You are reading the article 5 Best Dark Mode Google Chrome Extensions For Better Reading Experience updated in December 2023 on the website Daihoichemgio.com. We hope that the information we have shared is helpful to you. If you find the content interesting and meaningful, please share it with your friends and continue to follow and support us for the latest updates. Suggested January 2024 5 Best Dark Mode Google Chrome Extensions For Better Reading Experience
Using extensions, you can quickly change the website background to dark in Google Chrome. Doing so will increase the contrast between text and the background and eliminate the blue light to prevent eye strain. Below we’ve mentioned some of the best dark mode extensions with pros and cons.
With over 4 million users, Dark Reader is one of the most popular Google Chrome extensions for reading in the dark. It comes in with many added features apart from just enabling dark mode on websites. Here’s how to install the extension.
Step 4: Once you enable dark mode, here’s how websites on Google Chrome will appear.
In our experience, this extension provides the most refined and clean dark mode.
There are many options to control the color filter in dark mode (brightness, contrast, etc.)
This extension is ad-free and does not claim to collect any data.
You can block/enable dark mode for specific websites.
The extension also comes with a dynamic mode for more accurate colors in the dark mode.
Cons :
This extension does not enable dark mode on PDF files viewed in Chrome.
Dynamic Mode, at times, seems to slow down websites.
Sometimes images tend to be broken on a few websites due to the dark mode forced by this extension.
This extension has problems enabling dark mode on a few drop-down and pop-up menus.
The Lunar Reader extension is another extension that we liked and does an excellent job among all the dark mode Google Chrome extensions for a better reading experience. Here’s a step-by-step procedure to install the extension.
Step 2: The extension will automatically activate and convert websites into dark mode. Here’s how websites will appear once this extension enables dark mode.
Like the previous extension, you get a few options to manage the color filters of the dark mode. You also get an additional feature of managing the color temperature.
You get an option to blacklist/whitelist websites from being converted into dark mode.
One feature we liked was being able to schedule dark mode.
Another unique feature of this extension is that you get a few keyboard shortcuts to toggle the features of this extension quickly.
Cons :
This extension has a few issues with darkening headings and links.
Some sites are inverted partially, and the rest of it remains light.
It sometimes ends up inverting everything, even including images – which are supposed to remain in their true color schemes irrespective of what mode is being used.
In our experience, although it does a decent job, but is far from the previous (Dark Reader) extension.
If you prefer using a simple, lightweight extension – you can use the Super Dark Mode extension. We observed a slightly better performance, and this extension does not skimp on any features and makes it one of the better dark mode Google Chrome extensions for a better reading experience.
Step 2: The extension is automatically activated. You can tap the extension icon in the menu to disable it when required.
Step 6: A new tab will now open up, showing you all the features and options provided by this extension.
Pros :
This extension enables dark mode even on a few PDFs, and other local files once opened on Google Chrome.
This extension is quite light and stable to use.
To offer a refined dark mode experience, this extension comes with three different modes – Classic, Invert, and Modern. The smart invert mode ensures that dark mode is not applied on websites that already have dark mode enabled.
This extension does not skip standard features like scheduling dark mode or whitelisting/blacklisting websites.
This extension does not seem to work well with Google Docs.
Text in pop-up menus and a few websites are too pale at times.
Sometimes, the extension has trouble detecting black text, and as it makes the background around the black text dark, it fails to lighten the text.
We also faced a few white flashes as we scrolled down websites converted to dark mode using this extension.
Another extension that gets the job done for enabling dark mode on all websites is the Dark Mode for Chrome extension. Here’s a step-by-step procedure to install the extension.
Step 3: This is how websites appear in dark mode once the extension is enabled.
Pros :
This extension is quite simple to use and lightweight too.
You can also customize the different colors that appear in the dark mode – using Theme Changer in options.
When it comes to excluding sites from dark mode – you can exclude websites or just individual pages on websites. This is quite a unique feature.
Cons :
We are not entirely impressed with how websites appear in the dark mode. The refinement is quite low, and we do not like how a few elements have grey boxes around them.
It does not have any scheduling options for dark mode.
Multiple complaints from many users regarding the whitelist feature not working properly.
