Quick Start

This guide covers every NaturalReader feature:
- Getting Started — Create an account and set up the web app
- How to Use Multiple Voice Styles — Switch tone between narration, news, and casual reads
- How to Use Emotive AI Voices — Add real emotion so audio content stops sounding flat
- How to Use Voice Cloning — Build a digital clone of your own voice for narration
- How to Use AI Script Assistant — Draft and tidy scripts before converting text to audio
- How to Use Advanced Tunes — Fine-tune pitch, pauses, and speed word by word
- How to Use OCR Camera Scanner — Turn photos and scanned documents into text aloud
- How to Use Pronunciation Editor — Fix names and acronyms the voices keep getting wrong
- How to Use Text Filtering — Skip headers, footnotes, and clutter on web pages
- How to Use Cross-Platform Use — Move between web app, mobile app, and Chrome extension
Time needed: 5 minutes per feature
Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives
Why Trust This Guide
I have run NaturalReader daily for eight months on research papers, PDF files, and long web reading.
Every step below comes from that hands-on use, not a press kit.

NaturalReader converts any text, PDF, image, webpage, and physical book into natural-sounding audio.
Most people never move past the free online reader.
This guide shows you how to use NaturalReader properly, feature by feature.
NaturalReader Tutorial
This How to Use NaturalReader tutorial walks through setup, then all nine features, then pricing and alternatives.

NaturalReader
Turn documents, web pages, and printed books into audio you can actually listen to. NaturalReader reads PDF, DOCX, and TXT files in over 40 languages with natural ai voices. Start free in your browser — no install needed.
Getting Started with NaturalReader
Setup takes about three minutes and only happens once.
Here is my hands-on walkthrough of the free version first:

Now let’s walk through each step.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Go to the NaturalReader website and click Sign Up.
You can create an account with email, Google, or Apple ID.
✓ Checkpoint: A confirmation email lands in your inbox.
Step 2: Open the Web App
No installation is required. The web app runs in any browser.
Here is a quick look at what you get:

