Stay with the page: listen while each word lights up
Some people find a long page of text slippery: the eyes slide off and the lines blur. Many people with ADHD say it helps to hear the words while also seeing them. Read-Along does exactly that. Upload a PDF or Word file, and you get a page that reads aloud and highlights each word as it goes, so your place never gets lost. It's not a medical tool and we don't promise it will work for everyone, but it's free to try: one document a day, no card, no app to download. Open the link on your phone or computer. Premium has no daily limit if you need more. We built Read-Along, so tell us honestly if it helps or not.
Hear a sample
Under a minute, read to you.
Press play and follow the highlighted words — this is exactly what your documents become.
The Tortoise and the Hare, by Aesop.
A Hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: "Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal.
On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep.
At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.
Slow but steady wins the race.
From Aesop's Fables (public domain). Read by Heart, one of our AI voices.
Why does listening while seeing the words help some people with ADHD focus?
Many people report that hearing and seeing the same word at once gives their attention two things to hold on to, and the moving highlight makes it easy to find their place after drifting. It doesn't work for everyone, and Read-Along is a reading aid, not a treatment.
How do I start with a long document?
Upload it. A short document is ready in a few minutes; a long one takes about half as long as it takes to listen. We email you the link, or text it once if you signed in by phone and ticked the box. Then try one short stretch, like ten minutes, rather than the whole thing. Pause any time, and jump back 10 seconds if you missed something.
Can I speed it up or slow it down?
Yes. The speed goes from 0.5x to 3x, and another button jumps back 10 seconds.
Is it free, and what do I have to sign up for?
You sign in with your email or phone using a one-time code; there is no password and no app. Everyone gets one free document a day, no card needed. Premium has no daily limit and puts your documents first.
What else helps?
Short sessions with breaks, a quiet spot or headphones, and reading at the time of day you focus best. For advice that fits you, talk to a doctor, teacher or ADHD coach. The NHS and the nonprofit CHADD have free, plain guides (links below).