Best text to speech software of 2020: Free, paid and online voice recognition apps By Nicholas Fearn, Brian Turner 02 September 2020 Software to read aloud documents and ebooks. Control your computer by voice with speed and accuracy. Dragon speech recognition software is better than ever. Talk and your words appear on the screen. Say commands and your computer obeys. Dragon is 3x faster than typing and it's 99% accurate. Master Dragon right out of the box, and start experiencing big productivity gains immediately.
- Dragon Speech Recognition software, free download For Mac
- Best Speech Recognition For Mac
- Voice Recognition Software For Mac
- Speech Recognition Software For Mac Reviews
- Best Free Speech Recognition Software For Mac
Whether you prefer articles read to you while you do something else or trying to grasp a new foreign language or even for specially abled students, TTS (short for text-to-speech) has proved to be very useful.
In our previous articles we saw some of the best text to speech apps for Windows and Android. And today, we take a look at some of the best TTS options available for Macs.
Text To Speech For Mac
1. macOS TTS
Before we get too ahead of ourselves and start downloading third party apps, it is very trivial to know that macOS itself comes with a built-in TTS and you can use it anywhere on your computer from the Notes app to any browser.
To get started, highlight or select the text which you want to be read and then right click, go to Speech and then to Start Speaking; and your Mac should start reading the text to you. It also supports a lot of other languages other than English and there are a lot of voices to choose from in all the languages. To change the language option simply go to Accessibility > Speech. Although some voices are very robotic, there are a few which aren't and sound more like a human.
But the TTS is far from perfect; it is very basic and barebones and lacks options like pause/play, picking up from a selected word instantly and a lot more.
Quick Tip: It blew my mind and might even blow yours to know that the native TTS on Mac also supports converting your text into audio files. Just select the required text, right click and go to Services > Add to iTunes as a spoken track. The text will be converted to an audio track and added to your iTunes library.
Dragon Speech Recognition software, free download For Mac
Pros:
– Built-in system wide
– Lots of voice options
– Converting text to iTunes track
Cons:
– No Pause/Play
– Have to select manually all the words to be read
– No instant pickup
Verdict:
Overall, the TTS that comes with macOS is very barebones without all the bells and whistles and should be perfect for somebody looking for a basic TTS experience without even buying or installing any third party software.
2. Invicta TTS
Best Speech Recognition For Mac
Invicta TTS is a very simple free Text To Speech app available on the Mac App Store.
Once you open up the app, it presents you with a text box where you can enter or paste any text which will be then converted to speech. The app is very lightweight and minimal in nature with everything being to the point.
Although the app is very basic, unlike the built in TTS of Mac OS, it does add the option of playing or pausing the audio which becomes crucial when listening to long texts or articles. The voice settings cannot be changed but the in built voice does the job pretty good enough.
Pros:
– Minimal and Light
– Play/Pause Option
Cons:
– Cannot read documents automatically
– Supports only English
Verdict:
If you need a simple and light TTS app and might be listening to long articles, Invicta TTS does the job pretty well but do remember that it can only read English.
Link: Get Invicta TTS on the App Store
Price: Free
Connect the Canon digital camera to the computer by using the USB cable that came with the. Download canon photos to mac. In Photos, choose File Import. Select the photos or folder that you want to import, then click Review for Import. If you selected multiple photos or videos, select the photos or video that you want to import, then click Import number Selected or Import All. Your Canon account is the way to get the most personalized support resources for your products. Already have an account? Follow these steps to import images: Connect your digital camera to your Mac and then turn on the camera. Plug one end of a USB cable into your camera and the other end into your Mac's USB port, and prepare your camera to download images. Import videos, pictures using Canon EOS Utility on Macbook, iMac, Macbook pro, Mac Pro, Mac mini.
3. Natural Reader
The next app on our list is Natural Reader which is an extremely powerful TTS software available not only on Mac OS but also on Windows, iOS, Android and even has an online reader.
