Comparison

Total Reader vs Timbre

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Total Reader

This app converts text files into natural-sounding speech, allowing users to listen to documents while following along with highlighted text. It supports a wide range of file formats and over 30 languages, with easy import options from cloud storage and computers.

Highlights
  • Reads documents aloud
  • Converts text to natural voice
  • Highlights spoken words
  • Supports PDF, Word, PowerPoint, RTF
  • Imports from cloud storage
  • Supports over 30 languages
Features
Read full description

Transform the way you consume text with Total Reader, your ultimate AI text to speech voice reader. Whether you want to listen to a work presentation hands-free, study complex documents, or enjoy your favorite EPUB on the go, our advanced speech synthesis engine converts written words into fluent, natural-sounding audio. Why choose Total Reader? Our advanced context-aware reader intelligently processes dates, numbers, and abbreviations, delivering a flawless, human-like narration experience that outperforms standard read-aloud tools. KEY FEATURES: • Advanced Speech Synthesis: Experience premium, expressive text-to-speech engines across 30+ languages for a smooth, fatigue-free listening experience. • Versatile Document Support: Import and read aloud PDFs, MS Word (.doc & .docx), Powerpoint presentations, RTF, and plain text files seamlessly. • Instant Web Reading: Save time by listening to articles, essays, and news directly from the web instead of straining your eyes. • Smart Document Scanner: Instantly digitize physical printed books, notes, or documents using the built-in OCR scanner to read them aloud. • Visual Reading Follow-Along: Boost your comprehension and focus with synchronized word-by-word visual highlighting as the audio plays. • Seamless Cloud Import: Easily fetch files directly from Apple Mail, Dropbox, Google Drive, or transfer them straight from your Mac or PC. • Custom Reading Environment: Personalize your app experience with beautiful, customizable themes optimized for both daytime and night reading. MULTILINGUAL SUPPORT: Total Reader reads documents flawlessly in over 30 languages and regional accents, including English (US, UK, Irish, Australian), Spanish (including Mexican), Portuguese (including Brazilian), Russian, German, French, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and many more. Streamline your daily routine and maximize your productivity. Download Total Reader today to experience the future of spoken audio content! https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Timbre

Listen to your books aloud with natural-sounding voices and adjustable speeds. Highlight text as it's read to improve comprehension. Convert physical books into audiobooks by capturing images.

Highlights
  • Listen at 2X speed
  • Natural human voices
  • Text highlighting
  • Convert books to audiobooks
  • Free voice option
Read full description

Text-to-Speech from Timbre allows you to listen to your books aloud. FEATURES YOU'LL LOVE: • Listen to your books at 2X speed Our high quality voices allow you to breeze through your books at up to 2X speed so you can learn even quicker! • Natural sounding Human voices Our premium voices sound more natural and smooth than typical robotic AI readers. We offer a free voice for users to try out the app without a subscription. • Follow along with Text Highlighting The text of your books is highlighted and synchronized with the sentence and word being read aloud. Letting you retain more information by following audio and visual cues at the same time. • Listen to Books off Your Shelf Use our app to capture pictures of the books you're reading and turn it into an audiobook. Is a book really starting to drag? Use our app to turn it into and audiobook to get back on track. Timbre was created to provide a low barrier way to allow people to read more. We have all had that experience of struggling to book, repeating the same paragraph because its hard to focus, etc. So we designed Timbre to make it easier for everyone to read books with less friction. Please let us know if there are any features that you would like to see created or improved. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://pasos.io/privacy-policy Users are able to use the app without a subscription using our free voice only. Please note that a subscription is required to use the premium voices of Timbre. Timbre Monthly Subscription - $19.99 Timbre Annual Subscription - $99.00

Screenshots

Total Reader4 screens
Timbre4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Timbre at none against Total Reader's shown. Timbre also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Total Reader's advantage is ratings volume (37 vs 5) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Total Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Timbre sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Timbre holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Total Reader has 37 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Total Reader ships an update every 2 months, Timbre every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Total Reader versus Timbre: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTotal ReaderTimbre
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (37 ratings)4.2 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews13.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings37 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB216 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStorchJack Ransom

Customer experience

Total Reader

All ratings37 ratings
Positive67.6%
Neutral8.1%
Negative24.3%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive13.3%
Neutral13.3%
Negative73.3%

Timbre

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Total Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Account for 1 month.$2.991 Month
  • Premium Account for 1 year.$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Total Reader Premium Lifetime.$39.99
2 purchases

Timbre

Subscriptions2
  • Timbre Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Timbre Annual Subscription$99.001 Year

Questions

Is Total Reader free?
Total Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Timbre free?
Timbre is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Total Reader or Timbre?
Timbre is rated higher. Total Reader averages 3.8 out of 5 from 37 ratings, while Timbre averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do Total Reader or Timbre have ads?
Total Reader shows ads; Timbre does not.
Which is updated more often, Total Reader or Timbre?
Total Reader ships an update every 2 months, and Timbre every 3 weeks. Most recently, Total Reader was updated on October 24, 2026 and Timbre on October 7, 2026.

Other comparisons