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Balabolka (text-to-speech)

Balabolka is a free text-to-speech (TTS) tool for Windows. It reads text aloud from a range of sources, including documents, emails, websites and copied text. It’s especially helpful for people with visual impairments, dyslexia or those who prefer learning by listening.

Key features

  • Adjust the voice’s speed, pitch and pronunciation using Microsoft’s Speech API (SAPI).
  • Create custom pronunciation rules to correct or improve how words are read aloud.
  • Use any text-to-speech voice installed on your computer.
  • Supports many text formats, including DOC, DOCX, EPUB, HTML, PDF, PPT, PPTX and RTF.

Access instructions

  • For University-managed devices running Windows, you can install this software from the Software Center.
  • For personal devices, download the software from the Balabolka website (cross-plus-a.com).

Available to everyone

You can use this service on University-managed and personal devices.

App-based

Compatible with Windows.

Free to use

This service is free to use.

Access instructions

  • For University-managed devices running Windows, you can install this software from the Software Center.
  • For personal devices, download the software from the Balabolka website (cross-plus-a.com).

Related tools

Guides and help

How-to guides and set up

Training and best practice

Contact for support

If you’re experiencing technical issues and need advice, please contact IT Services.

Service commitments

Support

  • This service is managed by a third party.

Standards

  • Our service performance and standards have been produced in consultation with our customers. We regularly monitor the delivery, performance and availability of facilities and services.

We appreciate feedback as it helps us review and continually improve our service.

Page last reviewed: 12 May 2025