The kids' software directory

Reading aloud and accessibility

Text-to-speech, dictation and tools that open the page to every child.

18 researched
1 to know about
135 more on G2, not yet researched

Researched by Peabody

Facts from each maker's own pages (terms, pricing, privacy), with our one-line take. A to Z; we rank nothing until we have tried it.

Desk researchFree
Be My Eyes
Be My Eyes · ages 18+ only
Useful for blind or low-vision adults, including parents; children should not use it, by the maker's own terms.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Bloom Library
SIL Global · ages mostly early readers; some books for adults (health, farming)
A standout for families reading in a home or heritage language; parents should filter by topic, since religious and adult titles mix with children's books.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Bookshare
Benetech (nonprofit) · ages all ages (PreK-12 students through adults)
A free, practical library for US students with a documented print disability; families without that need should use a public library app instead.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
C-Pen Reader
C-Pen (sold in the US by Scanning Pens) · ages school-age readers and adults
Worth a look for a child with dyslexia who reads paper books and worksheets; ask the school first, since many lend them.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Cboard
Cboard (Comunicacion Aumentativa Chile SpA) · ages all ages (children and adults who need AAC)
A low-cost way for families and therapists to try AAC on existing devices; families who need a fully supported, ad-free system funded through insurance may prefer a dedicated AAC product.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Kami
Kami (Kami Limited, also maker of Book Creator) · ages grades K-12 (about 5-18), plus adults
A practical school tool for marking up and turning in work, especially for kids who need read-aloud or translation; parents rarely need it at home.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Learning Ally
Learning Ally, Inc. (nonprofit) · ages grades PreK-12, plus college and adults
A strong choice for a child with dyslexia or a print disability who needs grade-level books; check first whether the school already provides it free.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
LibriVox
LibriVox (volunteer project) · ages all ages (children's genres sit beside adult classics)
A free source of human-read classics for family listening; a parent should pick the book and preview the reader.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Microsoft Immersive Reader
Microsoft · ages all ages (helpful from early readers up)
A useful free helper for any child who struggles with print, especially with dyslexia; it supports reading but does not teach it.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
NaturalReader
NaturalSoft Ltd (Canada) · ages older students and adults; school EDU plans
Useful for teens and parents who want text read aloud; younger children are better served by a school-managed reader.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Open Library
Internet Archive · ages all ages; K-12 Student Library sorted by grade
A useful free backup when the local library lacks a title; parents should set up the account, since the terms say nothing about children.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Pocketalk
Pocketalk · ages school-age children with adults; buyers 18+
Useful for schools and families bridging a language gap in short conversations; for learning a language, a course or tutor is a better fit.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Proloquo2Go
AssistiveWare B.V. · ages children and adults
A leading choice for families and therapists who need a full AAC system on Apple devices; families on a budget should ask about insurance or school funding first.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Read&Write
Everway (formerly Texthelp) · ages grades K-12 and adults
A solid support tool for kids with dyslexia or reading gaps, usually best gotten through school; families buying alone pay $184 a year.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Scanning Pens (C-Pen reading pens)
Scanning Pens (Empowering Tech Group) · ages about 6 and up
A practical tool for children with dyslexia who read paper books and worksheets; families mostly reading on screens can use free built-in text-to-speech instead.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Seeing AI
Microsoft · ages all ages (built for blind and low-vision users)
A strong free tool for blind or low-vision kids and their families; teach children that its descriptions can be wrong.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Speechify
Speechify Inc. · ages teens and adults; children only on a parent's account
Useful for a teen with dyslexia who needs to listen to schoolwork; younger children have simpler free options such as Immersive Reader.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Timekettle translator earbuds
Shenzhen Timekettle Technologies · ages teens and adults; no child-specific design
Useful for multilingual families or schools bridging a language gap; not a tool for young kids, and not a substitute for learning the language.

Know before you buy

Shut down, exposed children's data, or said unsafe things in tests.

WarningFreeNo ads
Project Relate
Google Research · ages adults only (18+)
Not an option for children; families of adults with non-standard speech can watch for it to reopen, and kids should look to AAC apps and speech therapy instead.

Also listed on G2

Products G2 files here that we have not researched yet, in G2's order. Most are built for adults or businesses. G2 categories: Text to Speech Software, AI Voice Dictation, AI Accessibility Tools Software.