Microsoft Edge's Read Aloud vs Speechify
Microsoft Edge's built-in Read Aloud feature provides a powerful text-to-speech solution that can rival paid services like Speechify. While Edge has offered this functionality for years, recent comparisons show how it measures up against a paid tool that also provides voice typing and real-time audio processing. Speechify, which launched a Windows application at the start of this year, adds high-quality voices and more personalized settings to its web extension. However, for users who prefer to avoid recurring subscription costs and only need to listen to articles, Edge's free Read Aloud might be a better choice.
After testing both over several weeks, it's clear that each tool excels in different areas. Edge's Read Aloud provides access to a wide array of voices and features that work well for basic needs. But for more advanced users or those looking for greater control, Speechify offers distinct benefits that justify its premium price in certain situations.
Playback Speed Comparison
One key difference is how each tool handles playback speed. Speechify maintains clear and intelligible voices even at higher speeds, with tests showing that users can play back content at 2.2x speed and still follow along. In contrast, Edge's voices become difficult to understand past a speed of around 2x. For those who want to absorb content more quickly, this distinction can be important.
Speechify also offers more expressive voices with labels like 'Resonant' or 'Velvety,' which suggest the tone and style of each voice. These voices have a greater sense of depth and natural variation, making them feel more like the work of a professional voice actor. Edge's 'Natural' voices, while easy to understand and fluid, come across as slightly less dynamic and expressive.
The difference in voice quality is particularly noticeable in extended use cases. For example, if you're listening to a long article or a full-length blog post, the more natural-sounding voices in Speechify can feel more engaging. While Edge's voices are perfectly adequate for casual listening, the added depth and tonal variety in Speechify's options can make for a more immersive experience. This could be especially appealing to users who listen to a lot of content throughout the day.
Handling Web Page Elements
The modern web includes many elements beyond just a block of text. Articles often include block quotes, embedded videos, sidebars, and recommended content. Edge's Read Aloud has trouble distinguishing between the main article and these additional sections, often reading everything in sequence. Speechify, by contrast, is better at identifying the primary content and skipping over irrelevant parts like advertisements and unrelated sidebars. This ability to focus on the core article makes Speechify feel more like a dedicated reading tool.
Both Read Aloud and Speechify skip over ads, which is a helpful feature. However, Edge's version still reads recommended content sections, which can be distracting. Speechify mimics the way a human reader would scan a page and only reads the content that would naturally be read aloud. This results in a smoother and more focused experience for users.
This distinction becomes particularly valuable when reading complex articles that include multiple embedded elements. For example, a typical news article might include a video player, a sidebar with related stories, and inline quotes from a source. Edge's Read Aloud would read through these elements, which could disrupt the flow of the article. Speechify, on the other hand, would treat them as separate and skip over them, preserving the continuity of the main article. This ability to adapt to how users naturally interact with web content is one of the reasons why Speechify feels more like a dedicated reading tool.
Pricing and Features
Edge's Read Aloud is available for free and is included in the browser itself, making it an accessible choice for most users. Speechify, however, comes with a $29 premium subscription that unlocks additional features, including voice typing and improved handling of complex web layouts. For casual users who just want to listen to articles, Edge's free offering may be sufficient. But for those who require more advanced tools, Speechify provides a more comprehensive package.
Speechify's premium tier also includes faster playback speeds, a wider variety of voices, and enhanced punctuation handling for voice typing. The free version of Speechify, on the other hand, limits access to slower speeds and fewer voice options. Edge's Read Aloud does not include voice typing at all, which could be a drawback for those looking to use it for speech-to-text tasks.
For users who already rely on Edge as their primary browser, Read Aloud's integration into the browser makes it an attractive option. It requires no additional installation and can be accessed with just a few clicks. This level of convenience, combined with the fact that it's free, makes it an excellent choice for users who only need basic text-to-speech functionality. However, for those who are looking for a more robust solution with additional features, Speechify's premium offering can be worth the cost.
Ultimately, the choice between Edge's Read Aloud and Speechify depends on the user's specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a straightforward, free tool that works well for most common use cases, Edge's Read Aloud is a solid option. But if you're willing to pay for a more refined experience with additional features, Speechify is worth considering.