Unlike all the other dark mode Chrome extensions, the Night Shift Redux extension comes with a night shift mode – which adds tints and filters to web pages to help further reduce eye strain and makes reading much more comfortable. Here’s how to install the extension.
Step 3: This is how websites appear in dark mode with an added filter. You can configure the colors and the opacity of the filter with the settings provided in the main menu.
We love the Night Shift feature on this extension, and it does make reading comfortable in darker environments.
You can also control the opacity of the extension using the slider provided in the main menu.
You can customize the color of the night shift tint in the main menu.
It also comes with options to schedule the dark mode.
Cons :
There is a minor glitch on this extension, where users complain of being redirected to the Bing search engine as the default homepage.
This does a mediocre job when it comes to converting all elements into dark mode on websites, and at times a few sections of the webpage might look weird.
Texts also get greyed out on certain websites. Users also complain of the extensions greying out and camouflaging text on Facebook Messenger.
These are some of the best dark mode Google Chrome extensions for a better reading experience at night and low-light. Do try them, and we hope our detailed pros and cons help you make the right choice. Stay tuned for more such guides on using unique extensions on Google Chrome to enhance your browsing experience.
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How To Install Google Chrome Extensions In Microsoft Edge
When it was first announced, Microsoft’s decision to adopt Chromium code was met with skepticism. The launch of Edge, the company’s Chromium-based browser, is the latest attempt to dethrone Google Chrome. Gone are the days of Microsoft running its own proprietary software.
Download EdgeFirst, you need to start by downloading the latest version of the Edge browser. You can do that at chúng tôi and your existing browser will determine the appropriate download package. Edge is currently available for Windows 10, macOS and mobile software for both Android and iOS.
Building it on the same Chromium code base allows all desktop-based Edge users to tap into the incredibly large selection of Chrome extensions. Microsoft has its own selection of extensions as well, downloadable through the Microsoft Store. As of this writing, the native extension selection is rather limited. Honestly, that is okay, as there are so many Chrome extensions, Microsoft can take its sweet time to increase the native selection.
Finding the Extensions MenuAfter Edge is installed on your computer, adding Chrome extensions is relatively easy. Once you have the hang of it, you’ll be installing extensions at will in just a few seconds. Let’s get started.
Enabling Third-Party Extensions Adding Extensions WarningConsider this your first warning: Google Chrome extensions have not been tested in the Edge environment. What this means is that you might see memory leaks or a variety of other breakages. If you experience problems, try and uninstall extensions one at a time until you find the cause.
Uninstalling Chrome Extensions ConclusionAs Edge is likely to arrive as the default browser on Microsoft laptops in the future, there is a good chance it will see lots of market share. Knowing how to personalize and increase its functionality is important. Adding Chrome extensions makes an already good browser even better. Did the world need another Chromium browser? That’s a subject for another time, but in the interim, happy browsing!
David Joz
David is a freelance tech writer with over 15 years of experience in the tech industry. He loves all things Nintendo.
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How To Install Chrome Extensions In Opera
If you are not aware, Opera (the browser) has recently switched from its own Presto engine to Webkit, the engine used by Chrome and Safari. With this change, you can now install Chrome extensions in Opera. This will give you an instant boost of the number of extensions available for Opera. Here is how you can install Chrome extensions in Opera.
1. Make sure you have installed Opera version 15 and above. This is currently available only for Mac and Windows.
2. Launch Opera and head over to this URL and install the “Download Chrome extension” extension for Opera.
3. Once you have installed the extension, you can now head over to Chrome web store and install your favorite extensions.
Damien
Damien Oh started writing tech articles since 2007 and has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. He is proficient in Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iOS, and worked as a part time WordPress Developer. He is currently the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Make Tech Easier.
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5 Better Usenet Readers For Linux
USENET is a massively decentralized information distribution system. It was first developed in the early 1980s and over the years grew to become one of the largest messaging networks in the world. At its peak, USENET facilitated over 100,000 newsgroups that discuss just about anything.
Because of the decentralized nature of USENET, there are multiple ways of accessing the network. One such way is through Google Groups. While that may be appealing to some, accessing USENET through Google might not always be the best solution for everyone. This article will showcase five better alternatives for browsing USENET in Linux.
The Issue with Google GroupsHowever, there are many issues with the Google Groups interface that makes it painful to use for discussions:
Google Groups does not thread discussions. This makes following a large USENET discussion in Google Groups hard – if not impossible.
