BookbubbleEverything you need to read by ear and by eye.
Words light up as they're spoken
Show a few big words at a time, or the whole page. Tap any word on the page to jump there.
A free voice, or your own
It works the moment you open it with the voice built into your phone. Add an ElevenLabs key for a more natural one.
Sound effects under the story
Rain on the window, a knock at the door, cars going by. Played softly under the voice.
Keeps going when you lock your phone
Switch apps or turn the screen off and the reading carries on, with lock-screen controls.
Remembers where you stopped
Open the same PDF tomorrow and press play to pick up on the page you left.
Your PDFs stay on your device
Bookbubble reads the file right on your phone. We never upload it and we never see it.
Made for the moments you can't read with your hands.
Bedtime stories
Load any storybook PDF and let it read to your kids while they follow the words. You get to sit back for once.
The long drive
Turn your reading pile into something you can listen to on the road. Pause, skip a page, and carry on.
Reading that sticks
Hearing a page while watching the words move gives your attention two things to hold. Many people find that makes it easier to stay with a long text.
Ready in about a minute.
Make an account
Sign up with your email and start your subscription through PayPal.
Add your PDF
Pick any PDF with real text in it, a book, a story, a report, a school reading.
Press play
Listen, watch, and add an ElevenLabs voice in Settings whenever you want a fancier one.
- Every feature, no tiers
- As many PDFs as you like
- The built-in voice is included
- Paid securely through PayPal
Questions
Do I need an ElevenLabs account?
No. Bookbubble has a voice built in that works right away. ElevenLabs is optional, for more natural voices and sound effects. You make your own account with them, and Settings walks you through copying your key.
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?
No. Your PDF is read on your own device. If you use an ElevenLabs voice, the text of the page being read is sent to ElevenLabs to turn it into speech, and your key stays in your browser.
Will it keep playing with the screen off?
On most phones it keeps going when you switch apps or lock the screen, and an ElevenLabs voice is the most reliable. Some phones pause the built-in voice when the screen locks. If yours does, keep the screen on or use an ElevenLabs voice. If you swipe the app away completely, it stops.
Does it work with scanned books?
Not yet. Bookbubble needs a PDF with real text in it. A PDF that is only pictures of pages has nothing for it to read.
How do I put it on my phone?
Open Bookbubble in Chrome on Android or Safari on iPhone and choose Add to Home Screen. There is no app store and nothing to download.
How do I cancel?
Any time from your account page, or inside your PayPal account. You keep access until the end of the month you've paid for.