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How to Use the Assistive Reader in Kindle Apps

Assistive Reader provides you with new options to control TTS (Text-to-Speech) in your iOS, Android, or FireOS app.

With Assistive Reader, you can use built-in audio controls in the Kindle app, as well as real-time text highlighting while listening.

Assistive Reader uses your device's OS-level Text-to-Speech engines to read aloud the text of the book.

Assistive Reader automatically pauses when you’re no longer reading, such as when you open the navigation menu or make an annotation (highlights or notes).

Assistive Reader works with any Kindle book with Enhanced Typesetting. To learn if a book supports Enhanced Typesetting, go to the Kindle eBook Store and look for "Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled" in the features list.

Purchased from the Kindle store; or
Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited or Prime Reading, or other official Kindle partner sources; or
Shared with you in your Family Library.

Books must also be available in a language supported by your device's Text-to-Speech engine.

Open the Kindle app on your iOS, Android, or Fire Tablet device.
Open the content where you'd like to use Assistive Reader. Once you turn on Assistive Reader, it remains available until you turn it off again.
Tap the top center of the screen, and then select the reading settings menu, Aa .
Select More , and then turn on Assistive Reader.
To display the player controls, tap the screen. You can control the reading speed, or rewind by 30 seconds using the player controls at the bottom of the screen.

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Accessibility on Kindle Reading Apps

Use TalkBack with the Kindle App on Android
Read Aloud with VoiceOver on iOS
Kindle for Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
Enable Kindle Reading Ruler on Your iOS Kindle App
Kindle for PC Accessibility Features
Kindle for PC Keyboard Shortcuts

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From Text to Speech: How You Read Kindle Books Aloud

Alexa , Devices

Looking to read Kindle books aloud? I’m Isaac, and I’ll guide you through the simple yet fascinating ways to turn your Kindle, smartphone, or even Alexa into a personal storyteller.

From the comfort of your Paperwhite to the convenience of your iPhone, or even your Echo Show , this guide covers it all, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite books audibly, anytime, anywhere.

Alexa, read my book: using alexa for kindle books, on the go reading: kindle app read aloud on android and iphone, tech-savvy reading: utilizing the kindle app on mac, classic yet advanced: making the most of your kindle paperwhite, frequently asked questions, summary: unleashing the power of voice: your kindle’s reading aloud journey.

Integrating your Kindle with Alexa opens a world of auditory delight. First, ensure your Kindle and Alexa devices are registered to the same Amazon account. For this to work, though, you will need an Audible account.

Then, say, “Alexa, read my book,” followed by the title.

Alexa not only reads out loud but also keeps track of your progress, so you can switch between reading and listening seamlessly. This feature is especially handy when your hands are full, or you want to rest your eyes while diving into a good story.

Reading Kindle books aloud on Android or iPhone involves a few simple accessibility settings. And what’s nice is this can be done without a Audible subscription . Let’s break it down by device:

For iPhone and iPad Users:

Activate Speak Screen: Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content. Here, enable ‘Speak Screen.’ This feature allows your device to read aloud any text on the screen, including Kindle books.
Using the Feature: Once enabled, swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to start the reading. A control panel will appear, allowing you to play, pause, and adjust the reading speed.
Choosing a Voice: In the Spoken Content settings, you can select different voices for the speech output. The male Siri voice is often preferred for its clarity.
Battery Saving Tip: Remember to dim your screen to save battery life, as the screen remains active during reading.

For Android Users:

Install Android Accessibility Suite: Download this suite from the Play Store to access text-to-speech features.
Alternative Methods: Explore different text-to-speech options detailed in the YouTube video “Text-to-Speech Options On Android – TalkBack, Select To Speak, Voice Assistant, Screen Reader” for various methods.

For more detailed instructions, refer to the Economist Writing Every Day article.

Reading Kindle books aloud on your Mac is a straightforward process, thanks to the built-in text-to-speech capabilities of macOS. Here’s how to do it:

Enable Text-to-Speech: First, go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Speech. You can enable the ‘Speak selected text when the key is pressed’ option. You can also choose a voice and adjust the speaking rate to suit your preference.
Using the Feature in Kindle App: Open your Kindle app and select the book you want to read. Highlight the text you wish to be read aloud, then use the designated key command to start the text-to-speech function.
Customizing the Experience: Experiment with different voices and speeds to find the best combination. The Mac offers a range of voices, providing a personalized reading experience.

This feature is handy for multitasking or for those who prefer auditory learning. It transforms your Mac into a versatile reading tool, making it easy to enjoy your Kindle books in a whole new way.

While the Kindle Paperwhite is primarily known for its e-ink reading experience, it also offers capabilities for reading books aloud, thanks to its integration with Audible. Here’s how to utilize this feature:

Audible Integration: First, ensure your Audible and Amazon accounts are linked. This allows you to access your Audible audiobooks directly on your Kindle Paperwhite.
Downloading Audiobooks: On your Kindle Paperwhite, navigate to the Audible store and download your desired audiobooks. Remember, you need a Wi-Fi connection for this step.
Listening to Audiobooks: Once downloaded, you can access your audiobooks from the home screen. Plug in your headphones or connect a Bluetooth speaker, as the Paperwhite doesn’t have built-in speakers.
Navigating Audiobooks: The interface allows you to play, pause, skip chapters, and adjust the volume. It’s a seamless experience that combines the pleasure of reading with the convenience of listening.

This feature is ideal for those who enjoy the versatility of switching between reading and listening, offering a rich literary experience on your Kindle Paperwhite.

Can Alexa Read My Kindle Books?

Yes, Alexa can read your Kindle books. Link your Kindle and Alexa devices to the same Amazon account, and then ask Alexa to read your book by stating the title. This feature is handy for hands-free reading and keeping track of your progress across devices.

How Do I Enable Read Aloud on My Kindle App?

For iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and enable ‘Speak Screen.’ On Android, download the Android Accessibility Suite from the Play Store. These settings allow your device to read aloud text from the Kindle app.

Is Kindle Paperwhite Capable of Reading Books Aloud?

The Kindle Paperwhite itself doesn’t read books aloud, but it supports Audible audiobooks. Link your Audible account, download audiobooks from the Audible store on your Paperwhite, and listen to them using headphones or Bluetooth.

Can I Listen to Kindle Books on My iPhone or Android?

Yes, you can listen to Kindle books on your iPhone or Android using the device’s text-to-speech accessibility features. Enable the settings described in the earlier sections to turn your smartphone into a book narrator.

This guide explored various ways to read Kindle books aloud, harnessing the power of devices like Alexa, Kindle Paperwhite, and smartphones. Whether using the accessibility features on your iPhone or Android, listening to Audible books on your Paperwhite, or simply asking Alexa to narrate your latest read, the world of audiobooks is at your fingertips.

Remember, technology is constantly evolving, and so are the ways we can enjoy our favorite books. I encourage you to try these methods and discover the joy of listening to your Kindle library. If you have any questions, experiences to share, or need further guidance, don’t hesitate to leave a comment. Your feedback helps me tailor future content and supports others in our community.

For more insights into using Alexa and other voice assistants, check out the Alexa Archives at Smart Home Explained. Read Kindle books aloud and transform how you interact with your favorite stories.

How to Use Kindle Text-to-Speech

Kindle Text-to-Speech is a feature that will read Kindle books or magazines aloud to you. With Kindle Text-to-Speech you can listen to a Kindle book on your tablet, eReader, or the free Kindle app. Although you can’t change the somewhat robotic voice of the narration, Text-to-Speech is completely free and great for when you can’t read, such as while driving or when you are too tired to read. The feature is also helpful for immersion reading .

To find out if a book supports Kindle Text-to-Speech, simply go to the product page of the Kindle book you’d like to purchase and look under the section labeled “Product details” to see if there is a line that says Text-to-Speech: Enabled .

