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

Text to Speech! vs Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader

Text to Speech! 4.6★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner Text to Speech!
Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader 4.5★ · Free + IAP 45

Text to Speech! is generally the better choice for basic, free text-to-speech needs, despite its bugs and ads, while Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader struggles with core functionality and aggressive monetization.

Full reviews: Text to Speech! · Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader

Text to Speech! offers a simple, often effective free text-to-speech experience, frequently used by those with temporary or permanent vocal impairments, though it suffers from numerous bugs and intrusive ads. Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader, while having some useful features like PDF reading, is plagued by stability issues, poor pronunciation, and a highly criticized monetization model that makes its free tier almost unusable.

Head to head

Core Functionality & Reliability edge: Text to Speech!R1R2R8R9
Text to Speech! Text to Speech! is praised for its simplicity and effectiveness in converting text to speech, helping users communicate when they can't speak R2R8R14R35. However, it is frequently criticized for being buggy, freezing, crashing, and having issues with text length limits or saving audio R1R9.
Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader also experiences significant glitches, freezing, and crashing, often becoming unresponsive . Users report issues with document scanning, incorrect pronunciation, and the app skipping or jumbling words .
User Interface & Ease of Use edge: Text to Speech!R2R3R5R13
Text to Speech! Many users find Text to Speech! simple and easy to use, with a clean and clear interface R2R17R32. However, some find it "too simple" and lacking in UI refinement, such as the inability to copy text from the 'Starred' section or issues with text size controls R3R5R13.
Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader is described as intuitive and not difficult to use by some . However, others report being forced to answer unnecessary questions upon first opening the app, which can freeze the app, and difficulty navigating chapters .
Voice Quality & Options tieR8R14R17R22
Text to Speech! Text to Speech! offers voices that some find good, even "amazing," and helpful for communication R38R35R8R14. However, other users describe voices as sounding "demonic" for some words, not realistic, or like an "Emergency broadcast" R17R28R59. There are also complaints about specific voices being removed or difficulty changing vocal settings R22.
Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader's voices are described as "smooth and capable" and "amazing quality" by some R80. Yet, a significant number of users find the voices sound "congested," "robotic," or struggle with pronunciation of common words and names . There are also complaints about not being able to use personal voices or being locked into a specific voice without paying .
Ads & Monetization (Free vs. Paid) edge: Text to Speech!R2R4R6R10
Text to Speech! Text to Speech! is praised for being free, but its free version is heavily criticized for intrusive and annoying ads, including video ads that interrupt communication R2R4R6R10. Users express frustration that a paid, ad-free version is not readily available or that ads appear even in critical communication situations R10R29.
Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader's monetization is a major point of contention. Many users report being charged despite signing up for a free trial, or being unable to access basic features without paying R70. The app is seen as a "scam" by some, with ads also being an issue in the free tier R70.
Features & Export edge: Text to Speech!R3R19R30R41
Text to Speech! Text to Speech! is appreciated for its ability to export text into audio files, which is useful for creating skits or affirmations . However, users desire more export options, such as looping playback or more than three exports per day, and report issues with MP3 export or saving audio to other apps R3R19R30R41.
Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader is noted for features like reading PDFs and scanning documents . However, it struggles with these features, often misreading or highlighting incorrectly, and cannot read documents offline . Users also request features like bookmarks and improved copy/paste .
Customer Support edge: Speak4Me Text to Speech ReaderR70R80
Text to Speech! Reviews for Text to Speech! do not mention customer support, indicating either no interaction or a lack of notable experiences.
Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader has mixed reviews regarding support. One user praised the developer for quick and attentive resolution of an account access issue R80. However, another user reported a negative experience, being denied a refund and having to speak to customer service reps who wouldn't help R70.
Pick Text to Speech! if

You need a free, straightforward text-to-speech app for temporary communication needs, such as after surgery or when you've lost your voice R8R14R35. You are willing to tolerate frequent ads and occasional bugs for a simple, accessible tool R2R17.

Pick Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader if

You specifically need to read PDFs or scan documents and are willing to pay for a premium version, hoping for better stability and features, and appreciate the potential for responsive developer support R80.

Evidence note: Text to Speech! has a much larger review base, and its recent negative reviews regarding bugs and ads are consistent with its lifetime rating, suggesting ongoing issues. Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader's lower lifetime rating is strongly influenced by its aggressive monetization and core functionality issues, particularly around free trials and subscriptions.

Frequently asked

Are these apps truly free?
Text to Speech! is free with in-app purchases, but its free version includes frequent and intrusive ads, which many users find disruptive R2R4R10R29. Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader also offers a free version with in-app purchases, but many users report being charged immediately despite free trial offers, or finding the free version severely limited and unusable R70.
Can these apps help with communication for medical reasons?
Yes, Text to Speech! is frequently used and praised by individuals who have temporarily lost their voice due to surgery, sickness, or other conditions, enabling them to communicate with family and medical staff R8R14R32R35. Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader is also used by those with speaking difficulties, with some finding it clear and helpful for adjusting speed .
Do these apps have good voice quality?
Voice quality is subjective and mixed for both apps; Text to Speech! has voices described as "amazing" by some, but others find them unrealistic or "demonic" R17R28R38R59. Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader offers "smooth and capable" voices according to some, but many users complain about voices sounding "congested," "robotic," and having poor pronunciation .