✓ Checkpoint: The main library screen loads with an empty document list.
Step 3: Add Your First Document
Paste text straight in, or upload files from your device.
PDF, DOCX, TXT, and EPUB all work. Pick a voice, then press play to start listening.
✅ Done: Your account is live and reading text aloud.
How to Use NaturalReader Multiple Voice Styles
Multiple Voice Styles lets you pick from hundreds of different voices and match the tone to your content.
Here is how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open the Voice Menu
Open the web app and click the voice name in the toolbar.
The full voice library opens on the right side of the screen.
Step 2: Filter by Language and Style
Narrow the list by different languages, gender, and speaking style.
Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Style tags appear next to each voice name.
Step 3: Preview and Apply
Play a short sample, then hit apply and start listening.
✅ Result: Your document now reads in the exact tone you picked.
💡 Pro Tip: Match style to content. News style suits an article. Casual style suits a script.
How to Use NaturalReader Emotive AI Voices
Emotive AI Voices lets you add emotion to natural ai voices instead of settling for a monotone read.
Here is how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Choose an Emotive Voice
Look for the emotive badge in the voice list.
Only these voices accept emotion settings.
Step 2: Set the Emotion
Pick cheerful, serious, or empathetic from the dropdown menu.
Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The emotion label shows above the editor.
Step 3: Preview Line by Line
Play each paragraph before you create the final audio.
✅ Result: Your audio content carries tone, not just words.
💡 Pro Tip: Emotion drifts on long blocks. Split text into short paragraphs for steadier delivery.
How to Use NaturalReader Voice Cloning
Voice Cloning lets you create a digital clone of your own voice for text to speech work.
Here is how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Record the Sample Script
Read the on-screen script in a quiet room.
Voice cloning sits behind the premium subscription.
Step 2: Upload Files and Train
Upload files of clean audio, then start the training run.
Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: A progress bar shows the clone building.
Step 3: Assign the Clone
Select your clone from the voice list like any other voice.
✅ Result: Your own voice now reads any document you open.
💡 Pro Tip: Record with a wired mic. Room echo bakes into the clone permanently.
How to Use NaturalReader AI Script Assistant
AI Script Assistant lets you draft, shorten, or rewrite a script before converting text into speech.
Here is how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open the Assistant
Click the assistant tab above the editor pane.
It works on new drafts or text you paste in.
Step 2: Paste Text and Prompt
Paste text, then ask it to shorten or rewrite the draft.
Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The rewritten draft loads in the editor.
Step 3: Send It to a Voice
Hit play to hear the new script read text back.
✅ Result: A tightened script and finished audio in one pass.
💡 Pro Tip: Ask for shorter sentences. Text to speech tools always sound better on short lines.
How to Use NaturalReader Advanced Tunes
Advanced Tunes lets you control pitch, pauses, and speed on individual words.
Here is how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Select the Word
Highlight a single word or phrase in the editor.
A small tuning bar appears above your selection.
Step 2: Adjust the Sliders
Drag pitch, speed, and pause length until it sounds right.
Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Tuned words show a coloured underline.
Step 3: Export the Audio
Save the result as one of your audio files in MP3 format.
✅ Result: Clean narration with no rushed or flat lines.
💡 Pro Tip: Add a half-second pause after every heading. It gives listeners a breath.
How to Use NaturalReader OCR Camera Scanner
OCR Camera Scanner lets you read printed pages using optical character recognition.
Here is how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open the Mobile App
Tap the camera icon inside the NaturalReader mobile app.
This is the fastest route for a physical book.
Step 2: Capture the Page
Hold the phone flat and shoot the full page.
✓ Checkpoint: Optical character recognition converts the images into editable text.
Step 3: Play the Result
Tap play and listen while the words highlight.
✅ Result: Printed pages become audio in under a minute.
💡 Pro Tip: Shoot in daylight. Poor lighting is the main reason scanned documents fail.
How to Use NaturalReader Pronunciation Editor
Pronunciation Editor lets you correct names, brands, and acronyms across every document.
Here is how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open the Pronunciation Editor
Find it under settings in the web app.
Your entries follow your account everywhere.
Step 2: Add the Correction
Type the word, then spell it out phonetically.
✓ Checkpoint: The saved entry appears in your dictionary list.
Step 3: Test It
Replay the sentence to confirm the fix worked.
✅ Result: Every future read gets the name right automatically.