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Text to Speech for Fire Tablets (4th Gen and Up)

To enable Text-to-Speech on newer Fire tablets, select a book that has the feature and follow these steps:

While reading, tap the middle of the screen, and then click on the menu icon in the upper right corner.
Select “Additional Settings,” and then hit the Text-to-Speech switch to enable it.
To hear the Kindle read out loud, tap the screen to reveal the progress bar and click “Play.”
If you want the narration to go faster or slower, you can select the “Narration Speed” icon.

Text to Speech for Older Kindle eReaders

Older eReaders, such as the Kindle Touch and the Kindle 2, can still narrate Kindle books with TTS capabilities. Follow these steps to enable Text to Speech on these older models:

Select the book you’d like to read.
Hit the key with “Aa.” If you’re using a Kindle Touch, tap the top of the screen to reveal the menu.
Scroll down until you see “Text-to-Speech,” and then hit “Turn On.”

How to Enable Text to Speech in the Kindle Mobile App

The free Kindle apps for iOS and Android devices offer Text-to-Speech capabilities, but the process looks a bit different than the TTS option for Kindle tablets. iOS devices work through a feature called “Speak Screen,” whereas Androids use Google Text-to-Speech. Here’s how to enable the audio feature depending on your device:

Open “Settings” on the device.
Select “General,” and then navigate to “Accessibility.”
Hit “Speech” and toggle “Speak Screen” on.
Open the Kindle app and select the book you want to read.
Activate Speak Screen by swiping two fingers down from the top of the screen. Your device should recognize this cue and begin reading the page out loud.

For Android:

Go to the Google Play store to install the Google Text-to-Speech app.
Once the app is finished downloading, go to your device’s settings and navigate to “Language & Input.” Hit “Text-to-Speech output.”
Choose “Google Text-to-Speech Engine” as your default engine.
Go to the Kindle app and open your preferred eBook.
Press the “Menu” button, followed by “Start Text-to-Speech” to have your device begin reading the text out loud.

How to Enable Kindle Text to Speech for PC

The Kindle Cloud Reader, available for Windows and Mac browsers, makes enabling the Text-to-Speech feature simple. Simply select the book you want to read, navigate to “Tools,” and then click “Start Text-to-Speech.” The narration should begin immediately.

For more Kindle tips and tricks, see Kindle: Tips for Beginners and Pros .

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How to Use Text-To-Speech on Amazon Kindle

Paurush dabbles around iOS and Mac while his close encounters are with Android and Windows. Before becoming a writer, he produced videos for brands like Mr. Phone and Digit. On weekends, he is a full-time cinephile trying to reduce his never-ending watchlist, often making it longer.

The text-to-speech feature on Kindle is called VoiceView Screen Reader.
You can use VoiceView Screen Reader on Kindle while driving or finishing your tasks.

Enable Text-To-Speech on Kindle

The VoiceView Screen Reader is an accessibility feature that lets you listen to Kindle books over Bluetooth. This feature is available for all Kindle models that support Bluetooth.

Step 1: On your Kindle home screen , tap the three vertical dots at the top-right corner and select Settings .

Step 2: Tap on Accessibility and select VoiceView Screen Reader .

Step 3: Enable the toggle for VoiceView Screen Reader .

Step 4: Keep your Bluetooth device in Pairing Mode while your Kindle device tries to connect with it.

Step 5: After your Kindle detects the Bluetooth device, hold two fingers on your Kindle screen to finish the pairing process.

After pairing your Bluetooth device, you will hear an audio response while navigating your Kindle. You must first select and then double-tap to use the feature or option.

Step 6: Go back and open the book you are reading to use the text-to-speech feature.

After opening your book, the feature will start working automatically.

Adjust Speech Rate on Kindle

Step 3: Tap on Speech Rate . Select the reading speed of your choice.

speech rate voiceview screen reader kindle

Step 5: Go back and tap on Volume . Select the text-to-speech volume level of your choice to make your Kindle read aloud.

To disconnect your Bluetooth device or connect to a previously added device, tap on Bluetooth Devices .

You can tap the toggle for VoiceView Screen Reader again and select Turn Off to disable it.

How to Fix Kindle Text-To-Speech Not Working or Keeps Stopping

If you can’t use the VoiceView Screen Reader feature on your Kindle, reconnect your Bluetooth device.

Step 1: On the Kindle home page , tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and select Settings .

Step 3: Tap on Bluetooth Devices . Select Bluetooth Wizard to disconnect your Kindle from all Bluetooth devices.

Step 5: Reconnect your Kindle with your Bluetooth device and check if the problem is solved.

Another reason the VoiceView Screen Reader is not working might be the low battery levels on your Kindle. We suggest charging it and checking back later to see if the problem is solved. Refer to our post if your Kindle is not charging .

If the problem continues, you might have to install a new Kindle software update. Here’s how to check for one.

Step 1: Tap the down arrow at the top of the Kindle screen to reveal more options. Then, select All Settings.

Step 2: Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and select Update Your Kindle .

If the option is greyed out, your Kindle is already running on the latest software version.

You can also refer to our post if your Kindle is not allowing you to save your highlights while reading ebooks.

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Last updated on 12 April, 2024

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

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How to Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle

Text-to-Speech (TTS) is one of the enhanced features that Kindle books have. This function allows your Kindle to read books to you. To access this feature, getting a TTS-enabled book is the first thing, and the second is to get a device supporting TTS.

Not all Kindle books support TTS, yet most of them do. If TTS is available for your Kindle book, you'll see " Text-to-Speech: Enabled " under the "Product details" on the product description page.

Updated: Besides use Text to Speech, there are many other better ways to listen to Kindle books. Here are all the best ways: How to Listen to Kindle Books: Turn Kindle Book into Audiobook .

Here in this post I'd like to clarify how to use Text-to-Speech on a variety of Kindle devices and apps.

Part 1. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle e-reader (older model) Part 2. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle e-reader via VoiceView Part 3. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle Fire Part 4. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle for PC Part 5. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle for iOS/Android

Part 1. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle e-reader (older model)

Text-to-Speech is accessible on those older model e-ink Kindles that Amazon has stopped producing, namely Kindle Touch, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 2 and Kindle DX. If you don't have any of them, you can skip this part. If you do, then access the TTS as follows.

Step 1 Open the book you want Kindle to read.

Step 2 Press the " Text " key. This key is labeled with " Aa ". If you own a Kindle Touch, just tap the top of the screen to bring up the " Menu ".

Step 3 Navigate down to " Text-to-Speech ", then select " Turn On " next to it. Then your Kindle begins to read the text aloud. Alternatively, on the Kindle Touch, tap " Turn On Text-to-Speech ". Listen with your Kindle's speaker, or through wired headphones if you prefer.

Part 2. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle e-reader via VoiceView

Technically newer Kindles do support a form of Text-to-Speech. More accurately, Amazon has brought an accessibility feature called VoiceView to Kindle e-readers; Text-to-Speech just happens to be a by-product of this feature. You can access VoiceView over Bluetooth or through the Kindle Audio Adapter.

2.1 Use VoiceView Over Bluetooth

You can use VoiceView with current e-reader models (Paperwhite 4, Oasis 2 and Kindle 8) when you connect to a Bluetooth audio device (like headphones).

Step 1 Turn on your Bluetooth device and set it to pairing mode.

Step 2 On your Kindle, navigate to " Settings ", " Accessibility " and then " VoiceView Screen Reader ".

Step 3 Toggle "VoiceView Screen Reader" on. Wait for a few seconds to hear audio VoiceView instructions to "Hold two fingers on the screen to use this audio device with VoiceView screen reader on Kindle." Once enabled, there's a tutorial and some settings become accessible.

2.2 Use VoiceView through Kindle Audio Adapter

VoiceView also works with some old Kindle (Kindle Paperwhite 3, Kindle Oasis and Kindle Voyage), but you have to use the Kindle Audio Adapter since they don't have Bluetooth.

