🔊 Reading aloud and accessibility
Seeing AI
By Microsoft. Visit Seeing AI
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
Seeing AI is a free Microsoft app for blind and low-vision people that uses the phone's camera to read and describe the world. It reads short text as soon as it appears, guides the user to capture a full page, and lets them ask questions about a document. It describes photos, answers follow-up questions, recognizes people the user has taught it, reads handwriting, and on iPhones with LiDAR announces nearby objects with spatial audio.
Our take: A strong free tool for blind or low-vision kids and their families; teach children that its descriptions can be wrong.
| Ages it suits | all ages (built for blind and low-vision users) |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | No account is needed and no Seeing AI-specific terms were found. The App Store rates it 4+ and Google Play rates it Everyone; Microsoft's general privacy statement requires parental consent for a Microsoft account under 13. (terms) |
| Price | Free. Free (Oct 2026). |
| Works on | iPhone and iPad, Android |
| Account | No account needed |
| Ads | None |
| In-app purchases | None |
| The AI in it | Computer vision and AI models read text, describe scenes and answer questions about photos and documents. |
What's good
- Free, no ads, no account
- Reads print aloud quickly
- Describes photos and scenes
- 19 languages
Watch for
- AI descriptions can be wrong
- Recognizes faces of people you name
- Called a research project, so features may change
Data and privacy
On Google Play, Microsoft states no data is collected or shared; on the App Store it lists device ID, usage and diagnostic data that are not linked to the user. Microsoft calls the app an ongoing research project. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
No independent study with children found; Microsoft says it was designed with the blind and low-vision community.
In the Big Index
- On the list 14 AI tools that help kids with learning differences
- The maker in the who's who: Microsoft
Alternatives to Seeing AI
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.
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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.
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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.
Where these facts come from
- https://www.seeingai.com/
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/seeing-ai/id999062298
- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.seeingai&hl=en_US
- https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.