Read Aloud review
A focused Chrome extension with broad language support and unusually low-cost premium voices.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Read Aloud is a Chrome browser extension from LSD Software LLC that converts web content and selected text into speech. It is aimed at readers who want audio access to current articles, PDFs, Google Docs, Google Play Books, Amazon Kindle, and EPUB content without adopting a broader text-to-speech platform. Reading controls include adjustable speed and pitch, text highlighting during playback, keyboard shortcuts, context-menu activation, dark mode, and adjustable popup and font size. Support for more than 40 languages makes it suitable for multilingual reading, while the open-source model may appeal to users who prefer a browser-based tool with visible source code.
Pricing is centered on usage rather than a recurring subscription. The Free Tier includes a monthly allowance for premium voices. Premium Voices - 2M costs $1 per 2 million characters, with premium voice credits available as a one-time purchase. The published plans also describe browser and cloud-based voices, giving users a choice between built-in browser options and integrations with Google Wavenet, Amazon Polly, Microsoft Azure, and OpenAI. That structure keeps the product accessible for occasional reading and offers a straightforward paid path for users who need more premium voice usage.
Read Aloud is intentionally narrow in scope. It runs as a Chrome extension and focuses on listening to browser-accessible content rather than serving as an API, voice-cloning system, or commercial production tool. Commercial use is not permitted under the product terms without written permission, and voice cloning and API access are not included. Choose it for personal reading, accessibility-oriented browsing, and document listening inside Chrome. Consider an alternative if you need multi-platform apps, programmatic access, cloned voices, or routine commercial distribution.
Read Aloud pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Reads web pages, selected text, PDFs, EPUB, and supported document content
- Supports more than 40 languages with browser and cloud-based voices
- Open source, with speed, pitch, highlighting, and keyboard controls
- Where it doesn't
- Chrome extension only, with no broader platform support
- No API access or voice cloning features
- Commercial use requires written permission
Read Aloud fact sheet, pricing and score →
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