Choose ClearRead if you read on iPhone or iPad and want to follow the text as it is read, in a font, spacing and colour that suit you, without paying.
Choose Speechify if you mostly listen rather than read, need Android or a browser extension, or want to scan paper.
Feature comparison
| Feature | ClearRead | Speechify |
|---|---|---|
| Read-aloud with word highlighting | Yes, free | Yes |
| Listening on the free plan | Unlimited, with system voices | Limited voices and features |
| Natural AI voices | Premium subscription | Premium subscription, larger voice range |
| Main focus | Reading along with adjustable text | Listening across devices |
| PDFs, ePubs, web articles, pasted text | Yes | Yes |
| Scan printed pages with the camera | No | Yes |
| Android, web and browser extension | No, iPhone and iPad only | Yes |
Free in ClearRead
- Lexend, OpenDyslexic, Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica and Calibri fonts
- Separate sliders for letter, word, line and paragraph spacing
- Bionic reading
- A focus line that dims everything except the line you are on
- Light, dark, sepia, high-contrast and fully custom colour themes
- PDFs reflowed so your font, spacing and colours apply
- No account needed
Speechify details are based on its App Store listing, website and published reviews in September 2026. Plans change, so check the current listing.
Where ClearRead is different
The free plan is actually usable
ClearRead's text-to-speech with your device's voices has no daily limit. Word highlighting, every font, every spacing control, bionic reading, focus mode and all themes are free, with no account. The only paid feature is natural AI voices.
It changes the text, not just the audio
Dyslexic readers often benefit as much from how text looks as from hearing it. ClearRead gives you separate sliders for letter, word, line and paragraph spacing, Lexend and OpenDyslexic, a focus line that dims everything but the current line, and custom background and text colours. PDFs are reflowed so these settings apply to them too.
Reading along, not just listening
Reading while listening tends to build comprehension and fluency more than listening alone. See the research behind read-along.
Where Speechify is better
- It works on Android, the web and as a Chrome extension. ClearRead is iPhone and iPad only.
- It can scan printed pages with your camera. ClearRead cannot read paper or image-only PDFs.
- It offers a bigger range of premium voices and languages.
Other Speechify alternatives
- Voice Dream Reader for very wide format support, including DAISY and Bookshare.
- ElevenReader for extremely natural AI voices, with a monthly free allowance.
- Microsoft Immersive Reader, free in Edge and Microsoft 365.
- Apple Speak Screen, free and built into every iPhone and iPad.
We compare all of these in the best apps for dyslexia and free text-to-speech apps.