Screen readers are software used by blind or visually impaired people to read the content of the computer screen.

Text readers are software used by people with various forms of learning disabilities that affect their ability to read text. This software will read text with a synthesized voice and may have a highlighter to emphasize the word being spoken.

NVDA

Free – Windows only
NVDA is a free screen reader for the Windows operating system, providing a speech synthesizer supporting over 50 languages, the input of Braille, and other highlights.

Click here to learn more about it.

JAWS

Paid  – Windows only
One of the most popular screen readers, JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is a paid solution that provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications on PC.

Click here to learn more about it.

Natural Reader

Free and Paid – Mac and Windows

NaturalReader is a downloadable text-to-speech desktop software for personal use. Available with a one-time payment for a perpetual license. It also provides a free version with limited features. 

Click here to learn more about it.

Windows Narrator

Embedded in Windows 

Narrator is a screen reader app built into Windows 10. 

Click here to learn more about it.

VoiceOver and VoiceOver + Braille

Embedded in Apple devices

VoiceOver is the Apple screen reader, available on any Apple device such as Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It also provides the option no enable Braille descriptions.

Click here to learn more about it. 

TalkBack

Embedded in Android devices

The TalkBack screen reader speaks text and image content on Android devices. It also provides a Braille keyboard. 

Click here to learn more about it.