💡 Pro Tip: Fix acronyms first. They cause more listener confusion than any other word type.
How to Use NaturalReader Text Filtering
Text Filtering lets you strip out clutter so only the real article gets read aloud.
Here is how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open a Page in the Browser
Load any webpage or a file in Google Docs.
Filtering works across web pages and uploaded documents.
Step 2: Turn On Filtering
Enable text filtering in the reader settings panel.
✓ Checkpoint: Menus and footers drop out of the reading queue.
Step 3: Adjust What Gets Skipped
Toggle headers, captions, and citations on or off.
✅ Result: Clean audio with no navigation menus read aloud.
💡 Pro Tip: Leave captions on for research papers. They often carry the key numbers.
How to Use NaturalReader Cross-Platform Use
Cross-Platform Use lets you keep one library across the web app, mobile app, and browser.
Here is how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Sign In Everywhere
Use the same account on every device you own.
Documents sync automatically once you save them.
Step 2: Install the Chrome Extension
Grab the NaturalReader Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store.
✓ Checkpoint: The extension icon sits beside your address bar.
Step 3: Read From Any App
It also reads from Microsoft Word and messaging systems.
✅ Result: Start on a laptop, finish on your phone.
💡 Pro Tip: Pin the extension. Hunting through the browser menu kills the habit fast.
NaturalReader Pro Tips and Shortcuts
After eight months of daily reading, these are the habits that stuck.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Play or pause | Space |
| Skip forward one sentence | Right arrow |
| Skip back one sentence | Left arrow |
| Read selected text aloud | Ctrl + Shift + R |
Hidden Features Most People Miss
- Highlight-to-read on any webpage: Select text in the browser, then let the Chrome extension read it back instantly.
- Google Docs support: The extension reads Google Docs and Gmail without copying anything across.
- Speed memory: Reading speed saves per document, so a dense article can run slower than a blog post.
NaturalReader Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Selling Audio Made on a Personal Plan
❌ Wrong: Publishing audio files created on personal use versions to clients or paid channels.
✅ Right: Personal use versions cover personal use only. For commercial purposes, buy a commercial license through NaturalReader Commercial before any commercial use.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the Monthly Character Cap
❌ Wrong: Batch converting text all month, then hitting a wall mid-project.
✅ Right: NaturalReader Online allows 1 million characters per month for MP3 conversions. Track heavy exports.
Mistake #3: Skipping the Pronunciation Editor
❌ Wrong: Re-recording whole sections because one brand name reads wrong.
✅ Right: Add the fix once in the pronunciation editor. It applies to every future read.
NaturalReader Troubleshooting
Problem: The Chrome Extension Will Not Read a Page
Cause: The extension needs a page reload after install from the Chrome Web Store.
Fix: Refresh the tab, then confirm the extension has permission for web pages and Google Docs.
Problem: A Scanned PDF Plays Nothing
Cause: Scanned documents are images, so there is no text layer to read.
Fix: Run optical character recognition on the file first, then reopen it.
Problem: You Were Charged After Cancelling
Cause: Plans auto renew, and cancelling never triggers a refund on its own.
Fix: Cancel before the billing period closes. Access continues through the current billing period. Then request the refund separately using the blue chat icon in the bottom right corner.
📌 Note: Yearly plans allow refund requests for 30 days. Monthly plans allow 14 days.
What is NaturalReader?
NaturalReader is a text to speech tool that turns written material into audio you can listen to anywhere.
Think of it as an audiobook narrator for anything you can open on a screen.
You will also see it written as Natural Reader, spelled as two separate words.
Students, commuters, and anyone with dyslexia use it to get text read aloud without eye strain.
Watch this quick overview:
It includes these key features:
- Multiple Voice Styles: Hundreds of different voices sorted by language, gender, and style.
- Emotive AI Voices: Emotion controls that make ai voices sound genuinely human.
- Voice Cloning: Premium users can clone their own voice for narration.
- AI Script Assistant: Built-in writing help for scripts and voiceover copy.
- Advanced Tunes: Word-level control over pitch, pauses, and reading speed.
- OCR Camera Scanner: Camera scanning that reads printed books and scanned documents.
- Pronunciation Editor: A personal dictionary that fixes stubborn mispronunciations.
- Text Filtering: Filters that skip navigation, footnotes, and page furniture.
- Cross-Platform Use: One account synced across web, mobile, and browser.
It supports over 40 languages and reads PDF, DOCX, TXT, and DOC files.
Word-by-word highlighting and enlarged text enhance accessibility for readers with dyslexia or ADHD.
Creators also use it for professional voiceovers on training videos and YouTube videos.
For a full review, see our NaturalReader review.

