Compare
Aloud vs NaturalReader on the Mac
NaturalReader is a long-running text-to-speech service, mostly used through its web app, Chrome extension and phone apps. Aloud is a native Mac app with on-device voices and a one-time price.
Updated 8 October 2026.
Short answerChoose NaturalReader if you want its large cloud voice catalogue, a web app that works on any computer, or Windows support. Choose Aloud if you want a Mac app that reads from any app with a shortcut, keeps text on your Mac and costs $19 once.
Side by side
| Aloud | NaturalReader | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19 once, per Mac. 3-day trial. | Free tier with device voices. Online plans: Lite $13.90/mo or $79/yr, Plus $20.90/mo or $119/yr, Pro $25.90/mo or $159/yr. An older desktop app is sold separately for $99.50–$199.50 once. |
| Platforms | macOS 14 or later | Web app, Chrome extension, iPhone, Android; older desktop app for Mac and Windows |
| Account | None | Needed for paid voices |
| Voices | Apple voices, Kokoro on device, or your own ElevenLabs / Cartesia key | Device voices on the free tier; cloud voices and voice cloning on paid plans |
| Limits | None from Aloud | Paid plans have daily and monthly character limits on the better voices |
| PDFs | Yes, skips headers, footers and page numbers | Yes |
| OCR | Yes, on device | On paid plans |
| Export audio | .m4a | MP3, character-capped by plan |
| Pronunciation editor | Yes, a pronunciation list | Yes |
NaturalReader prices checked 8 October 2026 from its personal plans help page and desktop software page. NaturalReader renamed some plans over time, so older pages may show different names.
Who should pick which
Pick Aloud if
- You work on a Mac and want reading to start from a shortcut in any app
- You'd rather pay once than keep a plan
- You want reading to stay on your Mac by default
Pick NaturalReader if
- You use Windows, Chromebooks or several computers
- You want a large catalogue of cloud voices or voice cloning
- You do most of your listening inside Chrome or Google Docs
Where NaturalReader is better
- More voices and languages in the cloud, plus voice cloning on higher plans.
- Works in a browser on any computer, and has a Chrome extension.
- Long history and a commercial licence option for voiceovers, which Aloud does not offer.
Where Aloud is better
- $19 once instead of $79 to $159 a year for the online plans.
- No account, no character limits, and Apple and Kokoro voices never touch the network.
- Native Mac integration: global shortcuts, Services menu, a notch or floating player, Shortcuts and Siri.
Questions
Is there a NaturalReader alternative for Mac without a subscription?
Yes. Aloud is $19 once and reads selected text, PDFs, screenshots and web articles on your Mac. Speech Central ($9.99 once) is another one-time option, and macOS's built-in Speak Selection costs nothing.
Does NaturalReader have a Mac app?
NaturalReader's current product is mainly its web app, Chrome extension and phone apps. It also sells an older downloadable desktop app for Mac and Windows as a one-time licence.
Can Aloud save audio like NaturalReader's MP3 export?
Yes. Aloud exports any reading as an .m4a file in the voice you chose, applying the same skips and pronunciations.
Which has more voices?
NaturalReader, by a wide margin. Aloud uses the voices installed on your Mac, the on-device Kokoro voice, and ElevenLabs or Cartesia voices if you add your own key.
More Mac utilities from the developer: SnapState puts your Mac windows, apps and browser tabs back after sleep or a monitor reconnect. $9.99 one-time.