What is Readlens used for?

ReadLens is a mobile app that reads photographed pages, signs, menus and PDFs aloud with word-by-word highlighting, with optional translation into 11 languages. It is a good fit for listening to book pages during a commute, and hearing foreign menus and signs translated.

Yes. Readlens has a free plan, and paid plans start at $99.99 per year.

Is Readlens open source?

No. Readlens is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the AI Tools category, open-source options include Xiaozhi Android Client, Handy and Buzz.

What are some alternatives to Readlens?

Readlens competes with Speechify.

Readlens: features, pricing and alternatives

About Readlens

ReadLens reads text from photos aloud on iPhone, iPad, Mac (M1 and later), Apple Vision Pro and Android. You point the camera at printed or on-screen text, such as a menu, a sign, a slide, a handwritten note or a textbook page, or bring in a PDF or image from Files, iCloud, Drive or the share sheet and pick the pages you want. OCR finds the text, including in scanned image-only PDFs.

The text can be translated into one of 11 languages and is read aloud by natural AI voices with each word highlighted in sync, and playback continues with the screen off. The site describes uses for tired eyes, foreign-language signs and readers with dyslexia, ADHD or low vision. It is free to download with weekly free snaps, with an optional Premium subscription for unlimited use.

Key features

Photo to speech with OCR
Word-by-word synchronized highlighting
PDF and image import
Optional translation into 11 languages
Playback with the screen off
Available on iOS and Android

Good fit for

Listening to book pages during a commute
Hearing foreign menus and signs translated

Tags: text-to-speech; ocr; accessibility; ios; android; translation; reading

Readlens: questions and answers

What is Readlens used for?: ReadLens is a mobile app that reads photographed pages, signs, menus and PDFs aloud with word-by-word highlighting, with optional translation into 11 languages. It is a good fit for listening to book pages during a commute, and hearing foreign menus and signs translated.
Is Readlens free?: Yes. Readlens has a free plan, and paid plans start at $99.99 per year.
Is Readlens open source?: No. Readlens is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the AI Tools category, open-source options include Xiaozhi Android Client, Handy and Buzz.
What are some alternatives to Readlens?: Readlens competes with Speechify.