk size/number of words flashed, background color and more

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource


Spritz

Features:

  • Test your reading speed using Spritz to find your optimum reading speed to use in partnership with Readsy
  • Increase or decrease the test reading speed to find your balance of speed and comprehension
  • Spritz custom interface called the Spritzlet, adjusts word position and red-letter placement for increased focus, attention and comprehension
  • Various website and apps have the Spritz Spritzlet embedded in it

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Web; iOS; Android


Text2Speech

Features:

  • Enter text from any source and have it read out loud by this online resource
  • Ability to download file to an MP3 file
  • Customize voice and speed
  • 4000-character limit to text read

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource


vBookz PDF Reader

Features: 

  • Read PDF files with this app
  • Interactive cursor allows readers to follow along with text
  • Use annotation tools such as highlighting, text, notes, and bookmarks to help support your reading
  • Read books in text mode with the option for Dyslexie® Font
  • Import PDFs using e-mail, Dropbox, or through iTunes

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone


Voice Dream Reader

Features:

  • Text-to-speech app to read books with the ability to customize your screen for preferred reading options
  • Read by listening to the text, visually or both at the same time
  • Supports PDF, Word Docs, EPUB, DAISY, eBooks, Web pages and more with the ability to integrate your Bookshare books or books in Dropbox, Evernote, Pocket, Gutenberg and more
  • Includes multiple language options along with various fonts, including OpenDyslexic font, and voices, including the option to purchase additional voices
  • Highlight information in the reading and export it to other programs and apps

Cost: $14.99

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch


Yuzu

Features:

  • Read your textbooks on the go – anywhere
  • Annotate your readings with highlights, sticky notes, and flags in your textbooks
  • Filter your notes and highlights onto one screen

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iPad; Web App; Windows Apps