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Balabolka is a versatile Text-To-Speech (TTS) application that uses all computer voices installed on your system. This powerful software provides a straightforward way to convert text into speech, making it a reliable solution for all your reading needs.
The software can read clipboard content and view text from CHM, DjVu, DOC, EPUB, FB2, HTML, ODT, PDF, and RTF files. Font and background colors can be customized, and playback can be controlled from the system tray or with global hotkeys.
Balabolka supports multiple versions of Microsoft Speech API (SAPI), enabling you to adjust a voice’s parameters, including rate and pitch. This gives you a high level of control over the voice’s sound, making it a versatile tool for all your reading needs.
The user can apply a special substitution list to improve the quality of the voice’s articulation. This feature is useful for changing word spelling. Pronunciation correction rules operate using regular expression syntax.
The software allows synchronized text storage through external LRC files or MP3 tags embedded in audio files. Text is displayed synchronously when you play an audio file with computer-based players or modern digital audio players, similar to song lyrics. The on-screen text can be saved as a WAV, MP3, MP4, OGG, or WMA file.
Supported Languages in Balabolka:
English, Bulgarian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian
Balabolka – Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Converts text into speech using installed Windows speech engines, making it useful for listening to documents, eBooks, and web content. | ✗ The quality of speech output depends on the installed text-to-speech voices and may differ from one system to another. |
| ✓ Supports numerous document formats, including TXT, DOCX, PDF, EPUB, HTML, and RTF, allowing users to read a wide variety of files. | ✗ The interface prioritizes functionality over modern design, which may appear dated to new users. |
| ✓ Can save narrated text as audio files in formats such as MP3, WAV, OGG, and WMA for offline playback. | ✗ Advanced configuration options and pronunciation settings may take new users time to learn. |
| ✓ Offers extensive customization options, including voice selection, speech rate, pitch, pronunciation rules, and reading pauses. | ✗ Realistic AI-generated voices are not included by default and typically require compatible third-party speech engines. |
| ✓ Free for personal and commercial use, making it a practical text-to-speech solution for students, educators, and professionals. | ✗ Converting large documents or creating lengthy audio files can be time-consuming, depending on the selected voice and system performance. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Balabolka available as a portable version?
Yes, a portable version is available and can be run without a traditional installation. It is useful when you want to carry the text-to-speech tool on removable storage or use it on a Windows computer without installing the standard version.
Can Balabolka read text copied to the Windows clipboard?
Yes, it can read text from the Windows clipboard aloud, which is useful when you want to listen to text from another application without saving it as a separate document. It can also monitor the clipboard and automatically read newly copied text when that feature is enabled.
Why does Balabolka sound robotic or unnatural?
Speech quality depends largely on the text-to-speech voices installed on your Windows system. The application uses available SAPI-compatible voices, so installing a higher-quality compatible voice can improve the result; realistic AI voices are not included by default.
What is the difference between Balabolka and NaturalReader?
Both convert written content into speech, but Balabolka is a Windows-focused desktop utility that relies on locally installed voices and offers extensive voice and pronunciation controls. NaturalReader provides a broader cross-device reading experience with cloud features and more natural AI voices, making it better suited to users who prioritize voice quality and multi-device access.
What’s New in Balabolka 2.15.0.919:
Release Date 2026-08-23
- Updated the voice list for Microsoft Azure.
- Resources for the Vietnamese language were updated (thanks to Nguyễn Ninh Hoàng).
Official Homepage – https://www.cross-plus-a.com
Supported Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11.
