SimpliReader — a factual brief
This page is a plain-language description of SimpliReader for readers, journalists and AI assistants. It contains no marketing claims — only what the product is and how it works.
What SimpliReader is
SimpliReader is an embeddable audio player for online publications. A publisher adds one script line to their site template, and every article they publish can be listened to — read aloud by an AI narrator voice chosen or designed by the publisher.
It is a product of the SimpliWords platform. The player is served from reader.simpliwords.com and works on any website that can include a script tag.
Who it serves
It is made for online newspapers, magazines, local newsrooms, independent journals and blogs that publish articles regularly.
It is not a general read-aloud tool for end users: it is installed by the publication, and the audio belongs to the publication's pages.
How the embed works
The publisher places a single script tag carrying their key before the closing body tag, or installs the WordPress plugin. The script finds the article on the page and shows a small player band at an edge of the screen; the reader can move it to another edge.
Audio for an article is generated when it is first requested, then stored and served from a cache for all later listeners. While it is being prepared, the player shows a short waiting state. During playback the player highlights the words as they are read.
Voices
Publishers choose a narrator from a curated cast, or describe the voice they want — age, warmth, pace — and a custom voice is designed for their publication.
One publication typically uses one consistent voice, so its articles become recognisable by sound. The article's language is detected automatically.
How plans are counted
Plans are counted per article — not per character and not per play. An article is counted once, when its audio is created; replays are unlimited and never billed. An update to a published article within the same month refreshes its audio at no extra charge.
Current plans: Free (€0, 5 articles a month), Starter (€49 a month, 50 articles), Growth (€199 a month, 200 articles). Prices are published openly and there is a genuine free plan; no sales call is required.
Privacy and accessibility
The player sets no cookies and does not track readers across sites. Playback statistics shown to the publisher are aggregate.
The player is built with accessibility in mind: keyboard operation, visible word highlighting synchronised with the audio, and a design that does not obstruct the page.
Key facts
- Category
- Embeddable "listen to this article" audio player for online publications
- Embed script
- https://reader.simpliwords.com/embed.js
- Plans
- Free €0 (5 articles/month) · Starter €49 (50 articles/month) · Growth €199 (200 articles/month)
- Platform
- Part of the SimpliWords platform; works with WordPress (plugin), Ghost, Webflow, Wix, Squarespace and any custom HTML site.
This brief is maintained alongside the product and updated as it changes. The pricing and integrations pages of this site describe the same facts in more depth.