ElevenReader is an iOS app developed by ElevenLabs, Inc., positioned as a reader that can convert books, PDFs, and documents into audio. According to the App Store page information, the app is free to download, includes in-app purchases, is rated 13+, ranks 89th in the productivity category, and supports English plus more than 13 other languages.
In terms of purpose, ElevenReader mainly reads aloud text materials such as e-books, PDFs, documents, and Kindle content, generating audio with its text-to-speech models. The latest major update introduced the Eleven v4 model, officially described as the "most expressive text-to-speech model," for converting e-books, PDFs, documents, Kindle content, and more into audio.
Main capabilities include: support for more than 30 languages; hundreds of natural, expressive AI voices, including celebrity voices such as James Dean, Maya Angelou, and Michael Caine, which are obtained through partnerships with celebrities and their estates. The app supports importing Kindle and Archive of Our Own content, and import can be started directly from the home page. Users can choose a voice and adjust the reading speed, add custom pronunciations for words and names, and choose the level of expressiveness of the voice. The app supports offline downloads and offers fast voice downloads; it supports CarPlay listening, allowing users to browse recent history and the library, select chapters and voices, and control playback on the car screen. Web reading playback controls now include sleep timer, soundscapes, sharing, and a cleaner top menu. In addition, users can mark books as finished, share collection links, view "More Like This" in collections, and more.
In terms of usage, after downloading the app from the App Store, users can import or open books, PDFs, documents, and Kindle content, and select a voice and speed for reading aloud or listening. The app supports read-along highlighting, resuming after pause, audio-only listening, and more. Offline download status is displayed, and chapter download status corresponds to a checkmark indicating download completion.
Use cases include: wanting to convert books, articles, and PDFs into audio for listening while commuting, driving (CarPlay), or doing other things; users with dyslexia or reading difficulties who prefer auditory input; when works by independent authors or self-published authors do not have audiobook versions, a read-aloud version can be generated through this app; listening back to one's own work while writing to check rhythm and tone and to find non-spelling errors; listening to the Bible and other texts containing quotation formatstext, the app can correctly read certain ordinal references (such as "second Chronicles" rather than "two Chronicles").
Limitations and notes: The app's basic download is free, but it contains in-app purchases, and some features or durations may be affected by the subscription plan. User reviews mention that subscription prices and packages have changed at times, but current official information does not provide complete, up-to-date pricing and package details, so specific charges, tier prices, monthly duration limits, and other facts are not currently available; please refer to the actual information in the app. The app is on the iOS platform, has an age rating of 13+, and some voices and features may be affected by regional or language support. Regarding the model's handling of special punctuation (such as em dashes) and inference of dialogue emotion, user feedback indicates room for improvement, but the official provider has not made any commitments on this.
