Reading and Literacy Apps and Software
Free/Low Cost AT for Reading and Literacy
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Features:
- A collection of ebooks
- Browse by subject, book title, or author
- Ability to create an account
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Online Resource
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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