Speech Central is built for focused, serious reading — across PDFs, web articles, books, and documents.
Designed for productivity and accessibility, it combines powerful controls, deep customization, and seamless integration across Apple devices.
No subscription. A one-time upgrade unlocks unlimited use. Free access is available for blind users with VoiceOver and for schools deploying the app through Apple School Manager.
READING WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS
Optimized PDF & Web Reading
• Accurate reading order and navigation
• Optional cleanup to reduce distractions such as headers, footnotes, citations, and links
• RSS support and easy sharing from Safari and other apps
Broad Document Support
• PDF (including scanned PDFs)
• EPUB
• Word (.docx)
• PowerPoint (.pptx)
• OpenOffice formats
• HTML, TXT, RTF, Markdown, and more
VOICES: OFFLINE AND CLOUD AI
• Use high-quality Apple system voices offline
• Connect cloud AI voices (OpenAI-compatible APIs, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, xAI) using your own API keys
• Proprietary enhancement layer improves realism and streaming playback
• Optional AI summarization tools help you review content more efficiently
BUILT FOR THE APPLE ECOSYSTEM
• Sync reading position and playlists across iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• CarPlay support for listening and control in your vehicle
• Independent Apple Watch app — listen without your iPhone nearby
• Optional Health integration to track mindful listening time
ACCESSIBILITY FIRST
• Dedicated profiles for ADHD, dyslexia, and low vision
• Interface and reading behavior adapt for reduced distraction and improved comprehension
• Fully accessible with VoiceOver
STUDY & KNOWLEDGE TOOLS
• Annotate while reading
• Export annotated text to .docx
• Export text to audio files for offline listening
PRIVACY BY DESIGN
• No ads
• No tracking
• No usage analytics
WHO USES SPEECH CENTRAL
• Students and researchers
• Professionals converting reading into listening time
• Users who rely on assistive reading tools
• Anyone who prefers distraction-reduced, hands-free reading
Notes:
- Free version limited by the number of daily articles; unlimited access available with Pro upgrade.
- Some features require the latest OS version.
- License is valid only on iOS/watchOS; separate licenses required for other platforms.
- DRM-protected books (e.g. Kindle) are incompatible.
- AI features may occasionally perform unexpectedly.
Update: I still have a problem with the text being read not being highlighted sometimes. And also moving the screen will sometimes pause the audio along with other actions such as exiting the app. My main issue is the app isn’t designed for large paragraphs, the screen will not be following what is being said during a large paragraph so it has to be manually moved, and pausing the audio and resuming it will take the screen back to the top of the large paragraph despite text being read halfway through the paragraph. It would also be nice if text could be read from any point, not just from the start of a paragraph, so to resume from a point in the middle of a paragraph I have to start at the beginning and skip ahead until I’m about at the same point.
Developer Response
Update 2: The app should now properly handle most if not all large paragraphs. Ensure that you have the latest update and then please update the review, thanks! (Update: you can long tap the word and there is the menu item 'Play' so you can start the reproduction from that sentence.)
Good app for Apple Watch pro
凛書空
Good app I’m saving to buy the premium version but I’ve added three pdf books but only two of them sync to my Apple Watch which is where I mostly use this app but I’m very worried I can’t find a way t sync my watch with what is on my phone I even tried deleting the app and re-downloading. This app is good you can choose the built in voices with the iPhone and even the really good ones but you need to download them first also you can’t use the Siri voice one which is why when I read pdf I just use the iPhone read text function to read along with the book but for moments on the go I always use my watch to sit down somewhere and read along or just even listen. It would be very cool to use the siri voices too but I am assuming it’s impossible because Apple restricts them only to system functions which is why I started a campaign against Apple to implement the mechanism that would allow you to give apps permission to use Siri voices. I’ll try my best to find the Books & Articles > Storage > ‘Sync across Apple devices’ is enabled on each and every device or I might have to find a way to contact apples head quarters to restore my syncing capacity capabilities in case they removed mine
Best free speech app
PerianthLillith
I came to this app after using a different app with a ridiculously priced subscription fee (naming no names) This app is pretty much on the same level reading wise and though it has less voices it honestly doesn’t matter in the function of the app. I think the only thing I miss is the search and replace all function when editing the text, which was useful to replace word pronunciations that are wrong. I love the sleep timer meaning I don’t leave it playing all night. Also has adjustable text fonts and sizes and highlighting colours. Thank you for making this app.Edit: I have tried to correct pronunciations in the apple setting but this does not come through to the app unfortunately. Please me know if I’m doing something wrong.
Developer Response
Unfortunately users of that app were trained to a wrong behaviour to set some things in the app instead of on the iPhone settings. What you ask for is already provided by Apple in iPhone Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > Pronunciation and once set the rules work in all apps (including in theirs).
Great, but has a few bugs
Monster Doughnut
I’ve been using this app for a few years and overall it does 90% of what I want. The only gripe I have with it is that it doesn’t play very nicely with AirPods. It seems to interpret the in ear detection as a toggle so that sometimes when I take out one of my AirPods from one of my ears, it will just start playing. Occasionally it also starts playing on speaker when I put my AirPods away.
Option to select default folder for import (e.g. from share)
Version 17.4.5
The developer, Labsii, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary based, for example, on the features you use or your age. Learn More
The developer indicated that this app supports the following accessibility features. Learn More