Readspeaker
ReadSpeaker is a Netherlands-based enterprise text-to-speech vendor offering 90+ AI voices in 300+ languages to 12,000+ education, government, automotive, and consumer-brand customers worldwide via SaaS, on-premises, and API products.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersHuis Ter Heide, Netherlands
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Readspeaker does
ReadSpeaker B.V., founded in 1999 and headquartered in the Netherlands, is a long-established enterprise text-to-speech (TTS) vendor providing neural AI-driven voice synthesis in 90+ voices across 300+ languages and dialects. The company serves more than 12,000 customers in roughly 70 countries through a 13-office global footprint that includes regional operations in the Netherlands, Sweden, the United States, Japan, and South Korea. End markets are anchored in education (K-12, higher education, publishing, assessment) but extend into government, automotive, luxury/retail, financial services, and consumer brands, with reference customers including Sony/VAIO, Spotify, Renault, LVMH, ING, and Roche.
The product portfolio spans embedded web and document readers (webReader, docReader), SDKs and on-premises engines (speechEngine SDK in Lite/Standard/Enterprise variants, speechServer), a cloud API (speechCloud), self-service custom voice creation (AI Voice Studio, SpeechMaker), and accessibility/education suites (TextAid, Education Suite, ReadSpeaker for Assessments, SpeakUp). Distribution is heavily ecosystem-mediated via native LMS integrations (Blackboard, Moodle, Canvas, Brightspace, itslearning, Sakai, NEO, Opigno), SCORM-compliant content, and standards participation in 1EdTech and W3C. Technical differentiators include in-house voice development, compliance posture (WCAG 2.2 AA, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, GDPR/UK GDPR), and a stated policy of not retaining TTS user data, which is positioned as an ethical-AI advantage.
The business model combines four monetization streams: recurring SaaS subscriptions (typically annual contracts for webReader, docReader, TextAid), one-time or perpetual licensed on-premises deployments (speechEngine, speechServer), usage-based API billing (speechCloud), and bespoke custom voice creation projects for enterprise customers. The company is privately held and largely bootstrapped since a 2008 TIIN Capital investment, with no disclosed revenue or funding events thereafter, suggesting a mature, cash-generative operating profile rather than a venture-backed growth profile.
Readspeaker firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Readspeaker
- Legal name
- ReadSpeaker B.V.
- Website
- https://readspeaker.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- ReadSpeaker is a Netherlands-based enterprise text-to-speech vendor offering 90+ AI voices in 300+ languages to 12,000+ education, government, automotive, and consumer-brand customers worldwide via SaaS, on-premises, and API products.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Readspeaker industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Speech Technology
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (513210)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Text-to-Speech (TTS) & Voice Synthesis (HDAAAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Voice Cloning, Dubbing & Audio Generative Media (HDAAAFAK), On-Device Speech & Audio AI (wake word, ASR, enhancement) (HDAAAJAF), Translation, Language Accessibility & Reading Support Tools (e.g., TTS, Captions, Immersive Reader) (EDAFAOAL)
Keywords
Where Readspeaker is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Huis Ter Heide
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices13 records
Markets served
Readspeaker business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- SaaS Subscription Services: Hosted cloud-based solutions with one-time setup fee and annual service fee. Fee structure based on website/app usage or population numbers for government customers.
- Licensed Solutions: On-premise server and SDK solutions priced based on number of licenses, license duration (monthly, yearly, or perpetual), backup licenses, and type of unit equipped with TTS.
- API Usage: Cloud-based API access for speech-enabling applications and devices, billed based on usage.
- Custom Voice Development: Branded custom voices developed exclusively for enterprise customers requiring unique brand voice identity.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | SaaS Online Solutions |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Licensed On-Premise Solutions |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | API Access |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Readspeaker product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ReadSpeaker develops and sells AI-powered text-to-speech (TTS) technology that converts written content into natural-sounding audio. The company offers a portfolio of software products including cloud-based SaaS tools (webReader, docReader), developer SDKs and APIs (speechCloud API, speechEngine SDK), server solutions (speechServer), voice content creation studios (speechMaker), and an Education Suite with LMS integrations. The platform supports 90+ lifelike AI voices across 300+ languages and dialects, serving enterprises, educational institutions, and government agencies for accessibility, content engagement, and inclusive digital experiences.