Step 1 Plug the Micro-USB end of the adapter into your Kindle.

Step 3 Get Started with the VoiceView tutorial.

Voyage requires one additional step to use the adapter, but it's quite simple. That is, you have to download the audio files .

To be frank, for regular folks who just want to have TTS support on their Kindles, VoiceView is really cumbersome to use. You have to navigate the Kindle with a series of swipes at double-taps. After all, VoiceView is really aimed at visually impaired users, not for regular TTS function.

Part 3. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle Fire

Kindle Fire tablets get far better Text-to-Speech support than any e-ink Kindle has ever got, with surprisingly pleasant voices and more adjustable settings. Almost all Kindle Fire models support TTS, except the Kindle Fire 1st Generation. Here let me illustrate how to activate TTS on current models.

Step 1 Open the e-book you want to read to you.

Step 2 Tap the center of the screen, and then the menu icon in the top right corner.

Step 3 Tap " Additional Settings ", and then toggle " Text-to-Speech " on.

Step 4 In your Kindle book, tap the screen to show the progress bar, and then tap the " Play " icon to hear the content read aloud. You can also adjust reading speed by tapping the " Narration Speed " icon.

Tip : A number of extra voices can be installed to meet your preferences, including some foreign language voices. To get some of them, go to "Language" under "Settings".

Part 4. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle for PC

Text-to-Speech is also accessible on Kindle app for Windows and Mac (OSX 10.10 or above). This can easily read out text from speech-enabled books.

Step 1 Click on the book you wish to read.

Step 2 Navigate to " Tools ", and " Start Text-to-Speech ". Then the voice begins to talk.

The Windows and Mac version of this app are similar, yet the screenshots below are taken from the former.

Part 5. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle for iOS/Android

The native Kindle app for iOS or Android doesn't have Text-to-Speech feature normally. Still, you can use workarounds to read aloud the screen content.

5.1 Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle iOS

For an iOS device like iPhone or iPad, you can use a screen reading feature called Speak Screen, which works well with the Kindle app.

Step 1 Open " Settings " app.

Step 2 Select " General ", " Accessibility ", " Speech " and toggle " Speak Screen " on.

Step 3 Open the e-book you want read to you.

Step 4 Activate "Speak Screen" by swiping down with two fingers from the top of the screen. Once you device recognizes this gesture, it'll start reading.

5.2 Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle Android

With the Kindle app for Android, you can use Google Text-to-Speech designed to read the screen content aloud.

Step 1 Download and install the app.

Step 2 Navigate to " Settings ", "Language & Input" and then "Text-to-Speech output".

Step 3 Select " Google Text-to-Speech Engine " as your default engine.

Step 4 Open the e-book you want read to you.

Step 5 Press the " Menu " button, then select " Start Text-to-Speech ". Your device will start to read the text aloud.

Though Text-to-Speech enables your Kindle to read to you, some users prefer to listen to audiobooks from Audible. Audible books brings a more immersive listening experience, for they are professionally narrated by actors, authors or well-known public figures. While Audible has its own file format with DRM protection, don't despair. Audible books can be converted to other common formats like MP3 with Audible Converter , then you can play them on almost any audio device.

How to Convert Audiobook to MP3
Ultimate Way to Remove Audible DRM
Top 3 Ways to Split Audiobook into Chapters

Sophie works for Epubor and writes articles about ebooks, audiobooks and ereaders. She enjoys reading and wants to share everything new about reading.

I love your article. I am visually impaired. I would love to Learn to start reading my kindle books, and other text books With some type of audio output. I am somewhat technically Limited. I want something easy to use. I have also thought about getting a mp3. I used To have one using text-to-speech, but iTunes Quit supporting that. I use apple,iPad exclusively. Maybe you could give me a few tips.

Thanking you in advance, BOB MOORMAN.

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How to Use Kindle for Mac to Read Books and Make Notes on Your Mac

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For avid readers, Kindles and the Kindle app can provide the opportunity to read a lot without having to store a ton of books, and without needing to pay hardcover prices. You might already know you can use the Kindle app on your iPhone and iPad—but did you know you can use the app on your Mac, too?

Below, we’ll tell you how to install and use the Kindle app on your Mac, and show you some great features it has, so you can read voraciously on your computer as well as on your other devices.

How to Install and Set Up Kindle for Mac

The free Kindle for Mac app can be found in the Mac App Store , which you can open from your Dock or from your Applications folder.

Type "Kindle" into the App Store’s search bar to find it—it should use the same app image as the iPad, iPhone, and Android version of the Kindle app . When you find it, open its App Store page by clicking on it.

The Kindle Mac app page in the Mac App Store

On the Kindle for Mac App Store page, click the Get button and then the Install button to start downloading the Kindle app onto your Mac.

The download won’t begin until you input your Apple ID and password, but once that’s verified, you’ll see the progress bar appear.

Apple ID sign in prompt on the Mac App Store

Once the download is complete, click Open in the App Store to open the Kindle for Mac app, or you can navigate to your Mac Applications folder and click Kindle in there.

Kindle app in Applications folder on a MacBook Pro

The first time you open the Kindle app on your Mac, you’ll see a Register Kindle window. Here, you’ll need to sign in to the Amazon account you use or will be using to make Kindle purchases.

When you’re logged in, you’ll be brought into the normal main window of the Kindle for Mac app, which will list all the Kindle ebooks you have already purchased from Amazon.

Register Kindle screen and Amazon sign in in Kindle app for Mac

Haven’t gotten any Kindle books yet? There are a few ways to get free or cheap Kindle books that will show up in your Kindle for Mac library once you buy or select them for download.

Even if you have books in your Kindle library, they aren’t downloaded to your Kindle for Mac app right away. We’ll go over how to download and start reading your ebooks in the next section.

How to Read Kindle Books on a Mac

ebooks arrive in your Kindle library via cloud syncing. So long as your Kindle app is connected to the internet, any Amazon ebook purchase will appear in the app library within moments (unless they’re preorders; those will arrive on publication day).

Once a Kindle ebook is in your Kindle app library, you must download it to read it. To download an ebook in the Kindle for Mac app, just double-click on it.

A progress bar will appear, but not for long: ebooks download quickly. Kindle for Mac will open the book for you right away, and you can start reading or click the Library button to head back and download more ebooks.

Downloaded ebooks will show a checkmark on their cover in your Kindle for Mac library, along with a percentage completed tracker. They will also appear in the Downloaded section of the Library list.

Kindle for Mac main Library view with some ebooks downloaded to it

To read an ebook on Kindle for Mac, double-click on it to open it. Double-clicking will automatically bring you to the beginning of the ebook the first time you open it, and it’ll bring you to the last page you read every time after.

You can also Control-click on an ebook and select if you want to Go to Last Page Read , Go to Table of Contents , or Go to Beginning .

Kindle for Mac ebooks are read one page at a time, though you can change the column structure of the pages via icons at the top of the window.

The Reading view of the Kindle for Mac app

To navigate through pages, click on the left or right of the page you’re reading or hit the Left and Right Arrow Keys on your Mac’s keyboard. There’s also a marker at the bottom of the app window that you can click and drag to move quickly from one part of the book to another.

To jump to particular chapters or sections in your Kindle for Mac ebook, click the icon with three stacked lines beside three short lines to access the Table of Contents . From here, click on whichever chapter or header you want to start reading from.

Table of Contents of an ebook open on Kindle for Mac

If you need to search for a particular term in your ebook, you can do that by hitting the magnifying glass icon and typing in whatever term you want to search for.

Kindle app search function being used on ebook

Want to hear your ebook read out loud? Click Tools > Start Text-to-Speech or hit Cmd + T to have your Mac read the ebook text out to you with its Spoken Content voice, moving you through pages as it goes. Hit Cmd + T again or Tools > Stop Text-to-Speech to stop it.

