Reading and Literacy Apps and Software

Free/Low Cost AT for Reading and Literacy


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


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; $30/year for Pro 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 trial; Purchase $79.99

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


ReadOwl

Features:

  • Offline Spritz Speed Reading: Now, enjoy the revolutionary Spritz technology without an internet connection.
  • Tailored Reading Experience: Customize settings to your preference for a more comfortable reading experience.
  • Enhanced EPUB Compatibility: Fully compatible with both epub2 and epub3 formats.
  • One-Time Purchase: Say goodbye to subscriptions! Access all features with a single purchase.
  • Privacy-Focused: No account setup required and zero user data collection.
  • Modern reader: Built from the ground up using modern technologies, it's lightning fast!

Cost: Free

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


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; Premium up to $29/month

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: Subscription $4.99/month

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: iOS, Mac, Windows, Android