Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology opens up a world of written content for individuals with visual impairments or reading challenges and provides a convenient way for multitaskers to engage with articles and reports on the go.

Beyond its practical benefits, TTS adds a unique charm to the reading experience, evoking the rich tradition of oral storytelling in our digital age. As TTS technology advances, the once-robotic voices are evolving into nuanced, human-like speech. Discover Waves by Smallest.ai for an exceptional, realistic audio experience.

With the rise of iOS devices, content consumption has surged across various regions, underscoring the need for more inclusive and accessible content standards. iOS apps offer a streamlined interface for interacting with text-based content, making reading and learning both engaging and personalized.

How to Choose the Best Text-to-Speech (TTS) App?

When selecting a TTS app from the App Store, consider these essential criteria:

1. Onboarding Time - Speed of setup after installation, including registration.
2. Usability - Supported file formats (e.g., PDFs, text, ePub, web pages).
3. Cost - Pricing structure (free, free tier, or subscription).
4. Voice Quality - Clarity, naturalness, and customization options of the speech output.

Evaluating TTS apps against these criteria helps users make well-informed choices to suit their needs effectively.

Best TTS Apps for iOS

To assess each TTS app objectively, we use a weighted scoring system, assigning priority-based weights to critical factors on a 1–5 scale. Each app is rated on a 1–10 scale per factor. The overall score is calculated as:

Total Score = ∑ (Score × Weight)

Scoring Criteria

1. Onboarding Time - Weight: 4
2. Voice Quality - Weight: 3
3. Usability - Weight: 2
4. Cost - Weight: 1

This scoring structure provides an objective basis for comparing the performance of each app.

1. Narrator’s Voice

Narrator’s Voice is a user-friendly TTS app with offline support and voice customization. However, ads in the free version may impact the experience.

• Onboarding Time: 8/10 (Weight 4)
• Voice Quality: 8/10 (Weight 3)
• Usability: 9/10 (Weight 2)
• Cost: 7/10 (Weight 1)

Total Score: 81/100

2. Natural Reader

Natural Reader includes a dyslexia-friendly font and a pronunciation editor but has a signup process and limits its free trial.

• Onboarding Time: 10/10 (Weight 4)
• Voice Quality: 9/10 (Weight 3)
• Usability: 9/10 (Weight 2)
• Cost: 7/10 (Weight 1)

Total Score: 92/100

3. Voice Dream

Voice Dream is accessible for users with visual and cognitive challenges, offering 100+ voices in 30 languages and customizable audio. It’s iOS-only with a one-time $9.99 fee and in-app purchases for voices.

• Onboarding Time: 8/10 (Weight 4)
• Voice Quality: 8/10 (Weight 3)
• Usability: 7/10 (Weight 2)
• Cost: 7/10 (Weight 1)

Total Score: 77/100

4. Speechify

Speechify converts PDFs, emails, and Kindle books into audio, with various realistic AI voices. Its free plan has limits on word count and audio quality.

• Onboarding Time: 8/10 (Weight 4)
• Voice Quality: 10/10 (Weight 3)
• Usability: 10/10 (Weight 2)
• Cost: 7/10 (Weight 1)

Total Score: 89/100

5. Text to Speech!

This app supports large texts and multiple languages, focusing on ease of use with high-quality audio output.

• Onboarding Time: 9/10 (Weight 4)
• Voice Quality: 9/10 (Weight 3)
• Usability: 9/10 (Weight 2)
• Cost: 7/10 (Weight 1)

Total Score: 88/100

6. Speak4Me

Speak4Me provides versatile TTS functionality, converting text into natural audio with multiple voices and language options. It has a clean UI and supports dyslexia-friendly fonts.

• Onboarding Time: 8/10 (Weight 4)
• Voice Quality: 8/10 (Weight 3)
• Usability: 9/10 (Weight 2)
• Cost: 6/10 (Weight 1)

Total Score: 80/100

Rankings Based on Scores

1. NaturalReader
2. Speechify
3. Text to Speech!
4. Narrator's Voice
5. Speak4Me
6. Voice Dream

The rankings are based on the criteria above and are purely statistical. Feel free to try them out yourself to see which fits you best.

Conclusion

Choosing the best TTS app involves evaluating factors such as onboarding speed, voice quality, usability, and cost. While our weighted scoring system provides an objective comparison, individual preferences and needs may affect the ideal choice. Whether for productivity, accessibility, or the joy of listening, TTS apps offer a versatile way to consume content, making it more inclusive and enjoyable.

For those interested in cutting-edge voice synthesis, Waves by Smallest.ai offers top-notch, natural sound quality that’s both efficient and affordable. Try it out here and elevate your listening experience.