The app comes in many flavours, each with its fair share of features for the price. The free version comes with basic TTS features along with the ability to read directly from file formats such as Docx, PDF, ePub and Txt. It also has a floating bar which can be used to read text while you are in other applications. The next option or the Personal version, at a steep $100, allows you to read web pages directly, converting text to audio files and syncing everything between your phone apps. There are also Professional and Ultimate versions which add OCR support and a bunch of natural voices.
Pros:
– Support for file formats
– Convert to audio files
– Cross Platform
– OCR Support
Cons:
– Pricey
– No instant pickup
Verdict:
All the features of Natural Reader definitely come at a price and you should be able to decide whether it is a suit for you with respect to your investment in TTS, but even for a casual user the free version works really well. Overall, Natural reader is not just best text to speech software with natural voices, but since it also support PDF, it's also a good option for those who are looking for PDF Voice Reader for macOS.
Pricing Options: Pricing for Natural Reader
Link: Download Natural Reader from here
4. Read Aloud
Read Aloud is not exactly a stand alone Mac app but instead a Chrome extension which might appeal to some people. Considering how many posts and articles are read on the internet everyday, we had to include Read Aloud.
It is completely free and once you install it, its icon will appear in the extension bar which you can now use to read any webpage or any online article, just by a single click. When it is in work, you get a play/pause button along with a forward or rewind button which can be used to advance or backtrack paragraphs. Considering it is free, the voice options are really good and feel very natural and premium.
Pros:
– Great natural voice
– Forward or rewind by paragraphs
– Listen to webpages
Cons:
– Works only on Chrome
Verdict:
Suggesting Read Aloud is very straight forward; if you are someone who reads a lot on the internet and are looking for a free TTS software for that, nothing beats Read Aloud.
Price: Free
Link: Download Read Aloud from the Chrome Store
5. Capti Voice
Capti Voice is probably the most polished and well rounded TTS software available for the Mac and the award are only there to justify that. Starting off, Capti Voice uses your browser for the app to function instead of a stand alone Mac application. Don't worry, you can still use it while you are offline as it stores all its data locally and personally I have had no issues.
Capti Voice has a subscription based model and even the free version has a lot to offer from various file format supports to text search while the premium versions add features like creating playlists, OCR Support and intelligent dictionary lookup. The voices offered across all the platforms are very high quality and commendable.
Quick Tip: Don't forget to use the Chrome extension which allows you to save articles or webpages to be read later by Capti Voice.
Pros:
– Cross platform with mobile apps
– Create Playlists
– Dictionary lookup
– Shortcuts to get around
Cons:
– No standalone app
– Syncs only when you add to cloud storage
Verdict:
Overall, Capti Voice is a really compelling app with features packed to the brim and is very similar to natural Reader but with a subscription based model. It is really the best TTS experience you can get on Mac OS.
Pricing Info: Pricing Options for Capti Voice
Dg foto art gold mac download windows 10. Link: Download Capti Voice from here
6. Honorable Mentions
CereProc has some of the most natural sounding computer speeches available on the market, which you can use to replace the default voice on your Mac (also available for other platforms). There are a lot of high quality voice packs to choose from and each costs around $35.
Zamzar is a free online service which you can use to convert your text to audio files or mp3s. Unlike the iTunes spoken track which you can use only on Apple devices, you can use it on any platform without any hassle.
Wrapping up: Best Text to Speech for Mac
So these were some of the TTS software available on the Mac and we hope we made your decision a little bit easier. If you are someone who reads mainly on the internet, Read Aloud is by far the best free option. Although a little limited, the built-in TTS feature seems to work just fine, but it can be a pain for long stretches of texts or long articles for which there is Invicta which is also free.
Natural Reader and Capti Voice both are spectacular TTS apps with a lot of plans to choose from, but I guess what it comes down to is the paying model. Natural reader is a one time purchase and should be better if you feel you will be invested in TTS for a long time whereas Capti Voice follows a subscription based model also with a one week free trial. Thanks for reading and do comment below which one is your favorite TTS app on Mac OS.