Start Text-to-Speech menu option selected in Kindle for Mac app

If you want to remove an ebook from your Kindle for Mac app because you’ve completed it, or don’t want to read it on your Mac anymore, Control-click on its cover in your Library. Select Remove From Device from the menu that appears—the book will return to the Kindle cloud, still visible on Kindle for Mac, but no longer taking up memory space there.

Remove From Device selected from ebook right click menu on Kindle for Mac

Change the Look of Your Kindle for Mac ebook

Any ebook will default to the design the publisher made for it when you first open it in Kindle for Mac. But you can change the font, font size, text alignment, line spacing, page width, brightness and color mode (aka page and text color) of what you’re reading in the app by hitting the Aa icon at the top of the page.

The menu for changing font, font size, and more on Kindle for Mac

Font size, page width, and brightness are all adjusted by clicking and dragging along a scale, while alignment, line spacing, and color mode give you options to select. The font is changed in a dropdown menu and includes an option that is easier for people with dyslexia to read.

You can change these features at any time to make reading on your Mac the most pleasant experience possible.

Kindle for Mac’s Notebook Feature

You might find, when you first open an ebook or use Kindle for Mac for the first time, the Notebook is open in one part of the app. The Notebook is a place you can see all your Bookmarks , as well as any Notes and Highlights you make in the ebook.

Bookmarks let you save where you are, or save pages you may frequently visit again, like maps. To leave a bookmark, hit the bookmark icon at the top of the Kindle window, or click the top-right part of an ebook page. To navigate back to a bookmark, click on it within the Notebook Bookmark list.

If you want to make a highlight, click and drag to select the text on the ebook page that you’d like to highlight. You can only highlight word by word. Once you have text selected, release your click, and a menu will appear letting you choose between four colors for your highlight.

You can also click Add Note from the selected text menu to type out any thoughts you had while reading. Just click Save when you’re done typing in the text window that appears.

You can add notes to highlights within the Notebook by clicking on the Add a note section beneath a highlight you made, then type out your thoughts.

Adding note to a highlight in Notebook on Kindle for Mac

You can export all your notes and highlights by hitting the Export button in Notebook. It creates and saves an HTML file to your Mac that you can open and print, or open as a webpage and save as a PDF .

Export Notes initial window in Kindle for Mac

Need to delete some highlights or notes in your ebook? Click on the three dot icon to the right of their entries in the Notebook, and select Delete note or Delete highlight .

Delete note and Delete highlight options in Kindle for Mac Notebook

You can also create flashcards out of your notes and highlights by hitting the + Flashcards button in the Notebook. You can edit and run through these flashcards whenever you want by clicking on the overlapping rectangle icon on the left-most menu of the Kindle for Mac window.

Kindle for Mac app flashcards being used

If you don’t want to see the Notebook, just hit the Hide Notebook button at the top of the window and it’ll go away. You can hit the Show Notebook button to bring the Notebook back at any time.

Kindle for Mac Lets You Read Tons

Like its iPad and iPhone equivalents, the Kindle app for Mac lets you read tons of ebooks you buy on Amazon, and even take notes on them as you go. It’s a great option if you want to read on your Mac desktop or laptop, and we highly recommend it!

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The eBook Reader Blog keeps you updated on the latest ereader and tablet news, reviews, and tutorials.

Kindle Apps Now Have Assistive Reader Feature (Text to Speech)

June 14, 2024 by Nathan 15 Comments

Over the past couple months I’ve seen a number of reports of people saying the Kindle apps for Android and iOS now support text-to-speech through a new “Assistive Reader” feature that Amazon has quietly added without saying anything about it.

In fact, someone left a comment here two months ago about the new Assistive Reader feature so I’ve been wiating for it to show up on my devices, but it still isn’t available on my Android phone or iPad, even though the Kindle app has been updated to the latest version on both, so apparently it’s device dependant and some older models aren’t getting this new feature for some reason.

You can check if your device has the Assistive Reader function by tapping the Aa button on the top menu within a book and then selecting More .

You also have the option to turn real-time text highlighting on and off so you can listen to text-to-speech while reading along with highlighted text if you want to, like the Immersive Reading feature that’s available when you own both the ebook and the Audible audiobook.

Keep in mind, not all Kindle ebooks support text-to-speech so it might not be available with certain titles. You can check the product page at Amazon for each book and in the details section it says if TTS in enabled or not.

It’s weird how Amazon doesn’t mention the new feature anywhere. The app update history doesn’t say anything about it on Android or iOS, but maybe it’s because the feature isn’t available on all devices. Amazon has a tendency to leave out these kinds of details in release notes with Kindles and Kindles apps so you never really know what new features you’re going to find after an update.

If you’ve tried the new Assistive Reader feature let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Reader Interactions

June 17, 2024 at 6:46 am

Interesting! I did not know about this. I checked on my iPhone SE (2nd Gen) and iPad (8th Gen) and both devices have this. I’m not sure if it’s something I’d use, but it’s good to see that it is available in the apps.

June 17, 2024 at 9:21 am

This is something I definitely want in my android kindle apps. But don’t have yet.

June 19, 2024 at 7:09 pm

They basically just allowed the built-in TTS that the phone already has. I tried it and hated it. It is not Voiceview that you find on the kindle devices. Voiceview on the devices is so much better than what other devices offer.

June 25, 2024 at 7:46 pm

Sucks!!! I listen to books while I’m at work. Can’t close the tablet cover like usual have it leave it open. When kindle “sleeps” the reading stops. This change just started in the middle of reading a book. Horrible feature

June 26, 2024 at 9:42 am

So true! This will greatly hurt book sales!!

June 26, 2024 at 8:32 pm

I absolutely hate this. Give me back my old text to speech. I can’t imagine why anyone would think this is an improvement. Having to keep the screen open while your Kindle is reading to you makes no sense. I am now searching for an alternative reader after being a loyal Kindle owner (nine purchased) for many years.

June 28, 2024 at 3:23 pm

I hate it. I listen to books while I am working. I can not close my fire because the additive reader shuts off. I am 75 and TTS is a blessing. Very upset.

June 28, 2024 at 5:01 pm

Just discovered my kindle fire has now got Assistive Reader on it. It’s awful!!!

Bring back Text to speech. Why not allow the listener to choose which way they want to listen!!

July 1, 2024 at 12:29 pm

I agree!! This is how I got around it. Mind you I pretty much only use the tablet for kindles text to speech, so I don’t really have alot to lose if I did a factory rest. So if you have you stuff backed up on another device factory reset it. It will be like brand new in the box, which has the old version of kindle with the original TTS. It takes amazon a while to see that your our of date and forces a update. Also important is to turn off automatic updates, like it updates while you sleep. So I open the kindle app put my login info in it syncs your library and all open books even from previous version before the reset that is stored on Amazon servers not your device. I know I’m saying obvious stuff to most of you just info for the rest. After this is done you go to the pull down window and turn on airplane mode. It will turn off the wifi and Bluetooth but Bluetooth works in airplane mode so just turn it back on. There is a few extra steps to add new books because wifi will not be available in airplane mode. When you want a book you can turn off wifi and look on kindle** this had never happened to me so far so if it does just repeat the steps but they will not update the app while your in use of it** so find your book download it to your kindle .Also if you have a phone with kindle some times it easier to search for a book on ther and download it, once its in your library you can turn on the wifi download the book then turn airplane back on IMPORTANT you need to make sure it’s back in airplane mode, Amazon can’t connect with your device in this mode so there is no update. This is how I do it im sure there are easier ways but for those that would like to have it now. As always this is a do at your own risk I am not responsible for any devices that won’t work if done improperly. Happy reading

July 5, 2024 at 10:52 pm

This feature appeared on my Kindle and so far has ruined it for how I use text to speech. I used to be able to start playing text to speech then turn the screen off and carry the kindle around.. It now stops as soon as I turn the screen off. I hope to find a work around but so far have not. I wish they had left my kindle alone.