Google Groups does not have filters. There is no way for us to remove spammers and malicious actors from our inbox.
Lastly, spammers and malicious actors also use Google Groups. Because of this, Google accounts are often filtered out by the majority of USENET users. This makes participating in discussions harder for Google users.
Connecting to USENET TodayConnecting to USENET outside Google used to require a USENET account from an internet service provider (ISP). This account often came with an internet plan to subscribe to. However, most ISPs do not offer USENET services anymore.
Luckily, there are a few websites that offer free or cheap text-only USENET access.
1. Eternal SeptemberEternal September is a private USENET provider that serves text-only newsgroups for free. It holds all of the Big 8 hierarchies as well as hundreds of local and regional groups.
Setting up an account is also relatively straightforward. Simply go to the website and press “User registration.” The website will ask you for some information about yourself.
When you are done filling out the information, you can use the connection information to access USENET.
2. AIOESimilar to Eternal September, AIOE offers free text-only USENET access. It also includes the Big 8 hierarchy as well as a good amount of regional and local groups. The main difference is that it does not require its users to register for an account to access the servers.
However, this means there are strict limitations on how often you can access AIOE’s network in one day. For example, there are limits to how long you can be reading posts online. Further, AIOE also has relatively short retention time for USENET posts.
3. Individual.NETUnlike the other two in this list, chúng tôi is a paid USENET service for text-only newsgroups. At the moment, it is providing unlimited USENET access for 10 Euros a year.
One of Individual’s main selling points is that spam is automatically filtered in the server level, so you do not have to do as much filtering as you would with Eternal September and AIOE.
Further, chúng tôi offers a significantly long retention time of 1175 days. This is useful for users who want to archive a newsgroup they are following.
When you have finished registering, you can log in to chúng tôi and initiate a payment to activate your USENET account.
The following list contains USENET readers for Linux that are better than accessing through Google.
1. Mozilla ThunderbirdMozilla Thunderbird is a great client for browsing USENET. The application already allows you to read your email and RSS feeds offline; however, it can also be used to connect to a USENET server to fetch news posts.
Further, Thunderbird is available on almost all Linux distributions. To install Thunderbird in Debian and Ubuntu, use apt:
sudo
apt
install
thunderbirdFor Fedora, use dnf:
sudo
dnf
install
thunderbirdFor Arch Linux, use pacman:
In the next window you will need to provide some information, such as your name and the e-mail address you want other people to use to reach you.
The next window will ask you for the address of the USENET server you want to connect to. In my case, I am connecting through Aioe.org.
2. Claws MailClaws Mail is also available in almost every available Linux distribution. For example, you can install Claws Mail in Debian and Ubuntu using apt:
sudo
apt
install
claws-mailIn Fedora, use dnf:
sudo
dnf
install
claws-mailFor Arch Linux, use pacman:
In my case, I am connecting through Eternal September. To do that, I need to provide the server’s address.
Further, Eternal September requires an account to read and post. To use my account with Claws, I need to tick the “This server requires authentication” checkbox and provide my USENET username and password.
3. PanUnlike Thunderbird and Claws Mail, Pan is a dedicated graphical newsreader for Linux. Because of that, Pan has dedicated USENET-only features, such as post queuing, article header caching and scorefiles.
It makes Pan a more attractive option for someone who wants to have an easy-to-use yet flexible newsreader.
Pan can be obtained from most Linux repositories. Install Pan in Debian and Ubuntu using apt:
sudo
apt
install
panIn Fedora, use dnf:
sudo
dnf
install
panFor Arch Linux, use pacman:
sudo
pacman-Syu
panOnce that is installed, adding your USENET server to Pan is extremely simple. When you start it for the first time, Pan will automatically ask you to set up an account.
From there, you only need to provide the address of the server you are connecting to and any additional account information that may be needed.
After you finish adding this information, Pan will download all of the newsgroups that the server is hosting. It may take a while if your Internet connection is particularly slow.
4. TINTIN is a terminal-based USENET reader. It supports both remote (NNTP) and locally (/var/spool) sourced newsgroup access.
TIN also supports article threading, scorefiles, and the ability to use your favorite text editor to send messages. TIN is, therefore, useful for people who are more comfortable with terminal-based applications.