Product overview
ReadSpeaker is a text-to-speech technology company offering a comprehensive portfolio of AI-powered voice products organized into five main categories: Online Content Reading (webReader, docReader), Education Suite (LMS plugins, TextAid, SCORM integration, assessments), SDK/Cloud/Server solutions (speechEngine SDK, speechServer, speechMaker), AI Voice Studio (custom voice development), and API (speechCloud API). The platform delivers 90+ lifelike AI voices across 300+ languages, serving 12,000+ organizations globally with solutions for accessibility, education, corporate learning, gaming, transportation, healthcare, and government sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- webReader: Real-time voice plugin for reading and translation of web content
- docReader
- speechCloud API
- speechMaker Studio
- speechMaker Desktop
- speechEngine SDK
- speechServer
- TextAid
- Education Suite
Products and services
- webReader Real-time voice plugin for reading and translation of web content, featuring text highlighting, adjustable reading speed, dictionary lookup, translation capabilities, and WCAG 2.2 AA compliance. Designed for publishers and website operators wanting to make web content accessible and engaging.
- docReader Cloud-based tool that displays and reads aloud online documents including PDFs, supporting Microsoft Office formats, OpenOffice/LibreOffice, RTF, and EPUB with OCR scanned document support. Used by organizations to make document content accessible.
- speechCloud API Online text-to-speech API that speech-enables applications and devices, supporting multiple audio formats (A-law, u-law, PCM, WAV, Ogg, MP3), SSML input, pronunciation dictionaries, Asterisk IVR integration, and sample code in PHP, Java, Objective C, and C++.
- speechEngine SDK Software development kit for integrating lifelike text-to-speech voices into desktop applications, enabling voice functionality in customer-built software.
- speechEngine SDK Embedded Small-footprint text-to-speech toolkit for developing applications with dynamic voice capability on embedded devices, supporting offline functionality for automotive, IoT, gaming, and smart device use cases.
- speechServer Scalable TTS solution for deploying dynamic, multi-threaded text-to-speech sessions in client-server architectures for enterprise server-side deployments.
- speechServer MRCP Standards-based B2B voice solution using Media Resource Control Protocol (MRCP) for client-server TTS architecture, designed for telephony and contact center integrations.
- speechEngine SAPI Microsoft Speech API (SAPI)-compliant TTS voices for Windows applications using the SAPI interface, enabling lifelike voice output in Windows desktop software.
- speechMaker Studio Cloud-based voice content creation studio for generating audio files from text in seconds with an intuitive interface, used for producing podcasts, e-learning audio, and voice content at scale.
- speechMaker Desktop Desktop application for voice content creation enabling text-to-speech audio file generation for offline production workflows.
- TextAid Literacy support tool that speech-enables text for struggling readers and writers, including OCR, screen masking, text translation, and comprehensive reading/writing assistance features for educational institutions and learners.
- ReadSpeaker for SCORM Text-to-speech integration for SCORM packages enabling accessible, engaging e-learning content without the need to rebuild existing courses.
- Education Suite Comprehensive TTS solution for education bundling LMS integrations, assessments, SCORM support, and literacy tools designed for inclusive K-12, higher education, and corporate learning environments.
- AI Voice Studio B2B cloud-based voice content creation platform featuring AI-powered voice generation with custom voice development capabilities for branded enterprise voices.
- SpeakUp Offline digital reading tool for Windows PCs enabling document reading without internet connectivity for users without reliable network access.
- ReadSpeaker for Assessments Text-to-speech solution for exams, tests, and quizzes that reads instructions and questions aloud, supporting accessibility accommodations for educational assessment platforms.
Quantifiable outcome
- WCAG 2.2 AA compliant products ensure regulatory compliance for accessibility mandates
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Readspeaker
Customer profileNamed customers21 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Readspeaker technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration18 records
AI capability3 records
Feature6 records
Readspeaker partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SmowltechIntegration of ReadSpeaker's text-to-speech solutions with Smowltech's proctoring software to enhance accessibility in online education. The collaboration supports diverse learners, facilitates remote exams, and is customizable for individual preferences.
- FLOWSPARKScorePartnership announced at Learning Technologies France to integrate ReadSpeaker's AI-powered text-to-speech technology into FLOWSPARKS' corporate learning platform. The integration aims to make training content more accessible, inclusive, and engaging by providing high-quality audio options for diverse learners.
- BlackboardcoreNative integration partnership providing ReadSpeaker TTS capabilities within Blackboard LMS for education accessibility
- MoodlecoreCertified integration partnership with Moodle LMS; ReadSpeaker offers native plugins and was recognized with Outstanding Growth Award
- Canvas (Instructure)coreNative integration partnership providing ReadSpeaker accessibility features within Canvas LMS
- Brightspace (D2L)coreIntegration partnership providing ReadSpeaker TTS capabilities within Brightspace LMS
- ILUNION AccessibilityminorThird-party accessibility audit partner that certified ReadSpeaker webReader and docReader compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA and UNE 301 549:2018 standards
- 1EdTechcoreEducational technology standards organization partnership ensuring interoperability and standards compliance
- W3CcoreWeb standards organization partnership for WCAG compliance and accessibility standards
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Readspeaker competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Speechify: Consumer and enterprise TTS platform offering text-to-speech across web, mobile, and document formats. Directly comparable to ReadSpeaker's webReader and docReader products, with strong education and accessibility overlap.