July 25, 2024 at 9:10 pm

Same complaint that everybody else has about not being able to close my Fire, which is annoying and eats my battery. The other sneaky thing they have done is take away the ability to have docs read. I use to be a reviewer and have a lot of ARCs. With TTS I’ve never had an issue having a doc read. I’ve read the directions Amazon provides for AR and they do seem to drill the point about Kindle books.

July 26, 2024 at 7:07 am

This feature is massively intrusive and a serious pain in the you-know-what. The kindle app on my phone is defaulting to it when I’m listening to an audio book, despite it being supposed to not work where Audible already provides narration. Is there any way to simply turn it off?

August 18, 2024 at 2:17 pm

I’m in the minority here, but to be honest I wasn’t using TTS on my phone (I can’t seem to change the voice from male to female.

I have however been able to use it, very successfully, on my Amazon Echo Dot. I have changed the voice to female anyway. English speaker. I was also able to slow the narration speed to 90%. This suits me really well. I much prefer audiobooks, but not all Kindle books are available in that format, so this has been to my immense satisfaction.

Additionally, I have found an author who narrates her own books. She. Is. Awful! I have now stopped purchasing her titles in Audible and because the ebooks are part of Kindle Unlimited, I can obtain them, without additional cost and to my relief (but not surprise), the Kindle Assisted Reader is far superior to the author’s narration.

I haven’t had the same experience with the App, so I understand the aversion.

August 18, 2024 at 6:54 pm

Trying to figure out WHY Amazon did this change. I’m assuming that they wanted to discourage folks from just listening to books everyday because each book costs Amazon some money. By making it inconvenient to listen due to “assistive reading”, they discourage folks from using Kindle Unlimited and listening to 5 books a week. Hard to price that into their “unlimited” kindle option. That said, I’ll make sure I check out at least 3-5 books every week on my Kindle Unlimited, regardless of whether I read them or not. Pretty sure Amazon will need to pay the Royalty charge regardless if I read every page or not.

August 21, 2024 at 11:05 am

I have new iPhone 15, but nothing happens when I double-finger swipe. [I had an easy short-cut on my ipone8. ] very frustrating.

Kindle Text to Speech: How to Make Kindle Read to You [Guide]

Will Kindle read to you? A Kindle text-to-speech is a feature of the Kindle app to lets users read the ebook aloud. Imagine a case where you are doing your dishes but want to read an ebook on Kindle.

Most eBooks on Kindle support text-to-speech ; you will see the TTS icon on the ebook to confirm so. Besides, you can use the Kindle text to speech on Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android. However, newer options, such as Kindle Scribe and Kindle Cloud Reader, let you access your eBooks online and listen to them.

All that has been included in this post. Read on!

Part 1: How to Use Kindle Text to Speech on Kindle Scribe

Many Kindle users often ask, “can kindle read to you?” If you have the same question, we will show you how to get Kindle to read to you in different ways. Let’s begin by seeing how that works out using Kindle Scribe. The steps below show how to enable Kindle text-to-speech and use it to read your favorite ebook.

Step 1. Open your Kindle Scribe and access the ebook you wish to listen to.

Step 2. When the ebook opens, tap on the screen and click the menu icon AA at the top right corner.

Step 3. Click on the More option.

Step 4. Locate the Text-to-Speech option and enable the switch next to it.

Step 5. Tap on the screen in your Kindle book and click the Play icon.

The Kindle app will read the ebook; you can listen to it while doing other tasks through your earphones or the speaker. You can even highlight what text to read using a stylus pen; the text-to-speech will read the particular text instead of the entire book.

Part 2: How to Use Kindle Text to Speech on a Windows PC or a Mac

How to make Kindle read to you also applies when using a PC or Mac. Follow the below steps for each case.

#1. For Mac or PC

With the Kindle app installed on your Mac or PC, use the steps below to enable the Kindle text-to-speech.

Step 1. Open the Kindle app and access the target book.

Step 2. Tap on the Tools option at the top.

Step 3. Click the Start Text-to-Speech option.

That’s how to enable Kindle text to speech on a PC or Mac.

#2. For PC Only

You can also use the below steps on your PC.

Step 1 . Click the Start key and open Settings.

Step 2. Navigate to Accessibility and tap on the Narrator option.

Step 3. Enable the Narrator switch to activate it.

Step 4. Open Kindle and access your target eBook.

The narrator will read the text on your screen, and you can turn it off once you finish reading it.

You May Also Like: Best Online Cartoon Character Voice Generator to Create Voice Over for Free

Part 3: How to Use Kindle Text to Speech on iOS Device

How to make Kindle read to you is also possible on your iOS. You can enable the text to Speech Kindle option on your iOS and utilize it to read aloud any eBooks or other texts on your screen. Follow the below steps.

Step 1 . On your iOS, open the Settings app.

Step 2. Click on the General section and tap the Accessibility option.

Step 3. Click the VoiceOver option and click on speech.

Step 4. Enable the Speak Screen option.

Step 5. Access the Notification Center of your iOS and turn on/off the Speak Screen.

Step 6. Open Kindle and access your eBook.

The text-to-speech will read aloud your eBook and any other text on your screen. You can turn off the feature when you no longer need it. You can tap the narration speed icon on the screen to adjust the book’s reading speed. If you get stuck, check out this video on enabling the speak screen feature on iOS.

Part 4: How to Use Kindle Text to Speech on Android Device

Does Kindle read to you on Android? It’s possible to use text to Speech on Android using the below steps.

Step 1. Download and install the Kindle Text to Speech Android app .

Step 2. Open Settings on your Android device.

Step 3. Click on the General Management option.

Step 4. Tap the text to speech output option.

Step 5. Set Google’s text-to-speech engine as your default option.

Step 6. Open Kindle and access the book you wish to read.

Step 7. Tap on the Menu button and click the “ Start text to speech ” option.

With that, you will have made Kindle read to you on Android. All you need is to get the Kindle text to speech feature enabled in the Android app.

Part 5: How to Use Kindle Text to Speech on Kindle Cloud Reader

You don’t need the Kindle app text to speech to access eBooks. If you have an Amazon account, you can utilize the Kindle cloud reader option to access eBooks via the browser without needing any app installed. Use the below steps.

Step 1. Open the Kindle Cloud reader on your browser.

Step 2. Locate the Kindle Store option at the top and click on it.

Step 3. Find the book you want to read and tap on it.

Step 4. Access the free version, if available, or purchase it.

Step 5. Click on the book to start reading it.

Step 6. Click on the More option.

Step 7. Locate the Text-to-Speech option and enable the switch next to it.

Step 8. Tap on the screen in your Kindle book and click the Play icon.

That’s it. You’ve enabled the Kindle text to speech on the Kindle cloud reader. You can sign in on different browsers to access your eBooks and sync them across any browser you’ve logged into your Amazon account.

FineVoice: A More Advanced and Versatile Voice Generator

Although we’ve described different ways of using Kindle text-to-speech, there is an advanced option of using FineVoice . It’s a versatile AI voice studio with numerous features, including being a text-to-speech reader for Kindle.

Its powerful text-to-speech service supports voices 500+ realistic voices in over 40 languages. Access numerous funny voices of anime, cartoons, and celebrities like Hatsune Miku and Donald Trump from the AI Voice Model Library for all your voice needs.

Unlike a Kindle text-to-speech, FineVoice can work with any browser and numerous apps, and using it is straightforward. Moreover, you can use it with any book, even those not supporting text-to-speech, on the Kindle app.

Are you ready to try the best Kindle text-to-speech alternative? Get started with the FineVoice. You will love it!

