Say the Text vs. Speechify (2026): Honest Comparison
Speechify is great for reading web articles aloud in real time. Say the Text is built for converting and storing long documents as a permanent audio library.
Try Say the Text Free — No Credit CardFeature Comparison
| Feature | Say the Text | Speechify |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 50 hours/month, full features | Limited (speed + voice locked) |
| Premium price | $5/month ($60/year) | $139/year (~$11.60/mo) |
| PDF upload | Yes | Yes |
| EPUB support | Yes | Partial |
| Audio library | Full library + playlists | Partial |
| Voice cloning | Yes (free) | Paid only |
| Browser extension | No | Yes (core feature) |
| Download audio (MP3) | Yes | Paid only |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Why Say the Text Wins
- Full feature access on the free tier (50 hours/month)
- $5/month vs. $11.60/month equivalent — more than half the price
- Audio downloads included at all tiers
- Voice cloning on free plan
- Built for long-form documents and audiobook creation
When Speechify Makes Sense
- Chrome/Safari extension for reading any web page aloud in real time
- Clean, polished mobile app
- Good for people who primarily read web content rather than documents
- Speed reading mode with word-by-word highlighting
Speechify Weaknesses
- Premium is $139/year — 2.3× the cost of Say the Text's premium
- Free tier locks speed control and voice selection behind a paywall
- Audio downloads require paid tier
- Less focused on audiobook-style library organization
- Voice cloning locked to paid plans
For web article reading in-browser — Speechify. For converting books, PDFs, and building an audio library you own — Say the Text.
Bottom Line
Speechify charges $139/year for features that Say the Text includes in a $5/month plan. For document conversion and audiobook creation, the value gap is significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Say the Text a good Speechify alternative?
Yes, especially for converting and organizing documents into an audio library. Speechify is built around a browser extension for reading web pages aloud, while Say the Text focuses on uploading PDFs, EPUBs, and DOCX files and building a permanent listening library.
Is Say the Text cheaper than Speechify?
Yes. Speechify Premium is $139/year (about $11.60/month), while Say the Text Premium is $5/month ($60/year) with full feature access, including voice cloning and audio downloads.
Does Speechify's free tier include voice cloning and audio downloads?
No — Speechify locks speed control, voice selection, audio downloads, and voice cloning behind paid tiers. Say the Text includes voice cloning and MP3 downloads on the free plan.
Which is better for building an audiobook library, Say the Text or Speechify?
Say the Text, because it is built around a full audio library with playlists rather than Speechify's in-browser reading extension.
Try Say the Text for Free
50 hours per month. No credit card. No trial period. Works in 60 seconds.
Get Started Free