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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Voice Aloud Reader vs Speechify

Voice Aloud Reader 4.6★ · Free + IAP 45
Winner Speechify
Speechify 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60

Speechify is the better choice for those seeking more reliable performance and a wider range of voices, despite its higher cost and aggressive monetization, while Voice Aloud Reader struggles with consistent premium feature access and customer support.

Full reviews: Voice Aloud Reader · Speechify

Speechify offers a more polished experience with diverse voices and better overall functionality, though it is significantly more expensive and has issues with deceptive advertising and app crashes. Voice Aloud Reader is a more affordable option but is plagued by inconsistent access to paid features, poor voice quality, and unresponsive customer support.

Head to head

Features & Voice Quality edge: SpeechifyR1R2R4R5
Voice Aloud Reader Voice Aloud Reader users frequently complain about the poor quality of free voices, describing them as 'sub-1980s robo voice' or 'terrible' and 'unlistenable' R1R7R19. Many users express frustration that even after paying, the premium voices are not significantly better or are locked behind additional subscriptions R1R4R55. Some users did find the voices 'very good' or 'impressive' R5, but others noted issues with pronunciation and jumbled audio R43. The app is praised for its ability to read PDFs and create a library of files R2R5.
Speechify Speechify offers a variety of voice options, including celebrity voices, which users generally appreciate . However, some free voices are described as 'terrible' or 'hurtful' . Users also report issues with the app reading headings in the wrong order and mispronouncing simple words . The ability to read Kindle Unlimited content is a positive, but it requires constant screen tapping . Many users are disappointed that specific books they want are not available in the app's library .
Ease of Use & Reliability tieR4R6R8R12
Voice Aloud Reader Voice Aloud Reader has mixed reviews on ease of use. Some find it 'easy to use' and 'user-friendly' , especially for highlighting and copying text from the internet R8. However, many users report significant reliability issues, particularly with paid features disappearing or not working R4R6. The app is also criticized for glitches, such as not showing cover images, not reading documents, or reading pages in the wrong order R12. Some users find the interface confusing .
Speechify Speechify is generally considered 'easy to navigate' and 'easy to install and configure' . However, it faces significant criticism for being 'buggy as hell' and crashing frequently, especially after updates . Users also report issues with the Safari extension not working or logging them out . A mandatory tutorial without a skip button is seen as tedious . There are also complaints about scanned pictures being deleted due to ads .
Price & Value tieR1R3R6R8
Voice Aloud Reader Voice Aloud Reader is marketed as free with in-app purchases, but many users feel it's a 'bait & switch scam' R1. They complain about one-time purchases for premium voices becoming subscriptions or being revoked R1R6. Users are frustrated by character limits on premium voices R3 and additional 'scans' or reading limits even after paying for pro versions . The free version has ads and time limits R10R11. Some users appreciate it as a 'free app' that 'does the job' R8.
Speechify Speechify is frequently criticized for its high prices and deceptive advertising R70R76. Users are often led to believe the app is free or offers a free trial, only to be immediately prompted for payment or find their subscription started prematurely R70R76R82. The cost can be as high as $140 for a subscription, with additional charges for books R85. Many feel it's 'not worth the money' given the limitations and bugs .
Customer Support tieR4R22R43R45
Voice Aloud Reader Voice Aloud Reader users report significant difficulty contacting support. Several reviews mention being unable to reach customer service for help with purchase issues or technical problems R4R22R43R45. This lack of support exacerbates frustration when paid features fail to work or disappear.
Speechify Speechify users also report poor customer service, with one user stating there's 'no #' for contact, only email, and difficulty getting refunds . Another user who had a subscription issue tried to contact support but did not mention the outcome .
Pick Voice Aloud Reader if

You are on a tight budget and primarily need a basic text-to-speech function for short texts or web pages, and are willing to tolerate ads, time limits, and potentially poor voice quality in the free tier R8R11. You might also consider it if you prefer a one-time purchase model, though be aware of inconsistencies reported by users .

Pick Speechify if

You prioritize a wider selection of voices, including celebrity options, and a generally more polished user experience, and are willing to pay a premium price for it . You also need features like reading Kindle Unlimited or scanning physical books, despite potential bugs and limitations .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews related to pricing models and perceived 'scams,' which heavily influenced the 'Price & Value' dimension. For Voice Aloud Reader, many negative reviews stem from changes in their payment model, shifting from one-time purchases to subscriptions or revoking previously purchased features. For Speechify, the negativity is largely due to high subscription costs and misleading advertising about free access. The lifetime ratings are very similar, but recent reviews for both apps show considerable user frustration.