Read: Make your Devices Read Out Text, With Text to Speech
Technology and humankind share a special bond. Don't believe us? Well, think about voice recognition software. Isn't it miraculously amazing? Who could've imagined our voice commands would hold so much importance and power? Be it Siri, Cortana, Alexa, or Google Home; voice assistants now form a crucial part of our lives. We can communicate, rely on them like a companion to get our everyday tasks done with ease.
In this post, we've compiled a list of 10 best voice recognition software, highlighting special features of each tool, and a quick comparison table laying out all the useful details and information.
But before we jump on that, let's answer a few FAQ's that will allow you the get a basic understanding of speech recognition tools.
What is Speech recognition software, and how does it work?
So, what exactly is a speech recognition software? In simple parlance, a speech recognition tool is used for converting our oral speech or anything you say in the form of words into a written text.
The objective of a voice recognition tool is to take the human voice as an input, process it to further break it down in the form of words, and then transcribe it in the form of text. The tool converts analog values into digital ones so that your device can understand whatever you spoke.
What is voice recognition software used for?
Voice Recognizer software are used in various applications, whether you want to operate a device, perform dictation related tasks, or simply use it when you're in no mood to type on the keyboard.
Apart from this, voice recognition tools prove out to be a great help to people with cognitive disabilities who face trouble with reading and writing. They can easily use such tools to get their work done using voice commands.
A Comparison Table
We hope this quick comparison table, including the top 10 speech recognition tools, will help you pick the best from the lot.
S. no | Voice Recognition Tool | Compatible Platform | Price |
1 | Dragon Naturally Speaking | Windows | Packages starting from 150$ |
2 | Speechnotes | Web, Android, iOS | Free |
3 | Amazon Lex | Application-based | Usage-based |
4 | Siri | iOS | Free |
5 | Voice Finger | Windows | Full Version Available for 9.99$ |
6 | Speech Texter | Web, Android | Free |
7 | Braina Pro | Windows, iOS, Android | Packages starting from 139$ |
8 | E-Speaking | Windows | Free |
9 | Apple Dictation | macOS | Free |
10 | Cortana | Windows | Free |
Now, let's learn about all about these-above-mentioned tools in a detailed manner.
10 Best Voice Recognition Software in 2020
1. Dragon Naturally Speaking
Developed by Nuance Communications, Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a fantastic voice recognition software for the Windows platform. It offers you the fastest and accurate way to convert your speech into textual format. The tool comes with an easy to use minimal designed interface that allows you to get more done to boost your productivity. You can easily create, edit, or format your texts with the help of your voice commands and be a master of dictation within no time.
2. Speechnotes
To get started, highlight or select the text which you want to be read and then right click, go to Speech and then to Start Speaking; and your Mac should start reading the text to you. It also supports a lot of other languages other than English and there are a lot of voices to choose from in all the languages. To change the language option simply go to Accessibility > Speech. Although some voices are very robotic, there are a few which aren't and sound more like a human.
But the TTS is far from perfect; it is very basic and barebones and lacks options like pause/play, picking up from a selected word instantly and a lot more.
Quick Tip: It blew my mind and might even blow yours to know that the native TTS on Mac also supports converting your text into audio files. Just select the required text, right click and go to Services > Add to iTunes as a spoken track. The text will be converted to an audio track and added to your iTunes library.
Dragon Speech Recognition software, free download For Mac
Pros:
– Built-in system wide
– Lots of voice options
– Converting text to iTunes track
Cons:
– No Pause/Play
– Have to select manually all the words to be read
– No instant pickup
Verdict:
Overall, the TTS that comes with macOS is very barebones without all the bells and whistles and should be perfect for somebody looking for a basic TTS experience without even buying or installing any third party software.