NaturalReader Pricing
Here is what NaturalReader costs in 2026:
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | Casual reading with free voices in the browser |
| Single Plan | $49/month | Students and solo users who need plus voices and MP3 export |
| Team Plan | $79/month | Small teams sharing one paid subscription |
Free trial: Yes. The free version works with no card and no time limit.
Money-back guarantee: Yes. Refund windows run 30 days yearly, 14 days monthly.

Voice cloning is a paid service tied to the premium subscription tier.
No plan grants unlimited use of premium voices, so check your cap before bulk exports.
Client work needs a commercial subscription, which is sold separately from these personal plans.
One honest warning: the paid tiers are steep next to rivals charging under $30 a month.
Test the free version hard before you upgrade.
💰 Best Value: Single Plan — it unlocks the good voices and MP3 files without team overhead.
NaturalReader vs Alternatives
How does NaturalReader compare against other text to speech tools?
| Tool | Best For | Entry Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| NaturalReader | Reading documents aloud | Free / $49/mo | ⭐ 3.9 |
| Murf AI | Marketing voiceovers | From $29/mo | ⭐ 4.5 |
| Speechify | Mobile reading | From $11/mo | ⭐ 4.4 |
| ElevenLabs | Most lifelike voices | From $5/mo | ⭐ 4.7 |
| Descript | Podcast editing | From $24/mo | ⭐ 4.5 |
| Play.ht | Developer API | From $39/mo | ⭐ 4.3 |
| Lovo | Training videos | From $24/mo | ⭐ 4.2 |
| Speechelo | One-time purchase | One-time fee | ⭐ 3.8 |
Quick picks:
- Best overall: ElevenLabs — the most convincing voices on the market
- Best budget: TTSOpenAI — lowest cost for occasional converting text jobs
- Best for beginners: NaturalReader — paste text and press play, nothing else to learn
- Best for accessibility: NaturalReader — highlighting, OCR, and dyslexia-friendly display
🎯 NaturalReader Alternatives
Looking for NaturalReader alternatives? Here are all the options worth testing:
- 🚀 Murf AI: Studio-grade voiceovers with timeline editing for polished marketing videos.
- ⭐ Speechify: The closest rival for reading, with strong mobile and Chrome support.
- 🎨 Descript: Edits audio by editing the transcript, ideal for podcast teams.
- 🧠 ElevenLabs: The most lifelike ai text to speech engine available right now.
- 🔥 Play.ht: Huge voice library with an API for developers.
- 🎯 Lovo: Emotion-tagged voices built for ads and training videos.
- 💼 Listnr: Adds podcast hosting on top of voice generation.
- 🎧 Podcastle: Recording, editing, and voice generation in one browser tab.
- 💰 Dupdub: Cheap voiceovers with avatars for short social clips.
- 🏢 WellSaid Labs: Enterprise voice with tight brand and approval controls.
- ⚡ Revoicer: Emotion-based voices sold on a one-time style licence.
- 🔒 ReadSpeaker: Website accessibility voice built for organisations.
- 🔧 Altered: Voice changing and performance control for creators.
- 👶 Speechelo: Simple one-time purchase for basic voiceover work.
- 📊 TTSOpenAI: Low-cost access to modern speech models.
- 🌟 Hume: Research-led emotional speech with fine expressive control.
For the full list, see our NaturalReader alternatives guide.
⚔️ NaturalReader Compared
Here is how NaturalReader stacks up head to head:
- NaturalReader vs Murf AI: Murf wins on studio editing. NaturalReader wins on reading documents and PDF files.
- NaturalReader vs Speechify: Speechify has a slicker mobile app. NaturalReader handles more document formats.
- NaturalReader vs Descript: Descript is a full editor. NaturalReader is a faster route to plain audio.
- NaturalReader vs ElevenLabs: ElevenLabs sounds better. NaturalReader is easier for everyday reading.
- NaturalReader vs Play.ht: Play.ht suits developers. NaturalReader suits readers and students.
- NaturalReader vs Lovo: Lovo targets marketers. NaturalReader targets people converting text to listen.
- NaturalReader vs Listnr: Listnr publishes podcasts. NaturalReader focuses on personal reading.
- NaturalReader vs Podcastle: Podcastle is built for shows. NaturalReader is built for documents.
- NaturalReader vs Dupdub: Dupdub costs less. NaturalReader offers deeper file and OCR support.
- NaturalReader vs WellSaid Labs: WellSaid serves large teams. NaturalReader serves individuals and small teams.
- NaturalReader vs Revoicer: Revoicer is cheaper upfront. NaturalReader ships steadier updates.
- NaturalReader vs ReadSpeaker: ReadSpeaker embeds into sites. NaturalReader is a standalone online reader.
- NaturalReader vs Altered: Altered reshapes recorded speech. NaturalReader converts written text.
- NaturalReader vs Speechelo: Speechelo has no subscription. NaturalReader has far more voices.
- NaturalReader vs TTSOpenAI: TTSOpenAI is cheapest per word. NaturalReader gives you a real app.
- NaturalReader vs Hume: Hume leads on emotion research. NaturalReader leads on daily usability.
Start Using NaturalReader Now
You now know how to use every major NaturalReader feature:
- ✅ Multiple Voice Styles
- ✅ Emotive AI Voices
- ✅ Voice Cloning
- ✅ AI Script Assistant
- ✅ Advanced Tunes
- ✅ OCR Camera Scanner
- ✅ Pronunciation Editor
- ✅ Text Filtering
- ✅ Cross-Platform Use
Next step: Open the free version and paste text into it.
Most people start with Multiple Voice Styles.
It takes less than five minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use the NaturalReader?
Create an account, open the web app, then paste text or upload files. Pick a voice, press play, and it reads text aloud instantly.
Is NaturalReader free to use?
Yes. The free version reads unlimited text with standard voices in your browser. Plus voices, MP3 export, and voice cloning need a paid subscription.
How do I upload a book to NaturalReader?
Click upload in the web app and select your EPUB or PDF. For a printed book, scan pages with the mobile app camera instead.
Can a NaturalReader read a PDF?
Yes. It reads PDF files directly. Scanned PDFs need optical character recognition first, which the app runs automatically on most documents.
How much does NaturalReader cost?
The free plan costs $0/month. The Single Plan is $49/month and the Team Plan is $79/month. Every paid subscription can auto renew.