Further, it is also available in almost all Linux distributions. You can install TIN in Debian and Ubuntu through apt:
sudo
apt
install
tinIn Fedora, use dnf:
sudo
dnf
install
tinTIN is a very powerful program but still easy to use. To get started, we need to create two files in our home directory:
.newsrc file that contains the newsgroups we are following
.newsauth file that contains the authentication details for the USENET servers that require an account.
Setting Up the .newsrc File to Connect to USENETTo start reading posts, you need to populate the .newsrc file with the newsgroups you want to follow. The general format of the .newsrc file looks something like this:
“newsgroup” is where you will insert the particular newsgroup you want to follow. For example, comp.lang.c.
The second argument tells TIN whether we are subscribed to that newsgroup. “:” indicates that we are subscribed, and “!” indicates that we are not.
The last argument tells TiN which article numbers we have already read. Since we are just starting out, it is better to leave this argument blank.
Setting Up the .newsauth File to Connect to USENETIf you are using a USENET server like Eternal September, you need to provide your authentication details in the .newsauth file.
This file allows TIN to automatically log you in whenever you open the application and whenever you post. The general syntax of the file looks something like this:
nntpserver[
password]
[
user]
“nntpserver” indicates the specific server where the authentication details are used. For example, news.eternal-september.org.
The second argument is where you will put your user password.
The third argument is where you will insert your user name.
Once done, you need to also change the file permissions of this file. Because this file contains your password, you need to make sure no one else can access it. To do that, type the following:
chmod
600
~/
.newsauthWith that done, you can now start using TiN. To connect to your USENET server, use the following command:
tin-Ar
-g
your.newsserver.here
The -A option forces TIN to authenticate when you first connect to the server. You only need this when you connect to a server that requires you to have an account.
The -r option tells TIN that you are using a remote source.
The -g option tells TIN the address of the USENET server you want to connect to.
5. slrnSimilar to TIN, slrn is a terminal-based newsreader and also supports article threading, scorefiles and using your favorite text editor to write your posts.
However, unlike TIN, slrn automatically generates your .newsrc file and provides you with all of the available newsgroups that the USENET server hosts. Further, slrn also has its own configuration file which allows you to further customize and configure its behavior.
Install slrn in Debian and Ubuntu using apt:
sudo
apt
install
slrnFor Fedora, use dnf:
sudo
dnf
install
slrn Setting Up Your .slrnrc File to Connect to USENETOnce done, you will need to copy the .slrnrc file from slrn’s installation directory. To do that, use the following command:
cp
/
usr/
share/
doc/
slrn/
slrn.rc/
home/
$USER
/
.slrnrcThe .slrnrc file is highly detailed and walks you through every aspect of configuring the program. However, for our purposes, we only need to set three things: the “hostname,” the “username” and the “real name.”
In my case, my .slrnrc file looks something like this:
...set
username"ramcesred"
set
hostname
"email.invalid"
set
realname"Ramces Red"
... NNTPSERVER Variable and Connecting to USENETAt this point, you need to set the NNTPSERVER environment variable for your shell to allow slrn to determine which server to connect to.
The commands do slightly differ from shell to shell, but to change that in bash type the following:
NNTPSERVER
=your.newsserver.hereexport
NNTPSERVERWith that done, the last thing to do generate the .newsrc file for slrn. To do that, type the following command:
slrn-f
~/
.jnewsrc--create
This will run slrn with your preferred settings and connect to your USENET server. It will get a list of all of the available newsgroups to subscribe to and put that in a file called .jnewsrc.
You can now subscribe to your newsgroups by pressing L to search for your particular group, then pressing S to subscribe to it.
If the last two programs made you interested in learning more about the command line, check out our guide on how to send an email from the Linux terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions How can I reconnect to Aioe.org?This is most probably because you were banned due to exceeding the daily allotted time for accessing Aioe. You can check back in 24 hours whether you can access it again or not.
However, if you feel that the allotted time in Aioe is a bit restricting, you can also set up an account with either Eternal September or Individual.NET
I am using Mozilla Thunderbird with Eternal September. Why are there no available newsgroups outside eternal-september for me to connect to?This is because you have not authenticated your account through Mozilla Thunderbird yet. To do that, go to your “Account Settings,” then to your “Server Settings.”
