Free Text-to-Speech: NaturalReader, Built-In Tech
Can't Use Kurzweil? You Have Options...
- Microsoft Windows Narrator (built-in) - Watch this Windows text-to-speech video on YouTube Links to an external site. to learn how it works.
- Apple MacOS - Go to the Apple MacOS User Guide Links to an external site. to learn how to set this up.
- NaturalReader (free Chrome extension and downloadable software)
NaturalReader: Free for All
NaturalReader can be downloaded for free (for Windows and MacOS computers) or used online. There's also a free extension for the Chrome browser.
Natural Reader for Windows and MacOS
- Go to the NaturalReaders website Links to an external site. and click the blue Free Download button to get the program.
- Double-click on the icon to launch the program.
- Click the Plus icon to upload a file (or copy and paste text into the central box).
- Click the blue arrow icon (Play) to listen to the text, and to pause it if desired.
Note: Natural Reader has a terrific tool called the "Miniboard" that lets you read text in any program (rather than needing to copy and paste it). Watch my video at the bottom of this page to see how to use the Miniboard.
Use Natural Reader Online
- Go to the Natural Reader Online website Links to an external site. in (almost) any browser - after Apple's update it no longer works in Safari.
- Click the Plus icon to upload a file (or copy and paste text into the central box).
- Click the blue arrow icon (Play) to listen to the text, and to pause it if desired.
Chrome Browser Extension
To add the extension, go to the Chrome App Store and search on “NaturalReader.” Click “Add to Chrome” for the top listing (“Natural Reader Text to Speech”).