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Read Aloud Chrome extension

Read Aloud is a free text-to-speech extension that reads webpages, PDFs, Google Docs, and Kindle content out loud in over 40 languages. It's best for anyone who prefers listening, including people with dyslexia or reading difficulty. The catch: the built-in native voices sound robotic; higher-quality AI voices need extra setup or a provider API key.

  • PriceFree
  • CategoryAccessibility
  • ✓Open source
Add to Chrome See alternatives

Pros

  • Free to install with no required account
  • Supports over 40 languages
  • Works with PDFs, Google Docs, Kindle, and EPUB
  • Adjustable speed, pitch, and voice with text highlighting
  • Keyboard shortcuts for quick control
  • Open source

Cons

  • Default native voices sound synthetic compared to premium options
  • Higher-quality cloud voices may need your own API key or in-app purchase
  • Can't read text baked into images

Best for

  • Listening to articles or documents instead of reading
  • Users with dyslexia or other reading difficulties
  • Multitasking while consuming long text content

Skip it if

  • Users who want premium AI voices with zero setup
  • Reading text embedded in images

Key features

  • Text-to-speech for webpages, PDFs, and documents
  • 40+ language support
  • Choice of native browser voices or premium AI voices
  • Adjustable reading speed and pitch
  • Text highlighting synced to speech
  • Keyboard shortcuts (Alt-P, Alt-O, Alt-Comma, Alt-Period)
  • Reads only selected text if you highlight a passage first

What Read Aloud does

Read Aloud converts on-screen text into spoken audio using text-to-speech. Click the icon on any webpage, PDF, Google Doc, or supported document and it starts reading from the top, or from a section you've highlighted. It supports over 40 languages and lets you switch between the browser's built-in voices and higher-quality cloud voices from providers like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.

Read Aloud free vs paid

The core extension, including native voice reading, speed and pitch controls, and document support, is free. Premium AI voices from cloud providers may require an in-app purchase or your own API key, since those voices come from paid third-party services. Most users get by fine with the free native voices for everyday reading.

Is Read Aloud safe?

Because it reads page content aloud, Read Aloud requests access to website content, and its permissions cover handling text that may include personal or authentication-related information on pages you visit. It doesn't require an account to use the free tier. Only enable premium cloud voices with a provider you trust if you're reading sensitive text.

Works great on

Google Docs

Featured in

Comparisons

Read Aloud alternatives

  1. Speechify

    Natural-sounding text-to-speech reader.

    Freemium Accessibility ✓ AI-powered

    Review Add to Chrome

Read Aloud: FAQs

Is Read Aloud free?

Yes, the core extension with native voices, speed and pitch control, and document support is free. Some premium AI voices may need a provider API key or purchase.

How do I use Read Aloud?

Install it, pin the icon, open a webpage or document, then click the icon or use a keyboard shortcut like Alt-P to start reading aloud.

Does Read Aloud work with PDFs?

Yes, it supports reading PDFs along with Google Docs, Google Play Books, Amazon Kindle, and EPUB files, not just standard webpages.

Is Read Aloud safe to install?

It needs access to page content to read it aloud, which can include personal or authentication data on pages you visit, so use discretion on sensitive pages.

Does Read Aloud work in Edge or Brave?

Yes, since both browsers support Chrome extensions, Read Aloud installs and reads text the same way it does in Chrome.

How do I remove Read Aloud?

Go to chrome://extensions, find Read Aloud, and click Remove, or right-click its toolbar icon and choose Remove from Chrome.

Can Read Aloud read only part of a page?

Yes, if you highlight a specific section of text before clicking the icon, Read Aloud reads only that selection instead of the whole page.

Why isn't Read Aloud working on a page?

This can happen on pages that block content scripts, PDFs opened outside the browser's viewer, or text rendered as an image rather than real text.

How many languages does Read Aloud support?

It supports more than 40 languages, using either the system's native voices or optional cloud-based voices for broader coverage.

What are alternatives to Read Aloud?

Other text-to-speech extensions offer similar reading features, and some browsers include a built-in reading mode with basic speech support.

Can I change the reading speed in Read Aloud?

Yes, the popup lets you adjust speed, pitch, and voice selection, and settings can include dark mode and font size for the reading window.

Does Read Aloud require an account?

No account is required for the free native-voice features; some premium cloud voice options may involve provider-specific setup.