Text-to-speech for Mac
Louder is a text-to-speech app for macOS that reads whatever's on your screen aloud. Press a global hotkey in any app and it speaks the important part in a clear, natural AI voice — so you can listen instead of read.
What Louder does
- Reads anything on your screen aloud — articles, PDFs, documents, email, code.
- Works in any macOS app through a global hotkey, with nothing to paste or upload.
- Uses AI to speak what matters instead of reading every word.
- Speaks in natural, human-sounding AI voices.
- Stays silent when there's nothing worth saying.
Who it's for
Anyone who reads a lot on a Mac and would rather listen — people catching up on articles and PDFs, multitaskers who want their screen read while they work, and readers who find listening easier for dyslexia, ADHD, or eye strain.
How it compares
Unlike cross-platform readers such as Speechify or NaturalReader that read documents you import, Louder reads your live screen in any app. Unlike Apple's built-in Speak Screen, it uses natural AI voices and speaks the key points instead of everything on the page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best text-to-speech app for Mac?
For reading your live screen on a hotkey with natural AI voices, Louder is purpose-built for macOS and has a free plan. For importing and reading full documents across devices, Speechify and NaturalReader are alternatives.
Does macOS have built-in text-to-speech?
Yes, macOS includes a basic Speak Selection / Speak Screen feature, but it uses dated system voices and only reads selected text. Louder adds natural AI voices and reads your whole screen on a hotkey.
Is Louder free?
Louder has a free plan you can start using right away, with paid tiers that unlock more listening for heavy daily use.
Is a text-to-speech app the same as a screen reader?
People often use "screen reader" loosely to mean any tool that reads the screen aloud, which is what Louder does. For non-visual, assistive-technology navigation of macOS, Apple's built-in VoiceOver is the dedicated screen reader — see our Louder vs VoiceOver comparison.
Louder reads your Mac screen aloud on a hotkey. Free to start.
Download for Mac