30 October 2026 · Written by Tendercraft, maker of Vox Reader
Text to speech on Windows: Vox Reader, Speechify and Balabolka
For offline English listening to your own EPUB books, Vox Reader offers local voices and an optional one-time Pro purchase. Balabolka is a freeware option with installed Windows speech voices. Speechify offers a wider set of platforms and language options. The right choice depends on your documents and where you listen.
| What matters | Vox Reader | Speechify | Balabolka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access model | Free tier; optional one-time Pro upgrade through Microsoft Store. | Free and subscription Premium plans; check current terms. | Freeware; check the licence for your intended use. |
| Documents | Free: DRM-free EPUB, TXT and pasted text. Pro: text-based PDF and DOCX. | Text-to-speech and Scan & Listen options are advertised; confirm format support in your chosen app. | Supports EPUB, PDF, DOCX and many other text formats. |
| Offline listening | Speech runs on the PC after installation. Store purchase and licence refresh need internet. | Confirm offline availability for the specific app, voice and plan before buying. | Uses speech voices installed on the computer; voice capabilities depend on the selected engine. |
| Main tradeoff | English only, Windows 10 (19041+) or 11, x64. About 460 MB to download; Free includes 3 hours a week and 3 voices. | Premium advertises multiple languages, integrations and voice features beyond book reading. | A broad document-to-speech utility; available voices and setup depend on your PC. |
Start with a book you already know
Import a short, DRM-free EPUB or TXT file and listen before paying. In Vox Reader, the Free allowance is three listening hours each week. Pro removes the limit, adds all 11 bundled voices and unlocks PDF/DOCX import. Scanned image-only PDFs need text recognition elsewhere first. Speech speed and responsiveness depend on your processor.
Choose for your actual reading routine
Choose Vox Reader when local English speech, saved reading positions and a one-time upgrade fit a Windows-only routine. Try Balabolka if you want a freeware tool and already like a voice installed on your PC. Compare Speechify if phone, browser and additional language options matter more. Test offline playback with the connection disabled rather than assuming every voice works offline.