Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about readox.
How does readox work?
Install the Chrome extension, select text on any page (including PDFs) or open the sidepanel, and press play. readox reads the text aloud with word-by-word highlighting so you can follow along.
Is readox free?
Yes. The free plan includes browser-native voices, PDF reading, word highlighting, and keyboard shortcuts. Pro adds 28 premium English AI voices, OCR for images, and AI summarization starting at $6/month.
Are the AI voices processed in the cloud?
No. Premium AI voices run entirely on your device. Your text is never sent to external servers for speech synthesis. This means unlimited usage with no character caps.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Once the voice model is downloaded (~80 MB), premium voices work completely offline. Browser-native voices (free plan) also work without an internet connection.
What browsers are supported?
readox is available as a Chrome extension (Manifest V3). It works on Chrome, Brave, Edge, Arc, and other Chromium-based browsers.
Does it work with PDFs?
Yes. readox automatically detects PDFs opened in your browser and extracts the text for reading. PDF support is included in both the free and Pro plans. You can read PDFs from the sidepanel or use the optional floating play button that appears on PDF pages.
How is word highlighting different from other TTS extensions?
Most TTS extensions highlight one sentence at a time. readox highlights individual words as they are spoken, using timestamp data from the voice model for precise synchronization.
What is OCR scanning?
Pro users can drag, paste, or upload images (screenshots, photos of documents, etc.) into the sidepanel. readox extracts the text using AI and reads it aloud.
How does the Summarize mode work?
Toggle Summarize mode on, and readox will generate a brief summary of the page or selection before reading it aloud. This is useful for quickly triaging long articles.
What if it's not working on a specific site?
Websites are always changing, and some sites use unusual layouts or dynamic content that can make text extraction tricky. If readox isn't reading a page correctly, try selecting the text manually and pressing play. If you're still having issues, reach out to us at support@readox.ai with the URL and we'll do our best to fix it.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Yes, you can cancel anytime from the account menu in the extension. Your Pro access continues until the end of your current billing period.
What data do you collect?
Minimal data — your email and subscription status if you sign in. We don't collect your browsing history, page content, or the text you read. Premium voices run locally, so your text never leaves your device. See our privacy policy for details.