Screen Readers for Windows are quintessential pieces of software designed and developed for blind or visually impaired people. These programs assist blind individuals in using computer systems by either reading the text aloud that appears on the screen or display them on a braille display for easy understanding. Screen Reading Software acts as a dedicated platform for visually impaired users to communicate with their computers without any hassles.
We are sharing a list of Most Popular Screen Readers for Windows 10 & other versions. However, before installing any of these programs, ensure that it is compatible with your operating system and braille screen (if you are using one).
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So, let’s check out the Top 9 Screen Reading Solutions For Windows (2022).
Our Recommendations
NVDA
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Best choice (Recommended) |
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JAWS
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Best choice |
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ChromeVox
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Best choice |
Which Screen Readers Are Available For Windows?
Apart from these three great software to read screens. Here are some helpful programs for blind and visually impaired people to use computers without any hassles.
Here is the list of the best screen readers for Windows 10, 8, 7, and older versions:
1. NVDA
NonVisual Desktop Access is one of the most popular open-source and free screen readers, supporting popular browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer), Windows apps (like Microsoft Word, Excel, Music Player), and Email clients. It’s quick, simple, and requires the no-fuss installation to read the screen faster. It supports several refreshable braille displays and uses an easy to use the talking installer to make the entire learning & using experience effortless.
Price: Free Screen Reader Tool
HIGHLIGHTS: NVDA
- Built-in speech synthesizer with supports of 50+ languages.
- Can translate into more than fifty languages.
- Includes input of Braille via Braille display.
2. JAWS
Job Access With Speech is another famous screen reading tool for Windows, designed and developed for users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing the content and using other peripheral devices for navigation. Using JAWS screen readers, individuals will be able to surf the web, write documents, read emails, make presentations & do a lot more. The screen reading solution is available for Home users, School users & Business individuals.
Price: $90/Year
HIGHLIGHTS: JAWS
- Surf the Internet with web browsing keystrokes.
- Fill out web forms without any hassles.
- Readout docs, emails, webpage content, apps & more.
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3. ChromeVox
ChromeVox is a browser extension (add-on) designed for blind users to read the web page content or communicate with friends and colleagues. Using this free screen reading tool, users can get help in the form of voice feedback, and it will narrate all the on-screen activities while highlighting the areas that are being read aloud. The browser extension works well on Windows, but it is quite popular with macOS users as well.
Price: Free Screen Reading Tool
HIGHLIGHTS: ChromeVox
- Magnifies selected text.
- Read the Chrome webpage’s content aloud.
- Basic screen reader for Windows & Mac users.
4. WebAnywhere
As the name entails, WebAnywhere is your ultimate screen reader on the go that allows visually impaired users to access and use the Internet from any computer. The screen reader software is highly compatible with almost all OS versions and runs on every popular browser without any fuss. Using the screen reading solution, individuals can read any documents, draft emails, surf the web, and do much more.
Price: Starts at $500
HIGHLIGHTS: WebAnywhere
- Runs on Windows PCs from a USB key without prior installation.
- Access any browser on any desktop.
- Can be used without installing any software.
5. COBRA
COBRA is a paid screen reading solution that does much more than any ordinary screen reader available for Windows users. It helps visually impaired individuals to modify and personalize their desktops as per their needs and requirements. This certainly helps in enhancing overall productivity. It supports a clean and natural-sounding speech synthesizer and is highly compatible with braille or magnification of content.
Price: Starts at $749
HIGHLIGHTS: COBRA
- Supports speech, braille & magnification of content.
- Enjoy free updates for up to four years.
- Supports popular Windows programs & email clients.
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6. Dolphin Screen Reader
Dolphin’s screen reading software is another paid utility, highly popular among individuals and organizations, thanks to its high- quality feature set. Unlike other popular software for reading screens, Dolphin provides users with natural voice feedback & instant text to speech translations. It makes email drafting, browsing the Internet, writing documents, and scanning posts completely effortless.
Price: Starts at $795
HIGHLIGHTS: Dolphin Screen Reader
- Speak out words as you type them.
- Can scan & read PDFs (via OCR).
- Supports speech & braille.
7. BRLTTY
Although the screen-reading program is highly popular among Linux users, BRLTTY’s Windows version is also quite useful for blind or visually impaired users. The software holds string potential to turn any on-screen information into Braille form so that it is highly convenient for users to read & navigate through the Braille display. Additionally, it supports plenty of voice features & speeches, making it the Best Windows Screen Reader tool.
Price: Not specified by the website
HIGHLIGHTS: BRLTTY
- Popular among LINUX users.
- Basic speech support.
- Ability to identify unknown characters.
8. System Access
Designed & developed by Serotek Corporation, System Access is another popular screen reader software for Windows & other OS. The software is well-known for helping blind users by giving full access to Windows environments for easy learning and usage. System Access, Windows 10 screen reading tool supports popular programs such as Office, Skype, Adobe Reader & video chat platforms like Skype.
Price: Not specified by the website
HIGHLIGHTS: System Access
- Supports text enlargement.
- Supports Braille access.
- Never have to pay for software updates.
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9. ZoomText
ZoomText by Ai Squared is another paid screen reading program perfect for visually impaired users as it supports crystal clear magnification from 1.25x to 60x, which makes the reading process effortless. Like COBRA, Windows 10 screen reader, it helps users make desktop customization, change text colors, manage brightness/contrast, and a lot more. It even allows individuals to manage the reading out loud feature according to the needs & requirements.
Price: $80/Year
HIGHLIGHTS: ZoomText
- Can increase the size of text & other objects on the screen.
- Echoes your typing & other program activities.
- Automatically reads web pages & emails.
Frequently Asked Questions: Top 9 Screen Reading Solutions (2021)
Have some queries? Let’s discuss some of the most frequently asked questions related to screen reading:
Q1. Does Windows 10 Have A Screen Reader Program?
Yes, the Narrator is a dedicated screen reading software that comes pre-installed with Windows 10. But if you are looking for a solution with more features & functionalities, you can install any of the third-party programs mentioned above.
Q2. How Much Does A Screen Reader Program Cost?
There are various screen reading applications for Windows with different command structures, and most of them are compatible with multiple speech synthesizers. Usually, the price range for a good screen reader software costs between free to $1200.
Q3. Can Screen Reading Tools Read PDFs?
Yes, a good screen reader can read portable document files, regardless of the security restrictions in place.
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