Having a way to read aloud eBooks on Kindle is handy. If you were curious how to get Kindle to read to you, this post has detailed the various methods you can use, including a Kindle audio reader for Android, iOS, Mac, and PC.

Moreover, we’ve introduced a better Kindle text-to-speech alternative involving FineVoice. Hopefully, you can now get the best out of Kindle text to speech.

#1. How do I know if a book supports Kindle text to speech?

Go to the product page of the Kindle book on Amazon and look under the section labeled “Product details” to see if there is a line that says Text-to-Speech: Enabled. You can also filter your search results by selecting “Text-to-Speech Enabled” under the “Features & Details” category on the left side of the page.

#2. How do I change the voice or speed of the narration?

Use the settings on your device or app. For example, on an iOS device, you can tap on the Speak Screen toolbar to adjust the voice dialect and speed. On a Windows PC or a Mac, you can go to Tools > Options > Text-to-Speech in the Kindle app to select your preferred voice and speed.

#3. How do I turn off Kindle text to speech?

To turn off Kindle text-to-speech, you can use the same steps as you used to turn it on, but in reverse.

Sylvia enjoys writing and in her spare time, she likes to watch sci-fi movies and novels.

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Best text-to-speech software of 2024

Boosting accessibility and productivity

Best overall
Best realism
Best for developers
Best for podcasting
How we test

Finding the best text-to-speech software is key for anyone looking to transform written text into spoken words, whether for accessibility purposes, productivity enhancement, or creative applications like voice-overs in videos.

Text-to-speech (TTS) technology relies on sophisticated algorithms to model natural language to bring written words to life, making it easier to catch typos or nuances in written content when it's read aloud. So, unlike the best speech-to-text apps and best dictation software , which focus on converting spoken words into text, TTS software specializes in the reverse process: turning text documents into audio. This technology is not only efficient but also comes with a variety of tools and features. For those creating content for platforms like YouTube , the ability to download audio files is a particularly valuable feature of the best text-to-speech software.

While some standard office programs like Microsoft Word and Google Docs offer basic TTS tools, they often lack the comprehensive functionalities found in dedicated TTS software. These basic tools may provide decent accuracy and basic options like different accents and languages, but they fall short in delivering the full spectrum of capabilities available in specialized TTS software.

To help you find the best text-to-speech software for your specific needs, TechRadar Pro has rigorously tested various software options, evaluating them based on user experience, performance, output quality, and pricing. This includes examining the best free text-to-speech software as well, since many free options are perfect for most users. We've brought together our picks below to help you choose the most suitable tool for your specific needs, whether for personal use, professional projects, or accessibility requirements.

The best text-to-speech software of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the entries on our best text-to-speech software list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best text-to-speech software overall

1. NaturalReader

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

If you’re looking for a cloud-based speech synthesis application, you should definitely check out NaturalReader. Aimed more at personal use, the solution allows you to convert written text such as Word and PDF documents, ebooks and web pages into human-like speech.

Because the software is underpinned by cloud technology, you’re able to access it from wherever you go via a smartphone, tablet or computer. And just like Capti Voice, you can upload documents from cloud storage lockers such as Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive.

Currently, you can access 56 natural-sounding voices in nine different languages, including American English, British English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch. The software supports PDF, TXT, DOC(X), ODT, PNG, JPG, plus non-DRM EPUB files and much more, along with MP3 audio streams.

There are three different products: online, software, and commercial. Both the online and software products have a free tier.

Read our full NaturalReader review .

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The best text-to-speech software for realistic voices

Specializing in voice synthesis technology, Murf uses AI to generate realistic voiceovers for a range of uses, from e-learning to corporate presentations.

Murf comes with a comprehensive suite of AI tools that are easy to use and straightforward to locate and access. There's even a Voice Changer feature that allows you to record something before it is transformed into an AI-generated voice- perfect if you don't think you have the right tone or accent for a piece of audio content but would rather not enlist the help of a voice actor. Other features include Voice Editing, Time Syncing, and a Grammar Assistant.

The solution comes with three pricing plans to choose from: Basic, Pro and Enterprise. The latter of these options may be pricey but some with added collaboration and account management features that larger companies may need access to. You can try the service out for free for up to 10 minutes, without downloads.

The best text-to-speech software for developers

3. Amazon Polly

Alexa isn’t the only artificial intelligence tool created by tech giant Amazon as it also offers an intelligent text-to-speech system called Amazon Polly. Employing advanced deep learning techniques, the software turns text into lifelike speech. Developers can use the software to create speech-enabled products and apps.

It sports an API that lets you easily integrate speech synthesis capabilities into ebooks, articles and other media. What’s great is that Polly is so easy to use. To get text converted into speech, you just have to send it through the API, and it’ll send an audio stream straight back to your application.

You can also store audio streams as MP3, Vorbis and PCM file formats, and there’s support for a range of international languages and dialects. These include British English, American English, Australian English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Danish and Russian.

Polly is available as an API on its own, as well as a feature of the AWS Management Console and command-line interface. In terms of pricing, you’re charged based on the number of text characters you convert into speech.

The best text-to-speech software for podcasting

In terms of its library of voice options, it's hard to beat Play.ht as one of the best text-to-speech software tools. With almost 600 AI-generated voices available in over 60 languages, it's likely you'll be able to find a voice to suit your needs.

Although the platform isn't the easiest to use, there is a detailed video tutorial to help users if they encounter any difficulties. All the usual features are available, including Voice Generation and Audio Analytics.

In terms of pricing, Play.ht comes with four plans: Personal, Professional, Growth, and Business. These range widely in price, but it depends if you need things like commercial rights and affects the number of words you can generate each month.

The best text-to-speech software for Mac and iOS

Website screenshot for Voice Dream Reader

5. Voice Dream Reader

There are also plenty of great text-to-speech applications available for mobile devices, and Voice Dream Reader is an excellent example. It can convert documents, web articles and ebooks into natural-sounding speech.

The app comes with 186 built-in voices across 30 languages, including English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese and Korean.

You can get the software to read a list of articles while you drive, work or exercise, and there are auto-scrolling, full-screen and distraction-free modes to help you focus. Voice Dream Reader can be used with cloud solutions like Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud Drive, Pocket, Instapaper and Evernote.

The best text-to-speech software: FAQs

What is the best text-to-speech software for youtube.

If you're looking for the best text-to-speech software for YouTube videos or other social media platforms, you need a tool that lets you extract the audio file once your text document has been processed. Thankfully, that's most of them. So, the real trick is to select a TTS app that features a bountiful choice of natural-sounding voices that match the personality of your channel.

What’s the difference between web TTS services and TTS software?

Web TTS services are hosted on a company or developer website. You’ll only be able to access the service if the service remains available at the whim of a provider or isn’t facing an outage.

TTS software refers to downloadable desktop applications that typically won’t rely on connection to a server, meaning that so long as you preserve the installer, you should be able to use the software long after it stops being provided.

Do I need a text-to-speech subscription?

Subscriptions are by far the most common pricing model for top text-to-speech software. By offering subscription models for, companies and developers benefit from a more sustainable revenue stream than they do from simply offering a one-time purchase model. Subscription models are also attractive to text-to-speech software providers as they tend to be more effective at defeating piracy.

Free software options are very rarely absolutely free. In some cases, individual voices may be priced and sold individually once the application has been installed or an account has been created on the web service.

How can I incorporate text-to-speech as part of my business tech stack?

Some of the text-to-speech software that we’ve chosen come with business plans, offering features such as additional usage allowances and the ability to have a shared workspace for documents. Other than that, services such as Amazon Polly are available as an API for more direct integration with business workflows.

Small businesses may find consumer-level subscription plans for text-to-speech software to be adequate, but it’s worth mentioning that only business plans usually come with the universal right to use any files or audio created for commercial use.

