Speechify is expanding its capabilities by adding voice detection features, including voice typing and a conversational voice assistant, to its Chrome extension. The company’s decision comes as the demand for voice-based tools has increased significantly due to advancements in speech recognition models.
The new tool allows users to convert written content into spoken words with support for English, correcting errors and removing filler words. However, during our short test period, we noticed a few limitations. For instance, triggering voice dictation on certain websites like WordPress proved challenging, but the company plans to optimize popular sites gradually.
In terms of accuracy, Speechify’s tool showed a higher word error rate compared to other similar tools. Nevertheless, the model learns faster with increased usage, and the error rate is expected to decrease over time.
The conversational voice assistant, available in the sidebar, can answer questions about websites, such as explaining complex concepts or providing key ideas. This feature is designed to provide a seamless user experience, with voice being prioritized over text-based interactions.
According to Rohan Pavuluri, Speechify’s chief business officer, the company believes that chat will always be the default interaction method for popular AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. In contrast, Speechify focuses on providing voice as the primary, default setting for its users.
One notable limitation of the new assistant is that it doesn’t currently work with browsers featuring in-built sidebar assistants. However, the extension’s massive user base on Chrome makes this less of a concern. The startup plans to integrate both voice typing and the conversational AI tool across desktop and mobile applications gradually.
Furthermore, Speechify aims to develop agents that can complete tasks on behalf of users, such as making calls or waiting on hold with customer support. While other companies like Truecaller are also working towards this goal, Speechify’s focus on voice-based interactions sets it apart in the market.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/25/speechify-adds-voice-typing-and-voice-assistant-to-its-chrome-extension