Free & Low-cost Tools
TextAloud
TextAloud is a text-to-speech software for Windows PC. This software is aimed at individuals with low vision and/or individuals who struggle with reading digital text. The software has built-in browser extensions for Firefox, Chrome, and Edge. TextAloud can save the read-aloud content into audio files for later listening. TextAloud is a paid software, and additional voices and languages can be purchased separately.
Balabolka
Balabolka is a text-to-speech freeware for Windows. It utilizes already installed voices on your computer, allowing text to be read aloud and saved locally as a WAV, MP3, MP4, OGG, or WMA file, although the user can edit the voices’ rate and pitch. Additionally, Balabolka allows users to customize their PC font and background color for easier visual reading. Balabolka can also save text alongside audio files so that when saved audio files are played back, the text is displayed synchronously.
The software supports 31 languages and can be uploaded onto a USB drive to portable installation.
NaturalReader
NaturalReader text-to-speech software freeware works with PDF, docx, txt and ePub documents, as well as HTML content. More features can be purchased with more advanced software: NaturalReader Personal allows text to be saved as audio files and includes a pronunciation editor; NaturalReader Professional includes conversation control, 500 pages of OCR, and a batch file converter; and NaturalReader Ultimate includes unlimited OCR.
The freeware functions on Mac and Windows, whereas the paid software is able to sync with Android and Apple apps.