Text Reader Narrator vs Text to Speech PDF Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Text Reader Narrator
Convert any text, document, or scanned image into natural-sounding audio. Supports over 40 languages and offers background playback with highlighting. Export narrations as audio files.
- Text-to-speech conversion
- Import PDF, DOCX, EPUB, TXT
- Camera OCR for scanned text
- Background playback
- Word-by-word highlighting
- Export audio to M4A
- Supports 40+ languages
Read full descriptionHide full description
Text Reader Narrator reads text out loud with the voices installed on your iPhone. Paste or type text, import text files and web pages, and listen with word-by-word highlighting. No account, no sign-up. Works offline once a voice is installed. WHAT IT DOES • Reads text aloud with word highlighting; Pause keeps your place • Imports TXT files and web pages (URL) for free; PDF, Word (.docx) and ePub (text only) with PRO • Scans printed pages with the camera (PRO) • Document library with Continue Reading and smart playlists • Speech to text: dictate and get the text back (iPhone microphone, device language) • Exports a narration as an M4A file (PRO) • Any voice installed on your iPhone, with speed, pitch and volume sliders FREE AND PRO Free, with ads: 5,000 characters a day, plus 2,000 for each short video you watch, up to 5 a day. PRO (subscription or one-time purchase) removes the ads and the daily limit, and unlocks PDF, Word and ePub import, camera scan, M4A export and reading fonts. GOOD TO KNOW • The voices are the ones built into iOS; you can download more in iOS Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content. The app has no AI or cloud voices. • PDF import reads the text layer only. • Lock screen controls work for playback started from Documents or playlists, not from the Reader. Terms of Use: https://masaapps360.com/tts-1501312978/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://masaapps360.com/tts-1501312978/privacy/
Text to Speech PDF Reader
Listen to PDF documents with a text-to-speech reader that highlights words as it reads. Save favorite text sections, crop unwanted content, and enjoy features like Dark Mode and dynamic type. Sync across devices for seamless reading.
- High-quality voices in multiple languages
- Word highlighting and automatic page scrolling
- Save and access highlighted text sections
- Crop unwanted content
- Dark Mode and dynamic type support
- Cross-device document syncing
Read full descriptionHide full description
Read along to enhance comprehension or just kick back and listen to any PDF. * Dozens of high-quality voices in multiple languages to choose from with additional voices available to download on your device for free. * Choose a primary and secondary voice and switch between them easily as you read. * The app will highlight words as it reads and scroll the page automatically. * The app will remember where you left off and scroll to that position automatically next time you open a document. * Select any portion of text to save it as a highlight. * Tap any of your saved highlights and the app will open the pdf and scroll to the appropriate position. * Use the crop feature to skip repeated content that you don't want the app to read. * Support for dynamic type. * Support for Dark Mode. * Save as many pdfs as you want. * Optionally sync your documents with all of your iOS/iPadOS devices. If you enjoy the app please let us know through the in-app contact form and don't forget to rate us! Thank you for trying TTS PDF. --- "TTS PDF Yearly" is an annual auto-renewable subscription for $9.99. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You can turn off auto-renew up to 24 hours before your next subscription payment is due via your App Store settings page. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://bretlester.com/app_content/ttspdf_terms.html Privacy Policy: https://bretlester.com/app_content/ttspdf_privacy_policy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Text to Speech PDF Reader at none against Text Reader Narrator's shown. Text to Speech PDF Reader also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, review sentiment, 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
Both are free to download. Text Reader Narrator sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Text to Speech PDF Reader sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Text to Speech PDF Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Text to Speech PDF Reader has 561 ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of Text Reader Narrator's written reviews are positive against 46% of Text to Speech PDF Reader's.
Text Reader Narrator ships an update every 6 weeks, Text to Speech PDF Reader every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Text Reader Narrator | Text to Speech PDF Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (32 ratings) | 4.5 (561 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 38.5% of reviews | 45.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 32 | 561 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Grima Hdez | Bret Lester |
Customer experience
Text Reader Narrator
Text to Speech PDF Reader
Bugs and requests
Text Reader Narrator
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Text to Speech PDF Reader
Reported bugs
8 issues- Skips paragraphs and double plays when pausing
- Erased files without consent
- Doesn't work with two-column text
- Reads text backwards
- Unable to copy/paste or open certain files
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Skips sentences and doesn't read column text in the correct order
- Skips whole paragraphs
- Glitches and gets stuck in a reading loop
Requested features
7 requests- Add ability to read alternate text (alttext) in PDFs
- Improve voice quality and options
- Add ability to organize files in folders
- Add mobile-friendly version
- Improve handling of scanned/column PDFs
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Add ability to skip headers/page numbers
- Improve pronunciation of uncommon words
In-app purchases
Text Reader Narrator
- Pro Weekly3 Days trial$0.997 Days
- Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
- Pro Yearly$7.991 Year
- TTS Plus Lifetime$14.99
Text to Speech PDF Reader
- TTSPDF Unlimited Weekly7 Days trial$0.997 Days
- TTS PDF Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
- Premium Weekly$9.997 Days
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Premium Weekly7 Days trial$9.997 Days
- TTS PDF Basic7 Days trial$12.991 Year
- Premium Monthly$29.991 Month
- Premium Monthly7 Days trial$29.991 Month
- Premium Annual$119.991 Year
- Premium Annual7 Days trial$119.991 Year
- 1 Million Characters$39.99
Questions
Is Text Reader Narrator free?
Is Text to Speech PDF Reader free?
Which has better reviews, Text Reader Narrator or Text to Speech PDF Reader?
Do Text Reader Narrator or Text to Speech PDF Reader have ads?
Which is updated more often, Text Reader Narrator or Text to Speech PDF Reader?
Other comparisons