- Acapela Group: European-based TTS provider offering custom voice creation, neural voices, and on-premise deployment options. Directly comparable to ReadSpeaker in target market (enterprise, accessibility, education) and product portfolio across multiple languages.
- Natural Reader: TTS solution serving education, accessibility, and consumer markets with both cloud and desktop products. Overlaps directly with ReadSpeaker's webReader, docReader, and education-focused offerings, particularly in K-12 and higher education.
- CereProc: Edinburgh-based TTS company specializing in characterful, expressive neural voices with custom voice development. Closely comparable to ReadSpeaker in offering both cloud and on-premise solutions, with strong focus on voice quality and custom brand voices.
Emerging players
- ElevenLabs: AI voice generation platform specializing in high-quality, emotionally expressive speech synthesis and voice cloning. Competes with ReadSpeaker's AI Voice Studio and custom voice offerings, particularly for media, publishing, and content creation use cases.
- WellSaid Labs: Enterprise-focused AI voice generation platform with emphasis on studio-quality voice avatars for corporate training, marketing, and digital content. Competes with ReadSpeaker's custom voice and speechMaker offerings for enterprise brand voice use cases.
- Murf.ai: AI voice generator platform targeting enterprise content creation, e-learning, and media production. Competes with ReadSpeaker's AI Voice Studio and speechMaker offerings, particularly in marketing, training content, and video narration.
Broad incumbents
- Google Cloud Text-to-Speech: Google Cloud's neural TTS service offering 380+ voices across 50+ languages. Directly competes with ReadSpeaker's speechCloud API and SDK offerings, with significant R&D and bundling advantages as part of Google Cloud's broader AI platform.
- Microsoft Azure Speech: Microsoft's Azure AI Speech service includes neural TTS with custom voice and avatar capabilities. Competes across enterprise and education verticals, particularly given Microsoft's ownership of Nuance and deep LMS integrations via Teams and Office 365.
- Amazon Polly: AWS's TTS service providing lifelike neural voices via API. Competes with ReadSpeaker in enterprise and developer segments, leveraging AWS's infrastructure scale and bundling with broader cloud services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Readspeaker social profiles
Digital presenceReadspeaker compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Readspeaker financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Readspeaker leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Readspeaker subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Readspeaker funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Readspeaker M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Readspeaker
What does Readspeaker do?
ReadSpeaker develops and sells AI-powered text-to-speech (TTS) technology that converts written content into natural-sounding audio. The company offers a portfolio of software products including cloud-based SaaS tools (webReader, docReader), developer SDKs and APIs (speechCloud API, speechEngine SDK), server solutions (speechServer), voice content creation studios (speechMaker), and an Education Suite with LMS integrations. The platform supports 90+ lifelike AI voices across 300+ languages and dialects, serving enterprises, educational institutions, and government agencies for accessibility, content engagement, and inclusive digital experiences.
Is Readspeaker a public or private company?
Readspeaker is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Readspeaker founded?
Readspeaker was founded in 1999. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Readspeaker based?
Readspeaker is headquartered in Huis Ter Heide, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Readspeaker make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. SaaS Subscription Services are the primary driver. The others are licensed Solutions, API Usage and custom Voice Development.
Who are Readspeaker's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Speechify, Acapela Group, Natural Reader and CereProc. Emerging players are ElevenLabs, WellSaid Labs and Murf.ai. Broad incumbents are Google Cloud Text-to-Speech, Microsoft Azure Speech and Amazon Polly.
Does Readspeaker have an API?
Yes. ReadSpeaker speechCloud API converts text into high-quality audio for use in applications. Features include: fully automated text-to-speech conversion, customer-specific dictionary for pronunciation control, multiple audio formats (A-law, u-law, PCM, WAV, Ogg, MP3), SSML input support for controlling pauses, phonetic transcriptions, and voice/language switching, statistics interface, high-security hosting with redundancy and failover. Can be used with Asterisk PBX/IVR systems. Sample code available in PHP, Java, Objective C, and C++. Developer documentation is at developer.readspeaker.com.
What industry is Readspeaker in?
Readspeaker's product category is Speech Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAAAFAB, Text-to-Speech (TTS) & Voice Synthesis, with a secondary code of HDAAAFAK, Voice Cloning, Dubbing & Audio Generative Media. Its NAICS code is 513210 and its SIC code is 7372.