Head-to-head comparison
Eist vs Voice Dream Reader: which audiobook app is right for you?
A long-running iOS-first text-to-speech app popular with accessibility users and the dyslexia community. Below is a head-to-head breakdown — pricing, features, privacy, and which one is right for your reading habits.
Quick verdict
Voice Dream Reader is best for: ios users who want the deepest format support and accessibility-focused features and are already invested in the voice dream ecosystem.
Eist is best for listeners who want a free, unlimited, offline audiobook reader for the EPUBs and PDFs they already own — with no account, no per-book cost, and no cloud uploads.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | Eist | Voice Dream |
|---|---|---|
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Native Android | Yes | Limited |
| EPUB import | Yes | Yes |
| PDF import | Yes | Yes |
| On-device synthesis | Yes | Yes |
| Free tier | Unlimited | Trial only |
| Project Gutenberg library | Yes | No |
| Account required | No | No |
| One-time purchase option | No | No |
| Annual subscription | ~$48/year | $79.99/year |
Where Eist wins
- ✓ Free forever — Voice Dream now costs $79.99/year (vs Eist Pro at ~$48/year)
- ✓ Project Gutenberg library built in
- ✓ Native Android support (Voice Dream’s Android app is limited)
- ✓ Continuously updated with new voices via subscription
- ✓ No account required
Where Voice Dream Reader wins
- ✓ Wider file format support (DOCX, HTML, RTF, plain text)
- ✓ Deep VoiceOver integration on iOS
- ✓ Established accessibility user community
Pricing breakdown
| Tier | Eist | Voice Dream |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Unlimited listening | Trial only |
| Annual subscription | ~$48/year (~$4/mo) | $79.99/year (new users) |
| One-time purchase | N/A | No longer available (removed 2024) |
| Typical annual cost | $0 free / $48/year premium | $79.99/year |
About Voice Dream Reader
Voice Dream Reader is one of the longest-established text-to-speech apps on iOS, with a strong reputation in the dyslexia, low-vision, and accessibility communities. It supports a wide range of file formats and ships with a premium voice catalogue. In 2024 Voice Dream switched from a one-time purchase to a subscription model; new users pay $79.99/year. The app runs entirely on-device.
Frequently asked questions about Eist vs Voice Dream Reader
Is Voice Dream Reader still available?
Yes — Voice Dream Reader is actively maintained on iOS. Its Android app exists but has a thinner feature set than the iOS version. Note that Voice Dream switched to a subscription model in 2024: new users pay $79.99/year rather than the old one-time purchase price.
Why pick Eist over Voice Dream Reader?
Cost and platform breadth. Voice Dream Reader moved to a $79.99/year subscription in 2024, making Eist Pro (~$48/year) significantly cheaper. Eist also has a genuinely unlimited free tier, native Android support, and the Project Gutenberg library built in. If you specifically need DOCX/HTML format support or deep VoiceOver integration on iOS, Voice Dream still leads there.
Do both apps work for dyslexia accessibility?
Yes. Both run on-device, neither requires an account, and both let you adjust speed and voice freely. Eist additionally offers a free tier with no time limit, which matters for students and accessibility users who need full-book listening without a paywall.
Listen to a classic right now — free
All free audiobooks →Don’t take our word for it — try one. Every classic below streams free in your browser via Eist, with read-along text and chapter navigation. Same voice the Eist app uses on its free tier.
The bottom line
Eist and Voice Dream Reader aren’t direct substitutes — they serve overlapping but distinct needs. If you want a free, unlimited, offline reader for the books you already own, Eist is the clearer choice. If your priority is ios users who want the deepest format support and accessibility-focused features and are already invested in the voice dream ecosystem., Voice Dream Reader probably edges ahead.
Many readers happily use both: Voice Dream Reader for the few books a year that demand its strengths, Eist for everything else.