Read aloud web pages and PDFs
Read web pages, PDFs, and selected text aloud with word-by-word highlighting, OCR, and free premium English and Spanish voices that run on your device with unlimited premium voice usage.
The human brain processes spoken language faster than written text. This efficiency is one reason why audiobooks and text-to-speech tools have seen such rapid growth in recent years. Listening lets you absorb information while commuting, exercising, or doing household tasks.
Text-to-Speech
Read any page, PDF, or text selection aloud. Select text and press play, or read the entire page.
Free Premium English and Spanish Voices
Natural-sounding English and Spanish voices that run on your device, with unlimited premium voice usage and private-by-default playback. No character caps, account, or upgrade required.
Word Highlighting
Follow along word-by-word in the transcript as you listen. Click any word to seek.
OCR for Images
Extract text from images, screenshots, and scanned PDFs. Runs on your device — no uploads, no limits.
AI Summarization
Get brief summaries of any page or selection before listening. Toggle summarize mode on or off. Pro includes 100 AI summaries per month.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Control playback without leaving the page. Configurable shortcuts for play, pause, and stop.
Save now, listen later
Readox is not only for reading what is in front of you. Save pages, selections, summaries, and your own text into a queue you can come back to later.
Save while you browse
Keep a full page or only the useful part without breaking your flow.
Mix sources in one queue
Library items can come from pages, PDFs, summaries, OCR, and pasted text.
Come back later
Turn open tabs and one-off snippets into something you can actually revisit.
The main Library is included on free. Pro adds up to 10 collections for separate listening queues and more room for saved reading.
Works right on the page
Select text, press play, and follow along with word-by-word highlighting — without leaving the page.
The Science of Listening
How audio transforms the way we learn and retain information
Dr. Sarah Chen
Feb 5, 2026 · 8 min read
The human brain processes spoken language faster than written text. This efficiency is one reason why audiobooks and text-to-speech tools have seen such rapid growth in recent years.
Listening lets you absorb information while commuting, exercising, or doing household tasks — turning dead time into learning time.
Research from the University of Waterloo found that participants who listened to content while following along with highlighted text showed 28% better retention compared to reading alone...
How it works
Install the extension
Add Readox to Chrome. Free to start, no account required.
Select text or open the sidepanel
Highlight text on any page or PDF, or open the sidepanel to read the entire document.
Press play and listen
Hear the text read aloud with word-by-word highlighting in the transcript. Your first premium voice selection asks you to confirm a one-time download.
Simple pricing
Start free, including premium English and Spanish voices. Readox Pro is tied to your Google account, so checkout happens inside the extension after sign-in.
Every plan includes read-aloud for web pages and PDFs, OCR, word-by-word highlighting, and keyboard shortcuts.
Free
A real free plan for everyday reading.
Use free premium English and Spanish voices or browser voices to read web pages, PDFs, and selected text in Chrome.
Install for ChromeIncludes
- ✓Premium voices — English and Spanish
- ✓Premium voices run on your device
- ✓No character caps or per-character fees
- ✓Browser voices
- ✓Unlimited reading
- ✓Main Library for saved reading
- ✓No account required
Premium voices need a one-time download on a compatible device. Listen without character caps.
Pro
Get the key points faster and organize more reading.
Billed monthly. Cancel anytime.
Everything in Free, plus 100 AI summaries per month, up to 10 collections, and more saved library items.
Install for Chrome to upgradeAlready installed? Open Settings → Account in Readox to upgrade.
Use the Google account you want tied to billing and Pro access.
Adds
- ✓100 AI summaries per month
- ✓Create up to 10 library collections
- ✓Save up to 50 items per collection
- ✓More saved library items
Premium voices stay free whether or not you subscribe to Pro.