Orate
On-device neural text-to-speech queue for Mac
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What is Orate?
Orate is a native macOS text-to-speech application that converts selected text into natural-sounding audio. You select text in any app, press ⌥⌘L, and it's added to a listening queue, synthesized on-device, and can be played back from the menu bar or synced to iPhone via iCloud—entirely private with no account or subscription required.
Orate pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
$4.99 one-time purchase; 14-day free trial available
Orate pros
- Entirely on-device processing—text and audio never leave your Mac
- One-time $4.99 purchase with perpetual license and all minor updates included
- Menu bar integration minimizes clutter; works offline and supports playback speeds from 0.5x to 2x
- 14 built-in voices plus optional HD voice; syncs listening queue to iPhone via iCloud with no subscription
Orate cons
- Limited to macOS with Apple Silicon (M1 or later) and macOS 14+—no Windows or native Android app
- iPhone syncing requires same iCloud account on both devices
- Text-to-speech only—doesn't support importing audio files or other media formats
Frequently asked questions about Orate
Do I need an account or internet connection?
No. Orate works entirely on-device and offline. You only need an iCloud account if you want to sync your listening queue to iPhone.
What are the system requirements?
Requires macOS 14 or later and Apple Silicon (M1 or later).
Can I use Orate on iPhone?
Yes—capture text on your Mac and listen on your iPhone via iCloud sync. Rendering happens on your Mac; playback resumes where you left off on iPhone.
Is there a trial?
Yes—14-day free trial with no credit card required.