Read Aloud
An open-source reader that speaks any web page out loud.
Why it's a strong pick
Read Aloud turns any article into audio with one click. It is open source under the MIT license, so its code is public on GitHub. It uses Manifest V3, Chrome's current extension format, and it is actively maintained: its code was last changed on 24 September 2026, when it gained word replacements in its advanced options.
What it does
Read Aloud reads the text of the page you are on. You pick a voice, a speed and a pitch, then press play. The page text is highlighted as it is spoken, so you can follow along. You can also start it from a keyboard shortcut or the right-click menu.
Key features
- Many voices. Use your browser's own voices, or cloud voices from Google Wavenet, Amazon Polly, IBM Watson and Microsoft.
- Speed, pitch and voice settings. Tune the sound to what you can follow comfortably.
- Text highlighting. See the words as they are read.
- Keyboard shortcuts and a right-click menu. Start reading without hunting for a button.
- PDF support. Listen to PDF files as well as web pages.
- Word replacements. Fix how a name or term is said in the advanced options.
Who it's for
Read Aloud suits people with dyslexia, early readers, and anyone who would rather listen than read. It also works for long articles you want to hear while you do something else.
Is Read Aloud safe, and what permissions does it ask for?
Read Aloud is open source under MIT, so anyone can read its code. Its manifest asks for these permissions: activeTab, contextMenus, identity, offscreen, scripting, storage, tts and ttsEngine. It lists https://translate.google.com/ as a host. It also lists optional access to all http and https sites and local files. Check the install prompt before you add it.
Do cloud voices send my text to someone else?
Cloud voices use third-party services, and the extension's README names the providers: Google Wavenet, Amazon Polly, IBM Watson and Microsoft. The README has no privacy policy link. We could not read the developer's privacy policy when we checked; read it before installing.
Can Read Aloud read PDF files?
Yes. The README lists PDF support as a feature. Open the file in Chrome, then start Read Aloud the same way you would on a web page. Local files may need extra access: the manifest lists optional access to file URLs. Check the extension's settings and the install prompt if a local file will not play.
FAQ
What is the quickest way to start it? Open a page, click the Read Aloud icon and press play. A keyboard shortcut or the right-click menu also works.
Can I change how fast it reads? Yes. Speed, pitch and voice are all settings.
Is it only for people with reading difficulties? No. Anyone who prefers to listen can use it.
Good to know
Try two or three voices on the same paragraph before you settle. Voices differ a lot in how natural they sound, and the right one makes long listening easier. Cloud voices send text to an outside service, and the README says some may need an in-app purchase.
Other accessibility tools to compare
Read Aloud is one of 6 picks in our accessibility tools guide, which compares them side by side and explains how to choose. The other picks:
- Vimium: Browse with the keyboard.
- Accessibility Insights for Web: Check a page for accessibility problems.
- Colour Contrast Checker: Checks the contrast between two colours against WCAG 2 AA and AAA. Asks only for activeTab. Open source.
- axe DevTools: Deque’s automated accessibility checker, with a free version and a paid Pro plan.
- WAVE Evaluation Tool: WebAIM’s checker that overlays accessibility issues on the page. No price listed.
This is a third-party extension, not built or maintained by Xplorekit. We link to the official Chrome Web Store listing — install and permissions are entirely between you and the extension's own publisher.