2. Invicta TTS
Best Speech Recognition For Mac
Invicta TTS is a very simple free Text To Speech app available on the Mac App Store.
Once you open up the app, it presents you with a text box where you can enter or paste any text which will be then converted to speech. The app is very lightweight and minimal in nature with everything being to the point.
Although the app is very basic, unlike the built in TTS of Mac OS, it does add the option of playing or pausing the audio which becomes crucial when listening to long texts or articles. The voice settings cannot be changed but the in built voice does the job pretty good enough.
Pros:
– Minimal and Light
– Play/Pause Option
Cons:
– Cannot read documents automatically
– Supports only English
Verdict:
If you need a simple and light TTS app and might be listening to long articles, Invicta TTS does the job pretty well but do remember that it can only read English.
Link: Get Invicta TTS on the App Store
Price: Free
Connect the Canon digital camera to the computer by using the USB cable that came with the. Download canon photos to mac. In Photos, choose File Import. Select the photos or folder that you want to import, then click Review for Import. If you selected multiple photos or videos, select the photos or video that you want to import, then click Import number Selected or Import All. Your Canon account is the way to get the most personalized support resources for your products. Already have an account? Follow these steps to import images: Connect your digital camera to your Mac and then turn on the camera. Plug one end of a USB cable into your camera and the other end into your Mac's USB port, and prepare your camera to download images. Import videos, pictures using Canon EOS Utility on Macbook, iMac, Macbook pro, Mac Pro, Mac mini.
3. Natural Reader
The next app on our list is Natural Reader which is an extremely powerful TTS software available not only on Mac OS but also on Windows, iOS, Android and even has an online reader.
The app comes in many flavours, each with its fair share of features for the price. The free version comes with basic TTS features along with the ability to read directly from file formats such as Docx, PDF, ePub and Txt. It also has a floating bar which can be used to read text while you are in other applications. The next option or the Personal version, at a steep $100, allows you to read web pages directly, converting text to audio files and syncing everything between your phone apps. There are also Professional and Ultimate versions which add OCR support and a bunch of natural voices.
Pros:
– Support for file formats
– Convert to audio files
– Cross Platform
– OCR Support
Cons:
– Pricey
– No instant pickup
Verdict:
All the features of Natural Reader definitely come at a price and you should be able to decide whether it is a suit for you with respect to your investment in TTS, but even for a casual user the free version works really well. Overall, Natural reader is not just best text to speech software with natural voices, but since it also support PDF, it's also a good option for those who are looking for PDF Voice Reader for macOS.
Pricing Options: Pricing for Natural Reader
Link: Download Natural Reader from here
4. Read Aloud
Read Aloud is not exactly a stand alone Mac app but instead a Chrome extension which might appeal to some people. Considering how many posts and articles are read on the internet everyday, we had to include Read Aloud.
It is completely free and once you install it, its icon will appear in the extension bar which you can now use to read any webpage or any online article, just by a single click. When it is in work, you get a play/pause button along with a forward or rewind button which can be used to advance or backtrack paragraphs. Considering it is free, the voice options are really good and feel very natural and premium.
Pros:
– Great natural voice
– Forward or rewind by paragraphs
– Listen to webpages
Cons:
– Works only on Chrome
Verdict:
Suggesting Read Aloud is very straight forward; if you are someone who reads a lot on the internet and are looking for a free TTS software for that, nothing beats Read Aloud.
Price: Free
Link: Download Read Aloud from the Chrome Store
5. Capti Voice
Capti Voice is probably the most polished and well rounded TTS software available for the Mac and the award are only there to justify that. Starting off, Capti Voice uses your browser for the app to function instead of a stand alone Mac application. Don't worry, you can still use it while you are offline as it stores all its data locally and personally I have had no issues.
Capti Voice has a subscription based model and even the free version has a lot to offer from various file format supports to text search while the premium versions add features like creating playlists, OCR Support and intelligent dictionary lookup. The voices offered across all the platforms are very high quality and commendable.