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] Text to Speech! 2/5 · US Glitchy already: I just downloaded this app cause of surgery so I can “talk” still and it’s already glitching out and making my keys stick
  2. [R2] Text to Speech! 5/5 · US Best free text to speech app: Love how this app is free! I also like how simple it is. Definitely worth having.
  3. [R8] Text to Speech! 5/5 · US Text to speech: I recently had a double jaw surgery and this app helped me communicate to everyone including plenty of my nurses and my family members.
  4. [R9] Text to Speech! 3/5 · US Bugs: This app is so buggy but it’s the only fully free one out there so i don’t really care. It won’t let me put any of files in for it to read and it also crashes if I add too much text when typing or copy and pasting
  5. [R3] Text to Speech! 3/5 · US Inconvenient to use: The app needs refinement regarding its UI settings and core functionality. Currently, you cannot copy text from the 'Starred' section. This is a major inconvenience because it prevents me from backing up or transferring important data before the app's auto-delete function triggers. Having to manually transcribe text that should be copyable is frustrating
  6. [R5] Text to Speech! 4/5 · US Too simple: Its a great app but its much too simple
  7. [R13] Text to Speech! 1/5 · US Please fix the multiple bugs: When the app is in slide over view after a few seconds and I open it back up in the slide over view mode, the letters are misplaced so I have to exit slide over view and put it back. Also, the controls to change the text size doesn’t work.
  8. [R14] Text to Speech! 5/5 · US Perfect!: I lost my voice temporarily a while ago due to sickness. This was key to communicating with family and doctors. Absolutely genius, and ads are not as intrusive as other apps. Thank you, it’s perfect.
  9. [R17] Text to Speech! 4/5 · US I love this app but there are a few things I don’t like: So for one this is an awesome app but even if you pick out a good voice out of the few choices for some words it can sound very demonic, for another thing is yes there are adds but of course there are, also it can take a while to type out what you need to say. So if you need a temporary way to communicate it is a great app. I also love how
  10. [R22] Text to Speech! 1/5 · US Voice: How do change vocal?
  11. [R4] Text to Speech! 1/5 · US Ads: Annoying ads not good quality software but doesn’t say yeah very well
  12. [R6] Text to Speech! 3/5 · US To many adds: So every time I click a the words I saved like if I click 3 or 5 and add always pops up so if you could pls put less adds
  13. [R10] Text to Speech! 1/5 · US 5 stars must be fake: The in-app ads make this unusable and infuriating. A person who can’t speak doesn’t want or need an ad interrupting what could be a desperate need to communicate. My friend with PLS can barely use his hands in the first place, so just using the device is an obstacle already…this app is 100% useless as long as it has video ads that play while trying to use it.
  14. [R19] Text to Speech! 2/5 · US Please Loop Playback 🔂: Please add a feature to be able to loop playback. Been waiting years. Then 5 stars!!!
  15. [R30] Text to Speech! 3/5 · US Good app but has bugs: IT WONT LET ME DOWNLOAD THE AUDIO TO CAPCUTTTTT
  16. [R41] Text to Speech! 5/5 · US Things I would love to see happen: Hi friends. What I would love to see happen is if you can make it where you could get more than just three export today. Some people can’t always afford to pay for everything lol anyway this app is the best ever. I love it. Love it love it love every second of it.
  17. [R70] Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader 1/5 · US I just got scammed: Free trial button didn’t give me a free trial but made it look like it would. Super sketchy. Want my money back. It had been a few days, my refund was denied and I have had to SPEAK (further damaging my vocal cords) to customer service reps who won’t help me with a refund. Legit evil company, don’t use these guys.
  18. [R80] Speak4Me Text to Speech Reader 4/5 · US Interesting App, Interesting Utility: After landing the app on AppAdvice, I was pleasantly surprised at the smooth and capable voices that proved capable and some even relaxing. The utility here is evident. I had an issue sharing my account access with my iPad from my phone and I contacted the developer. He was a gentleman and acted quickly with attentive resolve- that’s always a good sign. Admitt
  19. [R29] Text to Speech! 4/5 · US Overall great.: Overall very helpful. I had vocal cord surgery and cannot speak for 1 week, only 5 mins per hour the next week. The only bad thing is that the ads. It’s challenging enough to not be able to speak even a whisper, laugh, cough, etc. But then you have to wait for an ad. That’s very annoying. For someone who can’t speak ever, that’s just unacceptable. I will be able to speak eventual
  20. [R32] Text to Speech! 5/5 · US Love It! 😍: I was at a BTS concert and I screamed SO LOUD, I lost my voice. And I have an upcoming performance and I’m the LEAD ROLE!!! I couldn’t talk, sing, yell, or even WHISPER! I was sad. I can’t not talk! Especially not me. I talk ALL THE TIME! IM A YAPATRON! So I didn’t know what to do. I asked Google, “I lost my voice and can’t talk. Is there a way I can?” It told me to download Text to Sp
  21. [R35] Text to Speech! 5/5 · US Best text to speak app!: Since I don’t have my tonsils removed, I ALWAYS get strep. And when I have strep it’s hard for me to speak 🗣️. So when I use this app it’s SO much EASIER to communicate! 😁.
  22. [R28] Text to Speech! 1/5 · US I got scared: Bro the voices sound like an watching a Emergency broadcast T_T😭
  23. [R38] Text to Speech! 5/5 · US Amazing app: It’s soo good and the voices aren’t bad either
  24. [R59] Text to Speech! 5/5 · US Voice just need to sound more realistic: I can’t wait until this app gets an overhaul

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