Quick answer
Gutenvox is an iPhone app for people who want to read public-domain classics and keep going by ear when they step away from the page. You can find books, save a focused shelf, read, and listen with spoken-word highlighting in the same experience.
Download Gutenvox on the App Store or review the Gutenvox press kit for screenshots and verified product facts.
What Gutenvox 1.1 does
Gutenvox is built around a simple reading path:
- Find a public-domain book by title, author, or subject
- Review the book before adding it to your shelf
- Save books in a focused personal library
- Read in a quiet, adjustable reader
- Continue with long-form synthetic narration
- Follow spoken-word highlighting while listening
The goal is continuity. A book should not become a separate project just because you want to move from the page to headphones and back again.
Why reading and listening belong together
Readers rarely stay in one setting. A chapter might begin on the couch, continue during a walk, and end in a quiet room later that evening. Separate ebook and audiobook products can make that transition feel heavier than it needs to be.
Gutenvox keeps reading, a saved shelf, and narration inside one focused app. It does not try to turn a classic into a noisy content feed. The book remains the center of the experience.
A transparent voice choice
Gutenvox uses on-device synthetic text-to-speech. It is not a human audiobook recording, and it is not presented as a replacement for a great human performance.
The tradeoff is practical: synthetic narration can help a reader continue the public-domain book they selected while keeping the reading and listening experience connected. If a human recording you enjoy is available, that may still be the better listening choice.
How the free experience works
Gutenvox is free to download. It begins with seven days of unlimited narration. After that period, reading remains available and the free tier includes 20 narration minutes per day. Optional Plus plans remove the narration limit.
Current prices and offer eligibility are shown by the App Store before purchase and can vary by country or region.
Who Gutenvox is for
Gutenvox may be useful for:
- Readers working through classic literature
- Students moving between close reading and listening
- Commuters who want to continue a book away from the page
- Public-domain enthusiasts exploring less familiar shelves
- Readers who prefer a calm library over a general media catalog
It is also a useful research companion for people comparing public-domain texts and existing audiobook catalogs, although rights and catalog availability should always be verified independently.
How to begin
Start with a book you already know or a short classic you have meant to read. Save it to your shelf, read a few pages, and then try ten minutes of narration. The useful question is not whether synthetic speech imitates a favorite narrator. It is whether moving between reading and listening helps you stay with the book.
For a guided walkthrough, read getting started with Gutenvox. For product limits and common questions, see the Gutenvox FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gutenvox an audiobook app?
Gutenvox is a reading and listening app. It uses on-device synthetic narration rather than human audiobook recordings and keeps narration connected to the readable book.
Is the narration human-recorded?
No. Narration is synthetic text-to-speech running on device. Gutenvox states that distinction clearly so readers can choose the experience that suits them.
Is reading limited after the trial?
Reading remains available. After the seven-day unlimited narration period, the free tier includes 20 narration minutes per day. Optional Plus plans remove the narration limit.
Does Gutenvox replace LibriVox?
No. LibriVox offers volunteer-read public-domain audiobooks and is a strong choice when a title has a human performance you enjoy. Gutenvox takes a different approach by connecting readable public-domain books with synthetic narration in one iPhone app.
Is Gutenvox affiliated with Project Gutenberg or LibriVox?
No. Gutenvox is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Project Gutenberg or LibriVox.
Where can I download Gutenvox?
Gutenvox is available on the App Store. Media and directory reviewers can use the press kit for current screenshots, boilerplate, and contact information.