Quick Tip: Don't forget to use the Chrome extension which allows you to save articles or webpages to be read later by Capti Voice.
Pros:
– Cross platform with mobile apps
– Create Playlists
– Dictionary lookup
– Shortcuts to get around
Cons:
– No standalone app
– Syncs only when you add to cloud storage
Verdict:
Overall, Capti Voice is a really compelling app with features packed to the brim and is very similar to natural Reader but with a subscription based model. It is really the best TTS experience you can get on Mac OS.
Pricing Info: Pricing Options for Capti Voice
Dg foto art gold mac download windows 10. Link: Download Capti Voice from here
6. Honorable Mentions
CereProc has some of the most natural sounding computer speeches available on the market, which you can use to replace the default voice on your Mac (also available for other platforms). There are a lot of high quality voice packs to choose from and each costs around $35.
Zamzar is a free online service which you can use to convert your text to audio files or mp3s. Unlike the iTunes spoken track which you can use only on Apple devices, you can use it on any platform without any hassle.
Wrapping up: Best Text to Speech for Mac
So these were some of the TTS software available on the Mac and we hope we made your decision a little bit easier. If you are someone who reads mainly on the internet, Read Aloud is by far the best free option. Although a little limited, the built-in TTS feature seems to work just fine, but it can be a pain for long stretches of texts or long articles for which there is Invicta which is also free.
Natural Reader and Capti Voice both are spectacular TTS apps with a lot of plans to choose from, but I guess what it comes down to is the paying model. Natural reader is a one time purchase and should be better if you feel you will be invested in TTS for a long time whereas Capti Voice follows a subscription based model also with a one week free trial. Thanks for reading and do comment below which one is your favorite TTS app on Mac OS.
Read: Make your Devices Read Out Text, With Text to Speech
Technology and humankind share a special bond. Don't believe us? Well, think about voice recognition software. Isn't it miraculously amazing? Who could've imagined our voice commands would hold so much importance and power? Be it Siri, Cortana, Alexa, or Google Home; voice assistants now form a crucial part of our lives. We can communicate, rely on them like a companion to get our everyday tasks done with ease.
In this post, we've compiled a list of 10 best voice recognition software, highlighting special features of each tool, and a quick comparison table laying out all the useful details and information.
But before we jump on that, let's answer a few FAQ's that will allow you the get a basic understanding of speech recognition tools.
What is Speech recognition software, and how does it work?
So, what exactly is a speech recognition software? In simple parlance, a speech recognition tool is used for converting our oral speech or anything you say in the form of words into a written text.
The objective of a voice recognition tool is to take the human voice as an input, process it to further break it down in the form of words, and then transcribe it in the form of text. The tool converts analog values into digital ones so that your device can understand whatever you spoke.
What is voice recognition software used for?
Voice Recognizer software are used in various applications, whether you want to operate a device, perform dictation related tasks, or simply use it when you're in no mood to type on the keyboard.
Apart from this, voice recognition tools prove out to be a great help to people with cognitive disabilities who face trouble with reading and writing. They can easily use such tools to get their work done using voice commands.
A Comparison Table
We hope this quick comparison table, including the top 10 speech recognition tools, will help you pick the best from the lot.
S. no | Voice Recognition Tool | Compatible Platform | Price |
1 | Dragon Naturally Speaking | Windows | Packages starting from 150$ |
2 | Speechnotes | Web, Android, iOS | Free |
3 | Amazon Lex | Application-based | Usage-based |
4 | Siri | iOS | Free |
5 | Voice Finger | Windows | Full Version Available for 9.99$ |
6 | Speech Texter | Web, Android | Free |
7 | Braina Pro | Windows, iOS, Android | Packages starting from 139$ |
8 | E-Speaking | Windows | Free |
9 | Apple Dictation | macOS | Free |
10 | Cortana | Windows | Free |
Now, let's learn about all about these-above-mentioned tools in a detailed manner.
