Speechlabel vs Live Read
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Speechlabel
This utility app helps visually impaired individuals label everyday objects. Users can scan barcodes or NFC tags to attach text or voice recordings, which are then read aloud upon rescanning. It's designed for full screen reader accessibility.
- Label objects with text or voice
- Scan barcodes and NFC tags
- Fully accessible with screen readers
- Supports 13 barcode types
- Recognizes common NFC tags
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Speechlabel is an app for visually impaired and blind people to add labels to objects. The app is fully accessible for use with screen readers. You can choose whether you want to scan with the camera or with NFC. The app recognizes 13 different types of barcodes and all common types of NFC tags. After scanning, you can add a label by typing text or recording a message. When the same barcode or NFC tag is re-scanned, this message will be read out.
Live Read
This app uses your device's camera to instantly read printed text aloud. It's designed for individuals with visual impairments, offering an accessible way to read mail, signs, books, and more without internet or setup. Enjoy customizable speech and offline functionality for independent reading.
- Automatic real-time text reading
- Tap and swipe gesture controls
- Customizable natural voice options
- Offline functionality
- Supports over 50 languages
- Private and secure on-device processing
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Live Read turns your camera into a personal reading companion. It instantly finds printed text and speaks it aloud, giving people with visual impairments an easy way to read independently. No setup, no clutter. Read anything around you From mail and books to signs, menus, and labels, Live Read makes everyday reading effortless at home or on the go. Designed for accessibility Every part of Live Read is built for ease of use. Just open the app, point the camera, and it starts reading automatically. Tap anywhere to stop or reset, or swipe to move between lines. Turning on VoiceOver will replace the swipe gestures with buttons. Features • Automatic reading: Text is detected and spoken aloud in real time. • Tap or swipe control: Tap to stop or reset. Swipe left to repeat a line or right to skip ahead a line of text. • Customizable speech: Choose from natural Apple voices and adjust speaking speed. • Works offline: Reads instantly without an internet connection. • Multi-language support: Recognizes printed text in 50+ languages. • Private and secure: Live Read never saves or sends anything you scan. All processing happens instantly and entirely on your device. Disclaimer: Live Read is not a medical device. Text recognition results may not always be accurate or complete. Please use your own judgment and verify information when needed. Testimonial "I am using it on my phone now. It works amazing! And I'm reading an Irish bagpipe music book so the words are unusual and the computer is getting it pretty much right on." - Vision Piping
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Live Read at every 2 weeks against Speechlabel's every 2 months. On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Speechlabel against 4.9 for Live Read. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 7 respectively.
Speechlabel ships an update every 2 months, Live Read every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Speechlabel | Live Read |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (5 ratings) | 4.9 (7 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 83.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 7 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 63 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hable One B.V. | Ryan Anetsberger |
Customer experience
Speechlabel
Live Read
In-app purchases
Speechlabel
No in-app purchases
Live Read
No in-app purchases







