How to convert a PDF to speech

If you are looking for a way to use text-to-speech (or TTS) to turn web pages or PDF Files into audio files, there are several options available. Regardless of whether you have a Windows device, an Android phone, an iPhone with iOS, or a Mac with macOS, there are several apps that can help you save time and read out loud through a PDF reader. If you want to learn more about how to use TTS to read PDFs, take a look at a few of the top choices below.

Android devices

If you want an app that can read aloud on an Android device, there are a few choices. They include:

• eReader Prestigio: This is an app that is multilingual and has a user-friendly interface. It gives you access to more than 50,000 eBooks and allows you to sync with other cloud accounts. The downside is that the app is a bit slow to complete the PDF conversion process, and it contains advertisements.
• Speech Central: This is an app that has been specifically designed for users with visual disabilities. It can handle PDF files, articles, and more using Bluetooth. You get access to a certain number of free articles per day, but the program is very challenging to use.
• Speechify: The best program for converting PDF files into voice files is Speechify. This is a program that is very easy to use, has a free version as well as a premium version, and will even highlight the text as you go along. It can handle just about any file type, including PDF files, which is why it has become so popular among Android users. It is the best option for taking PDF files and converting them into audio files. Speechify comes with customizable natural-sounding voices and many different languages, so you can listen to your preferred voice and language.

iPhones

Some of the options available for the iPhone from the app store include:

• Native Voice Reader Feature: The iPhone has a native voice reader feature available. You simply need to head to the settings area, click on accessibility, select spoken content, and turn on speech selection. Then, you can have the iPhone read to you, but there are several other apps that can also help.
• Voice Dream Reader: This is a very popular app for the iPhone that allows you to convert your PDF into voice files. It has 27 languages and 36 voices. It supports a wide variety of files, but the app can be very expensive to use.
• NaturalReader: NaturalReader is one of the most popular tools available to convert PDFs into voice files. This app is compatible with Google Drive and DropBox. It is easy to use and does not have any advertisements, but the customer support is very poor. There is not a lot of offline functionality, and the free version is very limited.
• Speechify: Speechify is the best program for those with an iPhone. You have plenty of options for customizing the voice to meet your needs, regardless of whether you want a lifelike voice or a robot voice. Speechify can also handle dozens of languages as it helps you convert your PDF files into audio files.

Macs

Some of the options available for Apple or iPad users include:

• Native Voice Reader Feature: The computer itself can read the document to you. You simply need to open the document, hit the edit button at the top of the screen, and select the speech option to start speaking. It may not have the most lifelike voice, but it is an easy option.
• Speechify: If you are looking for a bit more control over the document, you may want to use Speechify. This program gives you plenty of options to control the reading speed. That means that you can accelerate the reading speed to 9x normal speed if you want to get through the document more quickly. You can also tell the program to skip certain areas that do not have to be read, such as charts and graphs, further helping you save time.

Windows devices

A few of the top options for reading out loud on Windows devices include:

• Innate Voice Reading Feature: If you simply open Adobe Reader on the Windows device, you can have the program read to you. You need to hit the view button and scroll down to the read out loud area. You can also activate this shortcut using CTRL+SHIFT+Y. While it may not give you access to the best voices, it is built into the program.
• Speechify: Because Speechify is compatible with so many different platforms, you can use it to read out loud to you. All you need to do is select a PDF document and either copy it into the text box or upload it into the program. Then, you can control the pitch, tone, style, and even the accent of the voice as it is read out loud to you. Speechify can even read your Microsoft Word and Excel files to you! For these reasons and more, Speechify is loved among Microsoft Windows users.

Online

If you are looking for a way to have the document read out loud to you online, there are several choices. They include:

• TTS Tool: If you are looking for a free tool, then you may want to use TTS Tool. It is easy to use. All you need to do is paste the text into the text box. On the other hand, the voice does not sound very lifelike, and it can sound a bit choppy as it reads to you.
• Natural Reader: Even though this app has already been mentioned, you can also head directly to the website to use it there. It is still very easy to use, but you may find that there are not as many voice options as you would like.
• Speechify: If you are looking for total control over how the file is read to you, you need to use Speechify. You can head to the Speechify website and place the text in the box. Then, all you need to do is hit the play button. If you want to change the voice, you select the person icon to change it. It sounds completely natural, and it doesn’t get easier than that. Speechify can read web pages, emails, social media, and more web-based content!

In Chrome

There are several Google Chrome extensions you can use if you want to read PDF files out loud to you. They include:

• Read Aloud: This is an app that comes with a convenient Chrome extension that you can use to read out loud to you. You simply need to click the button to add the extension, click the orange microphone next to the URL, and open the PDF that you want to read. It will read the entire page out loud to you, but there aren’t a lot of customizable options.
• Speechify: Speechify also comes with a very convenient Chrome extension that you can use to have your PDF files read out loud to you. Instead of having to deal with HTML coding, like other apps, simply add Speechify as a Chrome extension, click the button, and let it do the work for you.

FAQ

Some of the most common questions people ask about reading PDF documents out loud include:

How do I get a PDF to read to me?

If you want your PDF to sound like a high-quality human voice, use Speechify. It can handle numerous file formats, including PDF files, Microsoft Word docs, Powerpoint files, and Google docs, and it is great for people with disabilities, including dyslexia. There is even a convenient plugin for Google Chrome.

Can I convert PDF to speech?

Yes, there are ways to do so, but the best way is to use Speechify (the best speech app) and listen to your document with natural sounding voices.