10 Best Voice Recognition Software in 2020
1. Dragon Naturally Speaking
Developed by Nuance Communications, Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a fantastic voice recognition software for the Windows platform. It offers you the fastest and accurate way to convert your speech into textual format. The tool comes with an easy to use minimal designed interface that allows you to get more done to boost your productivity. You can easily create, edit, or format your texts with the help of your voice commands and be a master of dictation within no time.
2. Speechnotes
Speechnotes is an online speech to notes converter platform where you can easily dictate anything with your voice commands. Speechnotes happen to be one of the fastest and accurate speeches to text converter tool available online. If you're looking for a free voice recognition software and not willing to invest in buying software, Speechnotes is an ideal pick. Using Speechnotes is super simple, just head on to its official website, tap the mic icon to begin. As soon as you start dictating, your speech will automatically be converted into text.
3. Amazon Lex
Amazon Lex is a powerful tool that converts your speech into a digital format. Powered by advanced deep learning functionalities, Amazon Lex offers an easy to use conversational interface that quickly understands your natural language. We've all heard of Alexa, right? So, Alexa is also one of Amazon Lex's application that converts our voice commands to process our requests.
4. Siri
Yes, our very own Siri that comes pre-installed with all Apple devices. Siri is an ultimate example to understand the voice recognition process. We often use Siri to call someone, send a text on our behalf, to know about weather updates or current traffic conditions of your commute, setting up reminders, be it anything. Siri helps you in getting everything done in a hands-free mode, with your mere voice commands.
5. Voice Finger
Voice Finger is another speech recognition tool that allows you to take complete control over your mouse and keyboard. With the help of Voice Finger tool, you can operate your device with minimum or zero contact. People with reading and writing disabilities can take great use of this tool to get their tasks done and operate their system with full control.
Voice Recognition Software For Mac
6. Speech Texter
Speech Texter is another web app, just like Speechnotes that accurately converts your speech into text within no time. Speech Texter is an intuitive, professional application that can be of great use for bloggers, students, teachers, or anyone with cognitive disabilities. Using a voice recognition tool like Speech Texter can minimize your typing efforts significantly.
7. Braina Pro
Powered with exceptional Artificial Intelligence skills, Braina is one powerful speech to text recognizer software. Braina can be your voice assistant that accurately converts your speech into text with minimal efforts. It comes with a simple, easy to use interface ideal for both beginners and professionals. Braina Pro's recognition skills are flawless as it can easily convert multiple languages at once, and understand all types of accents in one go.
8. e-Speaking
e-Speaking offers you a great way to interact with your PC with your voice commands. It features more than 100 built-in voice commands that you can put to best use. Not just this, you can also add your customized commands to this list for a seamless speech-to-text conversion experience. From dictating emails to documents to controlling your device, e-Speaking is ideal for everything.
9. Apple Dictation
Apple Dictation can prove out to be one of the best voice recognition tools to use on your Mac. It easily converts your voice-to-text offering you full control to operate your Mac. Interacting with your Mac with your voice commands is a whole new magical experience. Type, edit or format documents, use it to control your device through voice commands, and get everything done in zero contact with the help of the Apple Dictation tool.
10. Cortana
Cortana is nonetheless but Windows's delight that allows you to control your entire device through speech or voice commands. Cortana effortlessly tries to be your voice assistant for Windows, allowing you to achieve more with less effort. From playing your favorite music tracks to searching the web to maintaining your to-do lists, Cortana possesses exceptional speech recognizing skills.
Speech Recognition Software For Mac Reviews
Conclusion
Best Free Speech Recognition Software For Mac
This wraps our guide on 10 best voice recognition software that can boost your productivity on any virtual platform, including Windows, iOS, Android, or web. Do you think voice recognition tools make our lives a lot simpler? Feel free to share your insights in the comments space. We'd be more than happy to hear from you.