Go to speechify.com or download the app for iOS, Android, or install the Chrome extension. Free version gets you basic text-to-speech. Premium unlocks better voices and faster speeds.
Open a webpage, PDF, or document you want to listen to. Click the Speechify icon in your browser or app.
Speechify starts reading aloud. You can adjust the speed (1.5x is a good starting point - faster than normal reading but still clear).
Switch voices if the default sounds robotic. Premium voices sound way more natural - some are nearly indistinguishable from real people.
Keep listening while you walk, cook, commute, or do anything where reading isn't practical.
Ways to Use It
Listen to articles instead of reading them. Save links during the day, then listen while you're doing dishes or driving. You'll actually get through that backlog of saved articles.
Turn PDFs and docs into audiobooks. Upload reports, ebooks, or work documents and listen instead of staring at a screen for an hour.
Use voice typing to write faster. Speechify has a dictation feature - speak your thoughts and it converts them to text with automatic grammar fixes and punctuation. Way faster than typing for long emails or notes.
Scan printed text with your phone. Point your camera at a physical page (textbook, printed article, even a receipt) and Speechify reads it aloud. Great for studying or processing paper documents.
Pro Tips
Speed up gradually. Start at 1.3x or 1.5x speed. Once you adjust, bump it to 2x or higher. You'll absorb info way faster without losing comprehension.
Download content for offline listening. If you're going somewhere without internet, save articles or PDFs to your library and download the audio. No connection needed.
Use AI voice cloning (premium feature). Upload a recording of someone's voice (with permission), and Speechify can read text in that voice. Useful for creating personalized audio content or making training materials sound like your actual trainer.
What It's NOT Good For
Dense, complex material that requires deep focus. If you're reading philosophy, legal contracts, or highly technical content, listening won't replace reading. Your brain needs to slow down and re-read sentences.
Content that relies on visuals. Charts, graphs, code blocks - Speechify can't make those make sense by reading the alt text. You'll still need to look at the original.