A good free screen reader already exists for every common device: NVDA and Narrator for Windows PCs, VoiceOver built into Mac, iPhone and iPad, TalkBack on Android, ChromeVox on Chromebooks and Orca on Linux. You do not have to buy anything to give a blind person full use of a computer or phone, or to test a website properly.
Below you will find a comparison table, notes on who each one suits, the difference between real screen readers and apps that only read text aloud, and a simple way to pick one for testing.
Quick facts
Windows
NVDA (install) and Narrator (built in)Apple devices
VoiceOver, built into Mac, iPhone and iPadAndroid
TalkBack, built in on most phonesChromebook and Linux
ChromeVox and OrcaNot a screen reader
Apps that only read text aloud
Free screen reader comparison table
| Name | Platform | How you get it | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | Windows | Download from NV Access | Strong web support, many languages, braille |
| Narrator | Windows | Part of Windows | Always there, even on a borrowed PC |
| VoiceOver | Mac, iPhone, iPad | Part of the system | Touch gestures and the rotor on phones |
| TalkBack | Android | Part of most Android phones | The main screen reader on low cost phones |
| ChromeVox | ChromeOS | Part of ChromeOS | School Chromebooks |
| Orca | Linux (GNOME) | Included in many distributions | Linux desktops and servers with a desktop |
Each one has its own guide on this site: NVDA, Narrator and Windows choices, VoiceOver and TalkBack.
A screen reader for blind and visually impaired users
Someone who has just lost sight, or a parent setting up a phone for a child, often assumes they need special software. Usually they do not. A modern phone's own screen reader is capable enough for messaging, banking, maps and shopping. On a laptop, NVDA is used daily by students, office workers and programmers.
Practical points for new users:
- Start on the device you already own and learn five or six gestures or keys before anything else.
- Turn on the shortcut that starts the screen reader, so a sighted helper can switch it off and on quickly.
- Slow the speech rate at first and speed it up week by week.
- Look for a local blindness organisation; many run free training in local languages.
Low vision users may prefer a magnifier, large text or high contrast settings over a full screen reader, or mix both. Every major system offers these free as well.
NVDA and Narrator on Windows
NVDA is the most popular no cost option on Windows; get it from the NV Access website. It installs in a minute, can run as a portable copy from a USB stick, and works well with Firefox, Chrome and Edge. Narrator needs no install at all; press Win+Ctrl+Enter. It has improved a lot and handles daily jobs well, though most blind power users on Windows still pick NVDA or a paid product.
VoiceOver, TalkBack and ChromeVox
Apple devices come with VoiceOver, which is free and polished. On an iPhone it changes how touch works: one tap selects and speaks, a double tap activates. Android phones include TalkBack, which follows the same idea. On a phone from a smaller maker you may need to download it, listed as Android Accessibility Suite, from the store.
ChromeVox comes with every Chromebook and starts with Ctrl+Alt+Z. It is the one to learn if you support schools that use Chromebooks. The Chrome guide covers how it differs from browser add ons.
Orca screen reader for Linux
Orca is the free, open source screen reader for the GNOME desktop and several others. Many distributions include it; on GNOME you can usually toggle it with Super+Alt+S or find it under Settings, Accessibility, Screen Reader. It works with Firefox and supports braille through a separate service. Linux use among blind people is smaller, but developers who live on Linux can test basic page behavior with it.
Apps that read text aloud are not screen readers
App stores are full of products called screen reader apps that really do something narrower: they read a document, a web article or a photo of text aloud. That is useful for people with dyslexia or tired eyes. It does a much smaller job than a screen reader, which lets a blind person operate the whole device, find buttons, hear whether a box is ticked and fill in forms.
A quick test: if the app cannot tell you what the button under your finger is called, it is a text reader, not a screen reader.
Image descriptions and newer smart features
People now search for screen readers that can "see" pictures. Recent versions of VoiceOver, TalkBack and some Windows tools can recognise text in images and guess a short description of a photo when the author gave none. This is handy for a user faced with an unlabelled image, but the guesses are often vague or wrong.
For site owners nothing changes: write real alt text for every meaningful image. The screen reader will read your words first and only guess when you left a gap.
Which free screen reader should testers use?
You can cover most real users with two free tools and no purchase:
- NVDA with Chrome or Firefox on a Windows PC.
- VoiceOver with Safari on an iPhone, since much traffic is mobile.
- Add TalkBack with Chrome on Android if you have an Android audience or an app.
- Add JAWS in its demo mode only if a client or contract asks for it.
Pair this with a free WCAG checker extension for the quick automated pass, described on our WCAG checkers page. Checkers catch only some issues, so the listening test is still needed. The screen reader overview explains the commands you will use.
Questions people ask
What is the best free screen reader for Windows?
NVDA is the most widely used free option and works very well on the web. Narrator is already installed and is a reasonable fallback. Many people keep both.
Do phones include a free screen reader for blind people?
Yes. iPhones and iPads include VoiceOver, and Android phones include TalkBack. Both are free and support everyday apps such as messaging, maps and banking.
Are screen reader apps from app stores real screen readers?
Usually not. Most only read text or documents aloud. A real screen reader controls the whole device and announces buttons, links and form fields.
Can screen readers describe pictures automatically?
Newer versions can guess a short description or read text inside a photo. The result is often rough, so websites still need written alt text.
Which free screen reader works on Linux?
Yes, Orca. It comes with many GNOME based distributions and works with Firefox and braille displays.
Do I need a paid screen reader to test my website?
No. NVDA on Windows and VoiceOver on iPhone cover most users. Add a paid product only if your users or a contract require it.