Frequently asked

Is Voice Aloud Reader truly free?
Voice Aloud Reader offers a free tier with ads and time limits, typically restricting listening to about 10 minutes before requiring a wait or an ad view R10R11. Many users report that while the app is free to download, accessing bearable voices or unlimited listening often requires a purchase, which some feel is a 'bait & switch' R1R19.
How much does Speechify cost?
Speechify is free to download but requires payment for full functionality, with subscriptions reported to be as high as $140, and additional costs for books R85. Many users are frustrated by deceptive advertising that suggests free use, only to be immediately prompted for payment or have subscriptions start without clear consent R70R76R82.
Do these apps offer good quality voices?
Both apps receive mixed reviews on voice quality. Voice Aloud Reader's free voices are widely criticized as 'robo voice' or 'unlistenable,' and even paid voices are often found to be disappointing R1R7R19R55. Speechify offers a wider range of voices, including celebrity options, which some users enjoy, but its free voices are also described as 'terrible' or 'hurtful,' and even premium voices can sound robotic or mispronounce words .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Voice Aloud Reader 1/5 · US Bait & Switch Scam: I THOUGHT I was buying a pay-once product. But the voice for that product is a sub-1980s robo voice. Unlistenable. To get a better quality voice, you have to make a SECOND purchase, and that is for a SUBSCRIPTION. The app should be banned from the App Store.
  2. [R2] Voice Aloud Reader 5/5 · US Es lo máximo: La amo me solucionó la vida tengo un montón de libros en pdf y ahora los puedo escuchar mientras hago otros labores wow mil estrellas lastima q solo puedo darle 5 🫶🏻
  3. [R4] Voice Aloud Reader 1/5 · US Frustrated!: I purchased the ability to use premium voices for $9.99, and I’ve tried everything to change from the horrible robot voice and nothing works. I also can’t contact support for help! Cancelling this one!
  4. [R5] Voice Aloud Reader 5/5 · US Very good vocals: They gave me all of voices randomly what a nice app and I love how you can just make a library of your Files
  5. [R6] Voice Aloud Reader 3/5 · US Money waist: Paid for pro because of the listening limit and it gave me additional voices. A few months later it took them away. Also changed the listed features to say they aren’t included when it was before. I feel like my money was waisted.
  6. [R8] Voice Aloud Reader 5/5 · US As advertised: For a free app, it does the job. Looked at other reader apps, you can pay far more than this app for premium features. I’ve had this app for years. Highlight what you want to read off the Internet, and click copy, open the voice reader app, as long as you have it turned on in settings, your text will appear, click the arrow at the bottom of the page and start listening. You might
  7. [R12] Voice Aloud Reader 3/5 · US Good w/ Issues: Worked for how I used it biggest issue nowadays is that mobile doesn’t show cover images in library and can’t read docs
  8. [R3] Voice Aloud Reader 3/5 · US Amazing yet infuriating: There is a character limit for premium voices that makes this amazing app worthless. It harms my productivity when I have to wait a week just to get my voices back. Frankly, I feel cheated. Why an I paying for this if I keep getting cut off without options?
  9. [R22] Voice Aloud Reader 1/5 · US Subscription purchased, unusable: I purchased a monthly subscription to use the more realistic voices. Unfortunately, the next day I am unable to use any subscription features. I’ve tried restarting the app, restoring purchases, and uninstalling and reinstalling it, to no avail. I’ve also tried reaching out to the customer support team and was unable to send the email for whatever reason.
  10. [R43] Voice Aloud Reader 1/5 · US Bad pronunciation and limited functions: It can be distracting to use because I’ve had to “translate” it’s bad pronunciation. The premium subscription did not improve its functions. Once I let premium lapse, the pro version I paid for was inaccessible, as were the additional scans I had purchased. There is no viable customer service or troubleshooting.
  11. [R45] Voice Aloud Reader 1/5 · US Subscription: It keeps saying I used up my free time and to buy it but I have been paying every month can this get resolved there’s no one to call or ask about this and the website doesn’t work but I have a subscription and it’s acting like I don’t This is still happening This is happening again This is happening again why can’t yall fix this
  12. [R10] Voice Aloud Reader 1/5 · US terrible: it’s a good app for a day until they restrict you to 10 minutes of listening and then make you wait 30 minutes to listen again or pay for no ads
  13. [R11] Voice Aloud Reader 5/5 · US Ofc there’s ads: But nothing is free free. Watch an add get like 10 mins of reading. Rinse repeat. Does all I need it to do tho
  14. [R19] Voice Aloud Reader 1/5 · US Ridiculous: Rope you in - and then as soon as you choose a voice - you hear the same robotic voice from Microsoft. And have to pay for a premium voice. WHY would I use your app if I could do the same thing on Microsoft word.
  15. [R70] Speechify 1/5 · US This app makes u pay high prices: They offer a free trial of 3 days then demand ur card before hand
  16. [R76] Speechify 2/5 · US Bait and Switch: The ad I saw for this app said “listen for free” but once I clicked it, I was taken to the pay monthly screen. I can’t believe I actually thought I could listen for free. They should at a minimum let you listen to 1 book free if they are going to say that.
  17. [R82] Speechify 1/5 · US Thought I was on free trial: but subscription started and money went out right away
  18. [R85] Speechify 1/5 · US Extreme disappointment: I paid $140 for the app and now I’m being told that my voice limit has been reached and I go to the automated narrator. What a joke can’t believe I paid $140 for this garbage
  19. [R7] Voice Aloud Reader 1/5 · US Bad purchase: I wish I could have tried out the voices before purchasing, they’re terrible… completely unlistenable. I just threw away money on a terrible product I will never use.
  20. [R55] Voice Aloud Reader 1/5 · US Creepy voices: I paid $10 just to have the creepiest voices ever read to me. Now it wants me to play $10 a month to unlock regular voices, yeah right. Totally misleading, and no refund option.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store