The quick answer
You can build a useful dyslexia reading setup without paying for software. Start with tools already included in your browser or phone, then add one specialist tool for the gap they do not cover.
These are our strongest genuinely free starting points in 2026:
| Need | Free tool | What it does | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change most websites | Dyslexly Free | Fonts, spacing, overlays, line focus, read aloud and a PDF reader in Chromium browsers | Desktop Chromium browsers only |
| Simplify one article in Chrome | Chrome Reading mode | Cleaner view, font, colour, spacing and read aloud | Works only on compatible content and inside reading mode |
| Read a web page aloud | Microsoft Edge Read aloud | Reads pages without a separate extension | Does not apply a saved dyslexia layout across every site |
| Customise an Android article | Android Reading mode | Font, colour, spacing and read aloud | Android 9+ phones; not PDFs, email, chat or social feeds |
| Hear iPhone text | iPhone Read & Speak | Speaks selected text or the screen; Accessibility Reader changes layout | Apple devices only; availability depends on the app and OS version |
| Borrow audiobooks and ebooks | Libby | Free library borrowing with a valid library card | Catalogue and waiting times depend on your library |
| Read public-domain books | Project Gutenberg | More than 75,000 free ebooks | Mostly older works; not a dyslexia-specific reader |
We do not count a time-limited trial as free. We also do not describe any tool as treating dyslexia.
Best free setup for websites
Chrome's own Reading mode is a good first test. On compatible pages it can reduce distractions, change the typeface and size, adjust line and letter spacing, choose a colour theme and read text aloud. The settings apply inside Reading mode, not across the original website.
If you want your choices applied directly to most pages, Dyslexly Free includes:
- OpenDyslexic, Lexend, Atkinson Hyperlegible and Andika fonts;
- font-size, letter, word and line-spacing controls;
- a colour overlay, line focus and reading ruler;
- text-to-speech with word highlighting;
- per-site settings, highlights and a PDF viewer;
- no account, signup or card for the free reading tools.
Dyslexly makes money from optional Pro writing tools such as word simplification, prediction, dictation and grammar checking. The core reading controls listed above are free.
Microsoft Edge is another strong free option. Right-click a compatible page and choose Read aloud, or press Ctrl+Shift+U. Edge's Immersive Reader can provide a cleaner layout, themes and text-size controls on supported pages. Use F9 to enter or leave Immersive Reader when it is available.
Best free tools on Android
Google's Reading mode is a separate accessibility app for Android 9 or later phones. It can change colour theme, font type, size, boldness and line spacing, and it can read content aloud with adjustable voice and speed.
Google says Reading mode does not currently support PDFs, emails, chat messages or social-media feeds. That limitation matters: test it on the content you actually read before deciding it replaces another tool.
Android also offers Select to Speak for readable on-screen text. It can read a selected area, pause, skip and change speed. Device menus and availability can vary by manufacturer and Android version.
Best free tools on iPhone and iPad
Apple's Read & Speak settings can read selected text or the entire screen even when VoiceOver is off. On supported versions, Accessibility Reader provides a full-screen view with adjustable fonts, layout and background colours.
To find it, open Settings, choose Accessibility, then Read & Speak. Turn on Speak Selection for selected words or Speak Screen for the two-finger swipe gesture. Apple also lets you choose the voice, language, speed and pronunciation rules.
This is a better first step than paying for a text-to-speech subscription if your main need is hearing ordinary app text.
Free books and audiobooks
Libby is genuinely free when your public library uses OverDrive and you have a valid library card. The app has no subscription, in-app purchase or late fee. You can borrow ebooks, digital audiobooks and magazines, with availability set by each library.
Project Gutenberg offers more than 75,000 free ebooks, mainly older works whose US copyright has expired. The files can be opened in a browser or compatible ebook reader. For current bestsellers and textbooks, use your library catalogue instead.
Do not assume Spotify's free tier includes a broad audiobook allowance. Availability and listening rules vary by plan and country, so it is not part of this £0 recommendation.
A £0 setup for four common situations
Reading news and research online
- Try Chrome Reading mode or Edge Immersive Reader.
- If you need the same settings on many sites, install Dyslexly Free.
- Set one comfortable font and size before changing colour and spacing.
- Use read aloud only when listening supports the task; do not turn on every feature at once.
Reading PDFs
- Check whether the PDF contains selectable text rather than scanned images.
- Try the free Dyslexly PDF reader in Chrome for font, overlay and reading controls.
- Test Edge PDF read aloud when you only need speech.
- Remember that fixed layouts may not reflow cleanly in any reader.
Reading on a phone
- Use Android Reading mode or iPhone Accessibility Reader first.
- Increase text size and line spacing before adding strong colour changes.
- Turn on Speak Selection or Select to Speak for difficult passages.
- Keep the original app available for forms, messages and interactive content.
Reading books
- Add your public-library card to Libby.
- Test an ebook and an audiobook of the same kind you normally read.
- Use Project Gutenberg for public-domain titles.
- Compare current Kindle and Kobo accessibility controls before buying a separate device.
What free tools cannot do
Free software cannot diagnose dyslexia, replace an assessment or guarantee faster reading. It can remove practical barriers by making text adjustable, offering speech and reducing clutter.
Be cautious when a tool promises a universal dyslexia font, colour or cure. Preferences differ, and visual symptoms can have causes unrelated to dyslexia. See our evidence-led guides to fonts and background colours before choosing settings.
How we selected these tools
We included a tool only when its core use was free on 24 August 2026 and its features could be checked on an official support, product or store page. We prioritised useful controls, clear limitations and worldwide availability. We did not rank by commission and the external links below were non-affiliate links when reviewed.
Dyslexly is our own product, so treat its inclusion as an openly declared recommendation. The free feature list was checked against the released Chrome extension and its current Chrome Web Store listing.
Sources
- Google Chrome Help: Reading mode and read aloud;
- Microsoft Support: accessibility features in Edge;
- Google Accessibility: Android Reading mode;
- Apple Support: Read & Speak on iPhone;
- Libby Help: what Libby is and what is free;
- Project Gutenberg: about its free ebook library;
- Chrome Web Store: Dyslexly's current listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best completely free dyslexia tool? For desktop websites, start with Chrome Reading mode or Microsoft Edge. Try Dyslexly Free when you want font, spacing, overlay and reading controls applied across most Chromium-browser pages.
Is Dyslexly really free? Yes. Its core reading features are free without an account or card. Dyslexly Pro is an optional paid upgrade for writing and productivity tools.
What is the best free dyslexia app for Android? Google Reading mode is a strong first choice for long articles on Android 9 or later phones. It changes layout and reads aloud, but it does not support PDFs, email, chat or social feeds.
Can free tools diagnose dyslexia? No. Reading tools can adjust how content is presented, but they do not diagnose dyslexia or replace a qualified assessment.