Introduction to Speechify
Speechify is a renowned text-to-speech app developed to assist users in reading, particularly catering to those with ADHD, dyslexia, and other reading difficulties. Designed to enhance productivity, Speechify offers both mobile applications and a Chrome extension, catering to a wider user base.
Utility and Features
Speechify stands out with its extensive array of features. The OCR Reader and PDF Import allow users to input articles, PDFs, or even images of book pages, which the app then reads aloud. This is particularly useful for users who might want to ‘read’ a physical book while on the go. Its cross-platform availability ensures that users can leverage its benefits, whether they’re on their phones or computers. Another unique feature is its built-in translator, allowing for content translation. One of its main selling points is its claim to double users’ reading speeds, moving from an average of 200 words per minute to 400 or more, significantly boosting comprehension.
Pricing Concerns
Speechify’s pricing strategy is a matter of contention. The app does not transparently list its prices on the website, requiring potential users to install the Chrome extension or mobile app to find out. Once installed, they offer a 3-day free trial followed by a yearly subscription of $139. There have been user complaints about unexpected deductions during the trial period, and there’s no clarity on monthly or lifetime plans. Moreover, the pricing varies across countries, which can be a turn-off for many potential users.
Performance and Voice Quality
While Speechify offers both natural and robotic voices, user feedback indicates a preference for the more natural-sounding options. However, these HD voices are limited to 1.5 million characters annually. In contrast, the robotic voices, though unlimited, may not offer a pleasant listening experience for extended periods. The app supports 29 languages, but the HD voice range is not equally distributed across all languages, limiting its appeal for non-English users.
Comparison to Competitors
MicMonster emerges as a fierce competitor to Speechify. Not only does it offer similar features at a more affordable rate, but it also provides a wider variety of languages (129 vs. Speechify’s 29) and a larger voice database. Furthermore, MicMonster voices are noted to sound more natural, and it offers additional features like various voice styles and the ability to export audio as MP3.
Conclusion
It’s evident that while Speechify offers a commendable range of features and caters to a niche audience, it faces challenges in terms of pricing transparency, voice quality, and stiff competition from apps like Eleven Labs. Users need to weigh its features against its price and consider alternatives before making a decision.
