SpeechBee

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ElevenReader vs SpeechBee

SpeechBee is our own app. ElevenReader is a listening app: import documents or pick an audiobook, and ElevenLabs voices read it. SpeechBee reads the text you select in any Mac app, with voices that run on your Mac, and also turns your speech into text.

By the SpeechBee team, who make SpeechBee. Prices checked on 13 October 2026

  • ElevenReader
  • SpeechBee
On this page
  1. Side by side
  2. Library or selection
  3. Privacy
  4. Price
  5. Questions
  6. Keep comparing
  7. Sources

Side by side

ElevenReaderSpeechBee
PriceFree 10 hours a month; Ultra $11/mo or $8.25/mo billed yearly (about $99)$9/mo, $79/yr, or $99 once
What it readsImported documents, web pages, audiobooksText you select in any Mac app; pasted text on iPhone and iPad
Where the voice is generatedElevenLabs' service; offline downloads on UltraOn your device
On a MacWeb app and Chrome extensionNative Mac app
PhonesiPhone, AndroidiPhone, iPad
AudiobooksFree titles; 20 hours a month of premium audiobooks on UltraNo
DictationNoYes, into any app
What it costs over timeOver three years, ElevenReader Ultra costs $297 on yearly billing. SpeechBee costs $99 once and dictates too.

1 year

  • ElevenReader$99Yearly · + free tier
  • SpeechBee$79Yearly

2 years

  • ElevenReader$198Yearly · + free tier
  • SpeechBee$99One-time

3 years

  • ElevenReader$297Yearly · + free tier
  • SpeechBee$99One-time

Cheapest published way to keep each app: monthly, yearly or a one-time license. US dollars before tax, prices checked on 13 October 2026.

Library or selection

ElevenReader works like a library. You add documents or open a book, and it reads them with more than 1,000 voices at up to 4x. Ultra adds unlimited listening to your imports, premium audiobooks, offline downloads and custom voices.

SpeechBee works where your text already is. Select a paragraph in any Mac app, press your reading key, and a natural voice reads it, with a small player to pause, skip and change speed. On the Mac it reads up to 200,000 characters at a time. There is no library and nothing to import.

Voice to text
New message

Hi Maya, I'll send the revised proposal tomorrow morning.

SpeechBee's listening indicator on Mac
Hold your key, talk, let go. The text lands at the cursor.
Text to speech
Article

Most people read faster than they speak. SpeechBee reads the sentence you selected out loud, while you keep working.

SpeechBee's Read Aloud player on Mac
Select text, press your reading key, listen.

Privacy

ElevenReader generates speech on ElevenLabs' service, so the text you listen to is sent there. SpeechBee generates the voice on your Mac; the text you select is never uploaded or saved, and reading works offline.

Price

ElevenReader's free plan gives 10 hours of audio a month. Ultra is $11 a month or $8.25 a month billed yearly, about $99 a year, with a 3-day trial. SpeechBee is $9 a month, $79 a year or $99 once, and includes dictation.

Compare any apps in the interactive tool

Try SpeechBee free for 7 days.

Voice to text and Read Aloud on your Mac, iPhone and iPad. After the week, $9 a month, $79 a year, or $99 once. Every plan has every feature.

Download for MacGet it for iPhone & iPad

Questions

Does ElevenReader work on a Mac?

On the web and through its Chrome extension. There is no native Mac app listed.

Can SpeechBee read audiobooks?

No. It reads text you select or paste. For audiobooks, ElevenReader is the better choice.

Which keeps my text private?

SpeechBee, because its voices run on your device. ElevenReader generates audio on its service.

Keep comparing

Sources

Checked on 13 October 2026.