There will be a check box labelled: “Always request for authentication when connecting to this server” to allow you to connect to Eternal September through your account.
I am using slrn. How can I reconnect to my USENET server when I open the program again?This is because the NNTPSERVER variable was not set. When we first set up slrn, we just indicated the NNTPSERVER for the current terminal that we were using. Once we load a different terminal, that variable will not be present anymore.
To make this permanent, you will need to edit your .profile file and insert the same commands that we ran:
After that, you have to log out and log back in to your user account to see the change.
Ramces Red
Ramces is a technology writer that lived with computers all his life. A prolific reader and a student of Anthropology, he is an eccentric character that writes articles about Linux and anything *nix.
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How To Enable Dark Mode In Microsoft Word
If your working sessions in Microsoft Word often continue well into the night, you may want to consider switching to dark mode to help reduce eye strain in low-light conditions and keep up your productivity levels. Even if you’re not a night owl, you may still appreciate the way Word looks cladded in black. This tutorial walks you through the basics of switching to dark mode in Microsoft Word.
How to Enable Dark Mode in Word on PCMost people tend to use the Microsoft Word desktop app. If that describes you, follow these steps to transition to the “dark” side.
To change to a darker shade, select “Dark Gray.” Word will automatically switch to the new tonality.
“Black” is another option you may find in this menu. It started rolling out to Insider Beta Channel users running Version 2012 (Build 13518.10000) or later. Microsoft typically releases features over time to ensure things are working smoothly. If you don’t see this option, you may have to upgrade to a newer Word version.
If you don’t have the “Black” option but want to go even darker, select “Use system settings” instead. This requires you to switch your system’s UI to “Dark” first.
Select “Light” next to “Choose your default Windows mode” and “Dark” next to “Choose your default app mode.”
Dark mode will apply only to your opened apps.
As you can see in the screenshots, the results are quite different. Applying the “Dark Gray” theme will leave the document’s page(s) white, while applying the “System” theme will black out almost everything except the text style cards in the upper-right corner.
If you prefer a darker background with white pages, you’ll be okay opting for “Dark Gray.” But what if you prefer the blacker version? You can turn your pages white in this case as well. Jump to the next section to find out how.
How to Keep Word Documents White in Dark ModeWith the “Black” or “System” theme enabled, you can make the page white if you would like but cannot do this with the text style cards.
Go to “File” in Word.
In the menu on the left, select “Options” (all the way at the bottom). If your Word window is not maximized, you may need to press “More” first.
A new window will pop up. Select “General” on the left, then look for the “Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office” section.
Check the option to “Never change the document page color” next to “Office Theme.”
Press “OK” to return to your document, which should look like this now.
How to Enable Dark Mode in Word for WebIf you’d rather work on your project using Word in your browser, know that you can also turn dark mode on from there. Follow these steps to do so.
Access the Microsoft Word live page. Keep in mind that you’ll need to log in with a Microsoft Account to access the web app.
Tip: learn how to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account.
From the menu at the top, select “View.”
Notice how the document turns white while the rest stays dark.
How to Enable Dark Mode in Word for Android and iOSIf you’d like to enable dark mode while using Word for Android and iOS, you can. Microsoft has started rolling out native support for dark mode in the Android app. There’s no option to switch to the dark theme from the iOS app, though. Instead, you’ll have to use a workaround to get a partial dark-themed experience on Word for iOS.
AndroidOpen the Word app on your phone.
Tap your account bubble in the upper-left corner.
Select “Settings” at the bottom.
Scroll down until you find the “Display Preferences” section and tap on “Theme.”
Select “Dark.”
Word, including your pages, will become completely dark.
If you want your pages to be white, open a Document, tap on the three dots in the upper-right corner and select “Switch to Light Background” from the menu at the bottom.
iOSOn iOS, you’ll need to first enable the system-wide dark mode feature, which will force the Word app to automatically adopt it.
Open the “Settings” app on your phone and go to “Display & Brightness.”
At the top, tap on the “Dark” option under “Appearance.”
Open the Word app. It should feature blackened elements, but the page color will be white.
