The screen-reader market is characterized by multiple commercial and open-source offerings. Many major device or operating-system manufacturers also offer built-in screen-reader software. In recent years, the market has consolidated, with many previously popular screen-reader offerings becoming defunct, obsolete, or inactive. Each screen reader has differentiating features. No all-in-one solution exists. Many users have more than one screen reader. Nearly 40 per cent use three or more.
It is difficult to estimate the comparative uptake between open source and commercial solutions, due to challenges in market-size estimation. According to the user surveys conducted by WebAIM (for ‘Web Accessibility in Mind”, a non-profit organization based in the United States) the three preferred desktop-based screen readers are: Job Access with Speech (JAWS), NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA), and VoiceOver. JAWS is a leading commercial screen reader for Windows. NVDA is the leading open-source software. VoiceOver is an integral part of the iOS and macOS ecosystem, and a popular choice for its integration across Apple devices.
According to the same survey, JAWS reported usage had been declining since 2009 and in 2019, NVDA took over as the most popular choice. However, since then, JAWS seems to have regained their lead. Primary usage varied greatly by region. JAWS usage was much higher than NVDA in Australia and North America. NVDA usage was higher in Europe, Africa/Middle East, and Asia (see figure I).
Figure I: Historical trends in primary screen reader usage
Image Description
The image is a line graph showing the usage trends of three screen readers over time: JAWS, VoiceOver, and NVDA. The x-axis represents time, with data points from October 2009 to June 2021. The y-axis represents the percentage of users, ranging from 0% to 70%.
- The blue line represents JAWS. It starts at around 65% in October 2009, gradually declines to about 40% by January 2014, and then fluctuates before dropping to around 30% by June 2021.
- The red line represents VoiceOver. It starts at around 5% in October 2009 and steadily increases, peaking at around 40% by October 2017, before declining slightly to about 30% by June 2021.
- The light blue line represents NVDA. It starts at around 5% in October 2009, remains relatively flat until around 2014, and then gradually increases, reaching about 50% by June 2021.
Source: WebAIM User Survey (2021)
19Commercial solutions often ensure compatibility with a wide array of software, have frequent updates for optimal performance and are backed by dedicated development teams that ensure regular support. Further, commercial solutions offer advanced functionalities, including support for complex applications and superior customization options.
Open-source solutions rely on community contributions, potentially leading to varied update frequencies. A stable and active community is thus a critical factor. Some screen-reader and assistive-technology communities15 have noted that certain open-source offerings like NVDA, backed by a strong community, are just as robust as commercial products like JAWS (Job Access with Speech). Open-source alternatives might have customization limitations since they focus on simple and essential functions, but they offer greater transparency and community-driven improvements. Users of both commercial and open-source solutions are dependent on regular updates and maintenance to ensure their ongoing compatibility with the latest systems, creating a notable sustainability risk, even when manufacturers provide ‘lifetime’ offerings. The consequences are varied but involve an increase in health inequity, accentuated by pre-existing disparities in technological readiness, such as those reflected in the digital divide experienced in various LMICs. Major manufacturers have broad screen-reader offerings for desktops and mobile phones, with commercial and open-source offerings (see table 9).
20Table 9: Leading commercial screen-reader manufacturers
Manufacturer | Product | Compatibility | Key features | Indicative price (in United States dollars) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Freedom Scientific (USA) |
JAWS |
Computer only Windows |
Primarily screen reader with Text to Speech and Braille output, Built-in DAISY player; skim reader; text analyser; pearl camera (print-to speech add on) |
90 / year 1,475 (lifetime) |
ZoomText |
Computer only Windows |
Primarily screen Magnifier for computer screen (focused on low vision as opposed to blind users), echoes your typing and essential programme activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages, email. |
85 / year 800 (lifetime) |
|
ZoomText Fusion |
Computer only Windows |
Combines JAWS with ZoomText, offering a dual solution with both screen reading and magnification. Integrated solution, screen reading, and Magnification |
Available, 170 / year 1,540 (lifetime) |
Manufacturer | Product | Compatibility | Key features | Indicative price (in United States dollars) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dolphin Computer Access (UK) |
Dolphin ScreenReader |
Computer only Windows |
Screen reading, Windows compatibility; customized speech settings; Scan & Read printed text; navigate with a keyboard or braille display; natural voice reading | Lifetime: 1,105 to 1,200 |
Supernova |
Computer only Windows |
Screen reading, magnification, Windows compatibility; intelligent reader and magnifier; scan and read paper (print to-speech); natural voice reading | Lifetime: 1,195 to 1,435 | |
Cambium Learning Group (USA) |
Kurzweil 3000 (+Read the Web extension) |
Computer only Windows and MacOS |
Educational software with text-to-speech support, aiding students with various learning needs. Educational software, text-to-speech; customized reading rate; Natural Text-to-Speech voices in 13 languages; OpenDyslexic font, text magnification; OCR capability. |
Single-user license 1,065 to 1,200 (Bulk- purchase tiered pricing available) |
Manufacturer | Product | Compatibility | Key features | Indicative price (in United States dollars) |
---|---|---|---|---|
VisioBraille GmbH (BAUM Retec) (Germany) |
COBRA |
Computer Only Windows |
Screen reader (voice and braille) Magnification up to 32x Edge Smoothing and extra- large mouse pointer |
Obsoletei 849 |
Serotek |
System Access |
Computer Only Windows |
Speech and Braille output, accessibility features |
Obsolete Trial download available |
Upward Spiral Software |
TalkButton |
Computer Only Microsoft Word on Windows and Mac |
Primarily geared towards individuals with speech difficulties TalkButton works together with Microsoft Word to create an extensive text-to- speech environment, highlighting of spoken text and keyboard echo. |
Obsolete Trial download available |
iListed as obsolete if company is defunct or listed website is unavailable, or no pay links are currently available. However, the software was reportedly in use as of 2021. ↩︎
Note: Listed by popularity if known.
Table 10: Leading open-source and in-built screen readers
Manufacturer | Product | Compatibility | Key features | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
NV Access (Australia) | NVDA |
Computer Only Windows |
Speech synthesizer in 50 languages; textual formatting report; Braille- display enabled; optional audible mouse tracker | Open source |
Manufacturer | Product | Compatibility | Key features | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
BRLTTY team (Online collective) | BRLTTY |
Computer Only Linux/Unix |
Basic text to speech support; support for multiple braille codes; can integrate with other braille displays and speech synthesizers; | Open source |
GNOME project i (USA) | Orca |
Computer Only Linux |
Screen reader (braille/ speech); magnifier with auto-focus; different voice types | Open- Source |
Microsoft (USA) | Narrator |
Computer Only Windows |
Text-to-speech, Braille output; pick and read sentence; verbosity level adjustment; scan mode; narrator key | Built-in |
Apple (USA) | VoiceOver |
Computer and Mobile iOS + macOS |
Text-to-speech, Braille support. Audio screen reader; swipe and flick- through; double-tap; select icon and buttons with voice commands | Built-in |
Google (USA) | TalkBack |
Mobile only Android |
Android compatibility, spoken feedback, navigation support; swipe and flick-through; double-tap; select icon and buttons with voice command; activate with different gestures | Built-in / Free (Built into Android) |
ChromeVox |
Computer and Mobile ChromeOS |
Web-based extension for Chrome – audio screen reader for content displayed on the web (HTML5; CSS; JavaScript) | Open source / Free (Web based, built into Google Chrome) |
i Initially offered by Sun Microsystems. After the Oracle acquisition, the software became community driven. ↩︎
Notes: Listed by popularity if known. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and HyperText Markup Language (HTML) are coding languages.
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