Cliff's Speechify App: From Dyslexia to 50 Million Users

The Pitch from His Dorm

Cliff, a former dyslexic whose struggles with reading led him to invent an app, listeners at four times the speed of ordinary readers. That's what he says straight away — at a blistering 4x speed. Cliff is CEO of Speechify, a text-to-speech app he started in his college dorm room. Cliff's journey with books, or lack thereof, began when he was a child. "As a kid, Cliff was extremely dyslexic. I didn't even speak English," he says. "It was so hard for me to finish a book." He started listening to audiobooks at 1.5x, 2x, and eventually 4x the normal speed. Still, it wasn't enough. It led him to a radically different idea.

Text-to-Speech: How it Works

Speechify is a text-to-speech app that allows users to listen to almost any text at whatever speed they want. "All you have to do is take a picture of a book or upload a PDF or click play and it turns into voice," Cliff says. The app converts written text into spoken word, enabling users to listen at speeds up to 9x normal reading rate. Speechify's speed dials are simple. Tap on a book, PDF, or web page; select the speed at which you want to listen; and click. There’s no need to scroll through or struggle with text. Your content clicks to listen. Speechify's does not require an internet connection once the file has been uploaded, so you can listen offline too.

The Rachitic Voice Synthesis Before Comprehend Everywhere

Fast forward to the early days of recorded speech. Alexander Graham Bell perhaps received a more exciting job with his invention of the power of sound in 1876. Cliff's app doesn't just change how you read; it changes where and when you can absorb information. Speechify solve the problem that users can't finish books. Cliff’s background with dyslexia contributed to the feature that allows users to listen to any text in their favorite celebrity’s voice. Users can also select voices for specific genres or topics.

Speed and Voice: A World of Choices

The app thrives on its variety of voices and speeds. It offers 30+ voices and more than 20 languages, covering a wide range of linguistic preferences and cultural needs. The diversity in voices goes beyond language, however, as the app also features celebrities. Users can listen to text read by voices like Snoop Dogg or Mr. Beast, turning mundane tasks into something more engaging. Some examples of the voices you can choose from include:

• Snoop Dogg for a relaxed, mellow reading experience.
• Mr. Beast for an energetic, youthful tone.
• Joanna, an American voice with a clear and distinct enunciation.
• Russ is an American voice with a strong, confident tone. The range of voices accommodates different moods and tones. The different voices give users multiple choices for listening.

This app may help kids with Dyslexia

The app caters to a diverse audience, especially those with learning disabilities. Speechify is more than just a tool for speed readers; it's a lifeline for individuals with dyslexia, ADHD. "I have learning disabilities my whole life, and it's made it really hard to read and comprehend what I'm reading. And when I discovered Speechify, genuinely, it changed my life," said a user. For many, Speechify has eliminated the barriers posed by reading difficulties, making comprehension achievable at their own pace.

How to Try it

• Launch the app: Confirm it. Tap the screen icon, select a photo, or upload a PDF of the text you intend to listen to.
• Select speed: It's up to you how fast you want to listen to the text.
• Choose a voice: Pick a voice that best fits your mood, your preference, or your time of the day.
• Hit play: Lean back, enjoy, and let the words coach you through.