Frequently Asked Questions Can I change the color of my page?You can. Actually, this is an alternative to enabling the “Never change the document page color” feature in Options. To change your Word page color, simply go to the “Design” tab, press on “Page Color” and select white. Alternatively, pick any of the theme colors that appeals to you. This can be a solution if you want to use the “Dark Gray” theme and also change the page color to a shade of gray/black (as opposed to the default white). Note that if you open a new document, you’ll need to change the “Page Color” yet again to use the same color you set before. On mobile, this option is not available.
What’s the difference between the “Colorful” and “White” theme options?If you go for the “White” option, the menu at the top won’t feature that familiar blue color. All tabs and options underneath will be white. However, the blue accent will remain on the “File” option, as well as the bottom part of the display. The “Colorful” theme retains the blue accents in the top menu.
Image credit: dimarik16 via 123rf. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici.
Alexandra Arici
Alexandra is passionate about mobile tech and can be often found fiddling with a smartphone from some obscure company. She kick-started her career in tech journalism in 2013, after working a few years as a middle-school teacher. Constantly driven by curiosity, Alexandra likes to know how things work and to share that knowledge with everyone.
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Screen Reading Software For Visually Impaired: 6 Best In 2023
Screen Reading Software for Visually Impaired: 6 Best in 2023
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Here you’ll find the best screen reading software to help the blind or visually impaired use computers.
We provide you with the world’s most popular screen reader software with many features.
You can discover a tool that can either read text from the screen using a computer voice or convert it and display it as Braille.
Another program allows users to modify their desktops according to their needs to create a productive work environment.
X
INSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE
To fix Windows PC system issues, you will need a dedicated tool
Fortect is a tool that does not simply cleans up your PC, but has a repository with several millions of Windows System files stored in their initial version. When your PC encounters a problem, Fortect will fix it for you, by replacing bad files with fresh versions. To fix your current PC issue, here are the steps you need to take:
Download Fortect and install it on your PC.
Start the tool’s scanning process to look for corrupt files that are the source of your problem
Fortect has been downloaded by
0
readers this month.
Screen readers are computer software that assists the blind or visually impaired in using computers, by either reading the text that shows up on the screen or by presenting them on a braille display.
Essentially, it serves as a platform for the visually impaired to communicate with their computers. Screen readers can either be instructed to read the text on the screen out loud or to automatically speak out the changes that occur on the screen.
Each screen reader comes with its own unique set of command structures. They are able to perform tasks such as read a word, a line or even a full text, inform the user about the location of the mouse’s cursor on the screen, and tell them what item is being focused on.
There are several things one must consider before being invested in a particular screen reading software. Firstly, one must be sure that the screen reader is compatible with their computer’s operating system.
Also, since most visually impaired users find the use of braille displays very helpful, the screen reader has to be compatible with them.
One must also check if the software is compatible with the applications that the user most frequently uses. Finally, it is wise to check the command structures and keystrokes of the software beforehand, so as to be sure that they are easy to remember and not in conflict with existing keystrokes.
There are currently several different Screen reading software available for personal computers. Some are free while others can set you back as much as $1200.
JAWS (Job Access with Speech)Job Access with Speech, commonly abbreviated as JAWS is the most popular screen reading software in the world. According to a 2023 survey of screen reader users, 30.2% of all users used it as their primary screen reader, while 43.7% reported having used it often. Developed by Freedom Scientific and Distributed by The Chicago Lighthouse, JAWS is able to convert the various components of the Windows operating system into speech, making it possible for the blind or visually impaired user to use the OS.
Here are some of the tasks the user can fulfill using JAWS:
Surfing the Internet
Reading text out loud from the computer screen
Reading e-books and other articles
Word processing
Telecommunications
JAWS supports all the versions of Windows since Windows Vista. In order to operate, it requires a minimum of 1.5 GHz of processor speed and 4GB of RAM. Also a Windows compatible sound card is a must. It supports Braille displays as well as speech synthesizers as it’s output devices.
There are two different versions of JAWS: the Home edition, which is for non-commercial use, and the professional edition, which is designed for commercial use. The suggested price for the Home edition is $900, whereas the suggested price for the Professional edition is $1,100. The product comes with a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee, and a limited 90-day warranty for manufacturing defects.
Download JAWS
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)NonVisual Desktop Access, commonly abbreviated as NVDA, is a very popular free screen reader. Its developers claim that their goal is to enable the blind and the vision impaired to use computers with ease. It can either read out the text on the screen via a computerized voice, or convert and present it as braille, via a braille display. Users can control what is read by moving the cursor across the screen.
