Last updated: March 19, 2021
List of features
We isolated eight features most people look for in a reading system. In order for a test to pass, it must meet all of the below criteria. If the feature comes close, a note is included in brackets after the answer. Here's what we tested, and how a test passed.
- Read out loud: The application has a Play or Listen button that will read to the end of the book, and a pause button that will retain your current place.
- Review text: The screen reader is able to voice text and other elements in the book by keyboard or gestures.
- Chapter navigation: The application has an accessible feature that lists chapters and can move between them.
- Page navigation: The application is capable of showing the current page number, and can move to any other desired page.
- Heading navigation: The application will show a list of headings found in the book, and can move to one at will.
- Activate links: Links can be selected by keyboard or gesture, and followed with a press of Enter or double-tap. This applies to internal links within the book, or external links to third-party websites.
- Read image descriptions: Alternative text provided with images is automatically read when encountered.
- Navigate tables: Each cell in a table can be read individually.
We have also performed some basic visual-adjustment tests, which will likely be of interest to low-vision readers, as well as those with other perceptual disabilities. We note if the size, face or color of the reading font can be changed, and if line spacing can be adjusted. A notation is also made to indicate whether the book is presented in paginated or scrolled view. Finally, a special note is made concerning the hyphenation of words. Hyphenated words are often mispronounced by screen readers, but they can pose significant barriers for readers with cognitive disabilities who rely on the visual look of a word in order to understand it. When the word is broken into two pieces, it can be difficult to picture what the word is supposed to look like on a whole.
OpenDyslexic is a font to help with some of the symptoms of dyslexia. Letters have heavy weighted bottoms to indicate direction, and help reinforce the line of text. The unique shapes of each letter can help prevent confusion through flipping and swapping. It also offers wider letter spacing and a unique italic style. Many apps support this font, and we are sure to mention it if they do.
List of formats
For reading systems that support several formats, we've tried to present the list in order of priority. This should help you quickly locate the formats you're interested in. In addition, you'll often find notes about how well a certain format is supported, such as DAISY audio or EPUB 3 table of contents. And for the formats that are a little less common, we've made notes about what program it was designed for.
- Ebook formats: EPUB, DAISY, PDF, MOBI
- Documents: DOCX, TEXT, RTF, ODT
- Internet content.: HTML, Google docs, slides, and sheets, JPG and GIF images
- Other: PPT (Microsoft PowerPoint)
How we tested
Where possible, each app was tested by sideloading the DAISY Fundamental Test Book from EPUBTest.org. The app's documentation was reviewed, then appropriate tests were carried out within the book. Further testing was performed with a handful of publisher files to ensure accurate results. In this way, we feel confident that supported features will behave properly in most of today's correctly-coded books. Testing was performed on an iPad 6 running iOS 12, and a Samsung Galaxy 8 Tablet running Android 9. We also felt it was important to determine how reading applications would perform on older technology. As a result, legacy testing was performed on an iPad Air 2 running iOS 11, and a ZTE K81 tablet running Android 7.
Most apps were tested without an Internet connection. We found that, while many features on the Home screen won't work without data, they can still read books that have already been downloaded.