How to choose the best text-to-speech software

When deciding which text-to-speech software is best for you, it depends on a number of factors and preferences. For example, whether you’re happy to join the ecosystem of big companies like Amazon in exchange for quality assurance, if you prefer realistic voices, and how much budget you’re playing with. It’s worth noting that the paid services we recommend, while reliable, are often subscription services, with software hosted via websites, rather than one-time purchase desktop apps.

Also, remember that the latest versions of Microsoft Word and Google Docs feature basic text-to-speech as standard, as well as most popular browsers. So, if you have access to that software and all you’re looking for is a quick fix, that may suit your needs well enough.

How we test the best text-to-speech software

We test for various use cases, including suitability for use with accessibility issues, such as visual impairment, and for multi-tasking. Both of these require easy access and near instantaneous processing. Where possible, we look for integration across the entirety of an operating system , and for fair usage allowances across free and paid subscription models.

At a minimum, we expect an intuitive interface and intuitive software. We like bells and whistles such as realistic voices, but we also appreciate that there is a place for products that simply get the job done. Here, the question that we ask can be as simple as “does this piece of software do what it's expected to do when asked?”

Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar .

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John (He/Him) is the Components Editor here at TechRadar and he is also a programmer, gamer, activist, and Brooklyn College alum currently living in Brooklyn, NY.

Named by the CTA as a CES 2020 Media Trailblazer for his science and technology reporting, John specializes in all areas of computer science, including industry news, hardware reviews, PC gaming, as well as general science writing and the social impact of the tech industry.

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5 Best (TTS) Text To Speech For Mac

Whether you prefer articles read to you while you do something else or trying to grasp a new foreign language or even for specially abled students, TTS (short for text-to-speech) has proved to be very useful.

In our previous articles we saw some of the best text to speech apps for Windows and Android . And today, we take a look at some of the best TTS options available for Macs.

Table of Contents

Text To Speech For Mac

1. macos tts.

Before we get too ahead of ourselves and start downloading third party apps, it is very trivial to know that macOS itself comes with a built-in TTS and you can use it anywhere on your computer from the Notes app to any browser.

To get started, highlight or select the text which you want to be read and then right click, go to Speech and then to Start Speaking; and your Mac should start reading the text to you. It also supports a lot of other languages other than English and there are a lot of voices to choose from in all the languages. To change the language option simply go to Accessibility > Speech . Although some voices are very robotic, there are a few which aren’t and sound more like a human.

But the TTS is far from perfect; it is very basic and barebones and lacks options like pause/play, picking up from a selected word instantly and a lot more.

Quick Tip: It blew my mind and might even blow yours to know that the native TTS on Mac also supports converting your text into audio files. Just select the required text, right click and go to Services > Add to iTunes as a spoken track . The text will be converted to an audio track and added to your iTunes library.

Pros: – Built-in system wide – Lots of voice options – Converting text to iTunes track

Cons: – No Pause/Play – Have to select manually all the words to be read – No instant pickup

Verdict: Overall, the TTS that comes with macOS is very barebones without all the bells and whistles and should be perfect for somebody looking for a basic TTS experience without even buying or installing any third party software.

2. Invicta TTS

Invicta TTS is a very simple free Text To Speech app available on the Mac App Store. Once you open up the app, it presents you with a text box where you can enter or paste any text which will be then converted to speech. The app is very lightweight and minimal in nature with everything being to the point.

Although the app is very basic, unlike the built in TTS of Mac OS, it does add the option of playing or pausing the audio which becomes crucial when listening to long texts or articles. The voice settings cannot be changed but the in built voice does the job pretty good enough.

Pros: – Minimal and Light – Play/Pause Option

Cons: – Cannot read documents automatically – Supports only English

Verdict: If you need a simple and light TTS app and might be listening to long articles, Invicta TTS does the job pretty well but do remember that it can only read English.

Link: Get Invicta TTS on the App Store

Price: Free

3. Natural Reader

The next app on our list is Natural Reader which is an extremely powerful TTS software available not only on Mac OS but also on Windows, iOS, Android and even has an online reader.

The app comes in many flavours, each with its fair share of features for the price. The free version comes with basic TTS features along with the ability to read directly from file formats such as Docx, PDF, ePub and Txt. It also has a floating bar which can be used to read text while you are in other applications. The next option or the Personal version, at a steep $100, allows you to read web pages directly, converting text to audio files and syncing everything between your phone apps. There are also Professional and Ultimate versions which add OCR support and a bunch of natural voices.

Pros: – Support for file formats – Convert to audio files – Cross Platform – OCR Support

Cons: – Pricey – No instant pickup

Verdict: All the features of Natural Reader definitely come at a price and you should be able to decide whether it is a suit for you with respect to your investment in TTS, but even for a casual user the free version works really well. Overall, Natural reader is not just best text to speech software with natural voices, but since it also support PDF, it’s also a good option for those who are looking for PDF Voice Reader for macOS.

Pricing Options: Pricing for Natural Reader

Link: Download Natural Reader from here

4. Read Aloud

Read Aloud is not exactly a stand alone Mac app but instead a Chrome extension which might appeal to some people. Considering how many posts and articles are read on the internet everyday, we had to include Read Aloud.

It is completely free and once you install it, its icon will appear in the extension bar which you can now use to read any webpage or any online article, just by a single click. When it is in work, you get a play/pause button along with a forward or rewind button which can be used to advance or backtrack paragraphs. Considering it is free, the voice options are really good and feel very natural and premium.

Pros: – Great natural voice – Forward or rewind by paragraphs – Listen to webpages

Cons: – Works only on Chrome

Verdict: Suggesting Read Aloud is very straight forward; if you are someone who reads a lot on the internet and are looking for a free TTS software for that, nothing beats Read Aloud.

Link: Download Read Aloud from the Chrome Store

5. Capti Voice

Capti Voice is probably the most polished and well rounded TTS software available for the Mac and the award are only there to justify that. Starting off, Capti Voice uses your browser for the app to function instead of a stand alone Mac application. Don’t worry, you can still use it while you are offline as it stores all its data locally and personally I have had no issues.

Capti Voice has a subscription based model and even the free version has a lot to offer from various file format supports to text search while the premium versions add features like creating playlists, OCR Support and intelligent dictionary lookup. The voices offered across all the platforms are very high quality and commendable.

Quick Tip: Don’t forget to use the Chrome extension which allows you to save articles or webpages to be read later by Capti Voice.

Pros: – Cross platform with mobile apps – Create Playlists – Dictionary lookup – Shortcuts to get around

Cons: – No standalone app – Syncs only when you add to cloud storage

Verdict: Overall, Capti Voice is a really compelling app with features packed to the brim and is very similar to natural Reader but with a subscription based model. It is really the best TTS experience you can get on Mac OS.

Pricing Info: Pricing Options for Capti Voice

Link: Download Capti Voice from here

6. Honorable Mentions

CereProc has some of the most natural sounding computer speeches available on the market, which you can use to replace the default voice on your Mac (also available for other platforms). There are a lot of high quality voice packs to choose from and each costs around $35.

Zamzar is a free online service which you can use to convert your text to audio files or mp3s. Unlike the iTunes spoken track which you can use only on Apple devices, you can use it on any platform without any hassle.

Wrapping up: Best Text to Speech for Mac

So these were some of the TTS software available on the Mac and we hope we made your decision a little bit easier. If you are someone who reads mainly on the internet, Read Aloud is by far the best free option. Although a little limited, the built-in TTS feature seems to work just fine, but it can be a pain for long stretches of texts or long articles for which there is Invicta which is also free.

Natural Reader and Capti Voice both are spectacular TTS apps with a lot of plans to choose from, but I guess what it comes down to is the paying model. Natural reader is a one time purchase and should be better if you feel you will be invested in TTS for a long time whereas Capti Voice follows a subscription based model also with a one week free trial. Thanks for reading and do comment below which one is your favorite TTS app on Mac OS.