Users can either download the software to their PC or upload it on to a USB stick and use it with any computer they want.
Here are some of the unmissable features of NVDA:
Since it is free, you can use it at work with no cost to your employer
Makes operating email, messaging and social networking websites and apps easier
Helps with online tasks such as online shopping, banking and transport info
Supports word processing, Powerpoint, Excel and more
Helps with Internet research, news, online curriculum and e-books
NVDA supports all 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows since Windows XP, all the way up to Windows 10. This includes the server operating systems. NVDA required at least 1.0 GHz of processor speed, 256MB of RAM and 90 MB of storage space to run smoothly. That makes it pretty light-weight compared to the other entries on this list.
Unlike most screen readers, which are ridiculously expensive, NVDA is completely free to download and use. It’s developers claim that it’s been downloaded over 70,000 times, in 43 different languages. They encourage users with means to donate to the project. This donation helps support the developers who work to keep the system up to date, and also makes sure that the software remains free.
Download NV Access
Expert tip:
Here are some of the features of COBRA:
Easy and intuitive operation
Supports MS Office 2023
Clean and natural-sounding speech synthesizer
Free updates for up to 4 years
Supports speech, braille, and/or magnification for output
In order to run COBRA you computer must have a minimum of 2 GHz of processor speed (with Dual Core or higher processing speed recommended), 4GB of RAM, at least 2GB of hard disk space and a Windows compatible sound card with the latest driver.
Each version of COBRA comes in three different avatars: COBRA Zoom, COBRA Braille, and COBRA Pro. COBRA Zoom is priced at $649, COBRA Braille at $749, while COBRA Pro is priced at $849.
Download COBRA
Dolphin Screen Reader, developed by Dolphin Computer Access Inc., is another popular paid screen reader. It was formerly marketed as SuperNova Screen Reader. Its speech and braille access makes it possible for the blind or visually impaired user to be in complete control of their computer.
Here are some of the notable features of Dolphin Screen Reader:
Has natural-sounding text-to-speech voice, that can read documents, articles, emails etc.
Its Dolphin Cursor and Item Finder makes it easy to know what’s on the screen.
Speak out characters and words as you type them, hence increasing accuracy.
They can scan and read (via OCR) various paper documents and PDFs.
Supports speech and braille for output
In order to run Dolphin Screen Reader, one needs a computer with a processor speed of 1.5 GHz or faster, a minimum of 2GB RAM, 5GB of storage space, and a Windows compatible sound card with speech output. It supports tablets, laptops and desktop computers running Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10.
Dolphin Screen Reader can either be bought under a single user license or a multiple-user license. The single user version of the software, which is ideal for personal use, costs $955. The multi user license costs $955 for the first user and $685 for each additional user. The multi-user license is ideal for organizations that are looking to provide access across single or multiple networks. Dolphin Screen reader comes with a Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) for updates. The upgrades are delivered to your inbox.
Download Dolphin Screen Reader
System AccessSystem Access, developed by Serotek Corporation, is one of the more affordable screen readers for Personal Computers. It provides blind or visually impaired users full access to the Windows environment. It supports the numerous applications, including the likes of Adobe Reader, Outlook Express, Skype, and Microsoft Office.
Here are some of the notable features of System Access:
Makes it easier to browse the Internet
Natural sounding text-to-speech voices with NeoSpeech
Free software upgrade
Free technical support
System Access is relatively cheaper compared to the other paid screen reading softwares. System Alone Standalone sells for $399, whereas for $499 you can get System Access Mobile. System Access Mobile is also available for $21.99 a month.
Download System Access
ZoomTextZoomText is a paid screen reading software for the blind or the visually impaired developed by Ai Squared. It is available in three different versions:
Here are some of the important features of ZoomText:
There are three different versions of ZoomText available: ZoomText Fusion, which costs $1,200, ZoomText Magnifier/Reader, which costs $600, and ZoomText Magnifier, which costs $400. Ai Squared also offers paid in-person training, paid certification programs and free webinars on ZoomText.
Download ZoomText
You’ve reached the end of our list. The tools listed above are great for the blind or visually impaired, allowing them to use computers and connect to the world.
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