Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

Text Reader Narrator is the most powerful text-to-speech app on the App Store. Convert any text, document, or scanned image into natural-sounding audio with one tap. WHAT'S NEW IN v4.2.0 - Import PDF, DOCX, EPUB and TXT files directly from the Files app - Camera OCR: Point your camera at any text and listen instantly - Background Playback with Control Center integration - Word-by-word karaoke highlighting as you listen - Export narrations to M4A audio files - Home Screen Widget and Dynamic Island support - Improved HD voices across 40+ languages KEY FEATURES Read Any Text Aloud Paste text, import documents, or scan with your camera. Text Reader Narrator supports PDF, DOCX, EPUB, TXT, and web articles. Every word is read aloud with natural, high-quality voices. 40+ Languages and Voices Choose from dozens of voices in over 40 languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, and Arabic. Premium HD voices sound remarkably natural. Listen Anywhere Play in the background while you work, exercise, or commute. Full Control Center and lock screen controls. Connect to Bluetooth speakers, AirPods, or CarPlay. Word-by-Word Highlighting Follow along as each word is highlighted in real time. Adjust reading speed from 0.5x to 3x. Perfect for studying, language learning, and accessibility. Export Audio Save any narration as an M4A audio file. Build your personal audiobook library. Share audio files with friends or listen offline. Camera OCR Point your camera at a book, sign, menu, or any printed text. Our OCR engine recognizes text instantly and reads it aloud. Great for people with visual impairments. Widget and Dynamic Island Access your recent texts from the Home Screen widget. See playback controls on the Dynamic Island while multitasking. FREE TO USE Get 1,000 free characters every day. Watch a short video for 500 extra characters. Subscribe for unlimited access with no ads. Text Reader Narrator is perfect for: - Students studying textbooks and articles - Professionals listening to documents on the go - Language learners improving pronunciation - People with dyslexia or visual impairments - Anyone who prefers listening over reading Download now and turn any text into audio. Terms & Condition: https://ghapps1.wordpress.com/terms-condition/ Privacy Policy: https://ghapps1.wordpress.com/privacy-policy/

About

Text to Speech PDF Reader

Listen to your PDF documents with a variety of high-quality voices and languages. The app highlights words as it reads, automatically scrolls pages, and remembers your reading progress. Save and access specific text sections as highlights.

Highlights
  • Listen to PDF documents
  • Multiple high-quality voices and languages
  • Word highlighting and automatic scrolling
  • Resume reading from last position
  • Save and access text highlights
  • Crop feature to skip content
  • Sync documents across devices
Features
Read 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

Text Reader Narrator4 screens
Text to Speech PDF Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Text Reader Narrator at free with in-app purchases against Text to Speech PDF Reader's subscription. Text to Speech PDF Reader's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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. Text Reader Narrator sells 3 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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 552 ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Text Reader Narrator's written reviews are positive against 46% of Text to Speech PDF Reader's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Text Reader Narrator ships an update every 3 months, Text to Speech PDF Reader every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Text Reader Narrator versus Text to Speech PDF Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterText Reader NarratorText to Speech PDF Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (31 ratings)4.5 (552 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews45.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings31552 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGrima HdezBret Lester

Customer experience

Text Reader Narrator

All ratings31 ratings
Positive74.2%
Neutral9.7%
Negative16.1%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%

Text to Speech PDF Reader

All ratings552 ratings
Positive86.1%
Neutral4.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews166 reviews
Positive45.8%
Neutral4.8%
Negative49.4%

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 more
  • 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 more
  • Add ability to skip headers/page numbers
  • Improve pronunciation of uncommon words

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Text Reader Narrator

Subscriptions3
  • TTS PRO week sub3 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • TTS & STT PRO mounth sub$0.991 Month
  • TTS PRO yearly sub$34.991 Year
10 purchases

Text to Speech PDF Reader

Subscriptions9
  • TTSPDF Unlimited Weekly7 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • TTS PDF Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • Premium Weekly$9.997 Days
Show 6 more
  • 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
One-time1
  • 1 Million Characters$39.99

Questions

Is Text Reader Narrator free?
Text Reader Narrator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Text to Speech PDF Reader free?
Text to Speech PDF Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Text Reader Narrator or Text to Speech PDF Reader?
Text to Speech PDF Reader is rated higher. Text Reader Narrator averages 4.1 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Text to Speech PDF Reader averages 4.5 from 552 ratings.
Do Text Reader Narrator or Text to Speech PDF Reader have ads?
Text Reader Narrator shows ads; Text to Speech PDF Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, Text Reader Narrator or Text to Speech PDF Reader?
Text Reader Narrator ships an update every 3 months, and Text to Speech PDF Reader every 10 days. Most recently, Text Reader Narrator was updated on October 5, 2026 and Text to Speech PDF Reader on October 17, 2026.

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