Chrome has a built-in screen reader, but you can also add extensions for more features
Google Chrome comes with a screen reader called ChromeVox that reads web pages aloud. You turn it on by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Z (Windows) or Ctrl+Option+Z (Mac). If you want different features — like reading PDFs, highlighting text as it's read, or a different voice — you can add a screen reader extension from the Chrome Web Store instead of using the built-in one.
The most common extensions are Read Aloud, Natural Reader, and Speechify. Each one works slightly differently and costs different amounts. Some are free with limited features. Others charge a monthly fee for full access. This guide explains what screen reader extensions do, how to install one, and which situations each one works best for.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome's built-in ChromeVox screen reader is free and works on any website, but extensions offer different voices, highlighting, and PDF support.
- You install a screen reader extension by searching the Chrome Web Store, clicking "Add to Chrome", and then using it from the extension menu or keyboard shortcut.
- Read Aloud is free and works on most websites; Natural Reader and Speechify charge monthly but offer more voices and offline reading.
- Some extensions read only the visible text on a page, while others can read PDFs, emails, and documents stored in Google Drive.
- If an extension stops working on a specific website, you may need to reload the page, check the extension's permissions, or try a different extension.
What screen reader extensions do differently from ChromeVox
ChromeVox reads web pages aloud and lets you navigate using keyboard commands. It works everywhere in Chrome without installing anything extra. However, it has a smaller selection of voices, and some people find the default voice harder to understand or less natural-sounding.
Extensions like Read Aloud and Natural Reader let you pick from many more voices, adjust reading speed more precisely, and highlight text as it reads. Some extensions also read PDFs and documents in Google Drive, which ChromeVox does not do as smoothly. If you spend a lot of time reading the same type of content — like PDFs for school or work — an extension might save you time.
The trade-off is that extensions only work in Chrome, and some of them cost money. If you use Firefox, Safari, or Edge, you would need a different tool. If you only read web pages and like ChromeVox's voice, the built-in reader is usually enough.
How to install a screen reader extension in Chrome
Step 1: Open Google Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store by typing chrome.google.com/webstore in the address bar.
Step 2: Search for the extension you want. Type "Read Aloud" or "Natural Reader" or "Speechify" in the search box at the top left.
Step 3: Click on the extension name in the search results. Read the description, the number of reviews, and the rating to decide if it is the one you want.
Step 4: Click the blue "Add to Chrome" button on the right side of the page.
Step 5: A popup will ask you to confirm. Click "Add extension" to finish.
Step 6: The extension icon will appear in the top right corner of Chrome, next to the address bar. Click it to open the extension menu, or use the keyboard shortcut listed in the extension's description (usually something like Alt+Shift+X).
Once the extension is installed, it stays in Chrome until you remove it. You can turn it on and off by clicking the icon or using the keyboard shortcut. Some extensions let you change settings like voice, speed, and highlighting by clicking the icon and selecting "Settings" or "Options".
Popular screen reader extensions and what they cost
Read Aloud is free and works on most websites. It reads web pages in a natural voice and lets you adjust the speed. It does not read PDFs or documents in Google Drive. The free version has ads, but you can pay a one-time fee to remove them.
Natural Reader has a free version that reads web pages with basic voices. The paid version costs about $10 per month and includes more voices, the ability to read PDFs and Google Drive documents, and offline reading (so you can download text and listen without internet). You can try the paid version free for 7 days.
Speechify is similar to Natural Reader. The free version reads web pages only. The paid version costs about $12 per month and reads PDFs, documents, and emails. It also has a feature that lets you save articles to read later. You can try it free for 7 days.
Google's built-in ChromeVox is always free and requires no installation. It works on any website and uses keyboard shortcuts to navigate. It has fewer voice options than paid extensions, but it is reliable and does not require a subscription.
How to use a screen reader extension on different types of content
Most extensions work the same way on web pages: you click the extension icon or press the keyboard shortcut, and the page reads aloud. You can pause, resume, and adjust the speed using buttons in the extension menu or keyboard shortcuts.
PDFs are trickier. Some extensions read PDFs that are open in Chrome's built-in PDF viewer, but not all of them. If you download a PDF and open it in Chrome, try clicking the extension icon to see if it reads. If it does not, you may need to use a different tool or open the PDF in a different program. Natural Reader and Speechify both read PDFs reliably, but the free versions of most extensions do not.
Google Drive documents, Sheets, and Slides can be read by Natural Reader and Speechify if you have the paid version. Open the document in Chrome, click the extension icon, and select the option to read. Some extensions also work with Gmail, so you can have emails read aloud.
Fixing common problems with screen reader extensions
If an extension stops reading on a website you use often, try reloading the page first. Press Ctrl+R (Windows) or Cmd+R (Mac) to refresh. Sometimes a page update breaks the extension temporarily, and reloading fixes it.
If reloading does not work, check the extension's permissions. Click the extension icon, look for a "Settings" or "Permissions" option, and make sure the extension is allowed to run on that website. Some websites block extensions for security reasons, and there is no way around that.
If the extension is not reading any text, make sure the text is actually on the page and not an image. Some websites display text as pictures, and screen readers cannot read pictures. If you see text but the extension will not read it, try a different extension — some work better on certain websites than others.
If you installed an extension and the icon does not appear in the top right corner, the installation may have failed. Go back to the Chrome Web Store, search for the extension again, and click "Add to Chrome" once more. If it still does not appear, restart Chrome completely and try again.
When to use an extension instead of ChromeVox
Use an extension if you read a lot of PDFs, need more voice options, or want text highlighting as you listen. Extensions are also better if you read documents in Google Drive regularly or need to read emails aloud.
Stick with ChromeVox if you only read web pages, like the default voice, and do not want to pay for a subscription. ChromeVox is also more reliable on websites that block extensions, because it is built into Chrome itself.
If you are not sure which one to try, start with Read Aloud. It is free, easy to use, and works on most websites. If you find you need PDF reading or more voices, you can always switch to Natural Reader or Speechify later. You can have multiple extensions installed at once, so you can test them without removing the others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a screen reader extension on any website?
Most extensions work on most websites, but some sites block them for security or copyright reasons. If an extension does not work on a specific site, try a different extension or use ChromeVox instead. You can also check the extension's reviews to see if other people report problems on that site.
Do screen reader extensions work offline?
Most extensions need internet to work because they use online voices. Natural Reader and Speechify offer offline reading if you pay for the full version — you download the text first, then listen without internet. ChromeVox works offline on web pages you have already loaded.
Can I change the voice in a screen reader extension?
Yes. Click the extension icon and look for "Settings", "Options", or "Voice". Most extensions let you pick from several voices and adjust speed and volume. Free versions usually have fewer voice choices than paid versions.
What if the extension reads too fast or too slow?
Every extension has a speed control. Click the extension icon and look for a slider or number field labeled "Speed" or "Words per Minute". Slow it down if you are missing words, or speed it up if it feels too slow. You can usually change this while it is reading.
Do I need to pay for a screen reader extension?
No. ChromeVox is free and built into Chrome. Read Aloud is also free. Natural Reader and Speechify have free versions that read web pages, but you pay monthly if you want to read PDFs and documents. Choose based on what you actually need to read.