Read: Make your Devices Read Out Text, With Text to Speech

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Speech Central: Text to Speech 4+

Voice reader pdf, web, books.

4.1 • 287 Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

You'll love Speech Central because it has both the best feature set among text-to-speech apps and the best pricing among high quality voice reader apps on the Store. To no surprise it is the most popular choice among the Mac users in this category. Here are just some of our outstanding features: ◦ The best text-to-speech experience - our proprietary engine significantly enhances the output of Apple's voices and AI voices by infusing their readings with emotion and variation. ◦ The best PDF support in text to speech apps - your reading flow will not be interrupted by footers, headers, footnotes and long web links as they are detected by the advanced artificial intelligence in most cases. No other app has this feature. Even the scanned PDF documents are imported. ◦ The best web support in text to speech apps - for the first time you can listen everything as both articles and headlines (including RSS feeds) are supported. Articles can be added from the headlines page for fully uninterrupted flow. And you can send articles from any browser with the Pocket extension. ◦ The widest support for documents/office and e-book formats. ◦ Knowledge and text annotation tools built-in. ◦ The widest choice of options to customize the voice, appearance and various other parameters ◦ Export the text with annotations to .docx format ◦ Sync playlist across Apple devices including with the iOS app and the current position in the text. ◦ The widest selection of keyboard shortcuts to control the speed and browse the text that is read aloud. ◦ The app can be used with dozens of languages that have text-to-speech support on the device with automatic language detection from the content. ◦ Export the text to the audio file using Apple voices. ◦ The app is tested to be accessible by legally blind users. ◦ Your data stays truly private, we collect only analytics data with no identifiable reference to the user or imported content. Even when the syncing is enabled. With over 20,000 licenses sold and consistent ratings above 4 stars Speech Central is one of the leading global text-to-speech brands. It was nominated for the best iOS accessible app in 2020 and 2017 on AppleVis, the leading authority in the field of accessibility on Apple devices. Reinvent your life, if you are busy cut the time you spend in front of the screen and listen to the news articles, documents and e-books while you are doing housework or even commuting and jogging (by using the audio files). The app can be used as an assistive technology and helper for people with visual impairments (eyesight problems) and disabilities like dyslexia. Supported document types are: PDF (including scanned documents), Microsoft Word (.docx), Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx), OpenOffice/LibreOffice (.odt, .odp), .html, .mhtml, .webarchive, .txt, .rtf, supported ebook format is .epub. Get the app now and enjoy the most convenient text to audio! Don't forget to check Speech Central for iOS - you can listen items imported from the Mac for free. Notes: - Some features are available only on the latest version of the operating system. - The license is valid only for macOS. Other operating systems have separate licenses. - DRM protected books (e.g. Kindle books) are locked to their respective vendor apps and cannot be imported into the app. - AI based features may not work as expected in minority of cases

Version 15.7.0

- Optimized for macOS 15 Sequoia - Paste and Read command (Command + Shift + V) (on macOS 15 Sequoia also available from toolbar via the Option key)

Ratings and Reviews

287 Ratings

Acouple of issues...

I'm an IT pro (All Apple since 1982) and for the past 3 decades a novelist as well. On my previous MBP I used GhostReader Plus with high quality voices from Acapela Group. Unfortunately, that program is discontinued and the version I have does not work properly in Ventura. My question/complaint/issue is that GhostRead Pro understood the rules of punctuation, Speech Central: Text to Speech (S.C.T.S) has some issues in that area. Comma’s seem to have a bit of a pause so I think they’re passably OK. Periods, Question Marks & Exclamation Points, not so much. Periods represent a full stop: That is, a pause typically equal to the length of a full breath or a silent count of one or two. When reading aloud, that pause signals the end of a sentence. Unfortunately, S.C.T.S blows through periods faster than a teenager on a back county road. For timing, Question Marks should have a pause similar to a period. Additionally, a rise in intonation indicates to the listener that a question has been asked. Like periods, Exclamation points also indicate a pause in the reading and are sometimes accompanied by a change in tone to convey excitement or emphasis. Not having these vocal cues can, and in a longer reading will, result in confusion for the listener. Listening is, after all, the reason for text to speech in the first place. Other than those issues, the program seems pretty solid. If they get resolved, it’s a solid 5 stars in my book.

One of the best text to speech apps I've used. My favorite feature is the little bar that follows the text (helps so much with concentration). My only complaints are 1) limited options for speech rate (1.5x,2x,3x etc instead of words per minute) and 2) doesn't allow you to copy and paste from the window to take notes in another app. I also wish the playback was a bit more exact. Instead of jumping to the next paragraph I wish it would have an option to replay the last sentence, or even let you click on a point in the paragraph for it to start at, rather than having to start the whole paragraph over.

Excellent program

I had several bugs upon the update, and I did email the developer, but they did not receive it. This program got me through undergrad and grad school. In the interim, most of these functions have actually started working just fine. I would say that the vast majority of things are better than the previous version. One issue I’m still having is bookmarks. I am making sure my documents have proper headings, but, there are no bookmarks coming through in the software. I am also having some trouble with some very large files. However, it’s very convenient that when I add more files, the app goes directly into the previous location that I had received the last file from. Overall it is excellent and I have many friends and family using it on my request.

Developer Response ,

I haven’t got any email. I use Apple’s iCloud servers for email and I read even the junk folder so it is likely that there was some error on your side. The app has added more than 1000 new features lately. It has removed up to 10 almost unused features. As now the app uses the same code for iOS and macOS (using latest Apple’s technologies it can still fully used all specifics of each platform) there are more than 100,000 users with the active installation and no one complained regarding any problem with the PDF in more than two months (the only complaint was that OCR didn’t work on very large documents on the iPhone but that was resolved). If you send some samples I will certainly check them, but the chances are that there is some problem on your side.

App Privacy

The developer, Labsii , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish

Developer Website
App Support
Privacy Policy

Family Sharing

Up to six family members can use this app with family sharing enabled., more by this developer.

Speech Central AI Voice Reader

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Text to speech for Kindle on MacBook Pro Monterey 12.1

How to activate/use text to speech on Kindle on MacBook Pro Monterey 12.1

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.1

Posted on Feb 3, 2022 9:44 AM

Posted on Feb 3, 2022 9:57 AM

in general, these use the Mac's built-in text-to-speech, activated (after selecting some text) by command-T

text to speech kindle app mac

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From Text to Speech: How You Read Kindle Books Aloud

Table of Contents

For iPhone and iPad Users:

For Android Users:

Can Alexa Read My Kindle Books?

How Do I Enable Read Aloud on My Kindle App?

Is Kindle Paperwhite Capable of Reading Books Aloud?

Can I Listen to Kindle Books on My iPhone or Android?

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How to Use Kindle Text-to-Speech

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Text to Speech for Fire Tablets (4th Gen and Up)

Text to Speech for Older Kindle eReaders

How to Enable Text to Speech in the Kindle Mobile App

For Android:

How to Enable Kindle Text to Speech for PC

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DID YOU KNOW

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How to Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle

Part 1. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle e-reader (older model)

Part 2. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle e-reader via VoiceView

2.1 Use VoiceView Over Bluetooth

2.2 Use VoiceView through Kindle Audio Adapter

Part 3. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle Fire

Part 4. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle for PC

Part 5. Use Text-to-Speech on Kindle for iOS/Android

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Kindle Text to Speech: How to Make Kindle Read to You [Guide]

Part 1: How to Use Kindle Text to Speech on Kindle Scribe

Part 2: How to Use Kindle Text to Speech on a Windows PC or a Mac

#1. For Mac or PC

#2. For PC Only

Part 3: How to Use Kindle Text to Speech on iOS Device

Part 4: How to Use Kindle Text to Speech on Android Device

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