Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Reading & PDFs

Paper2Speech

by WeiCheng14159 · github.com/WeiCheng14159/zotero_paper2speech

Reads the selected paper's PDF aloud with Apple's built-in macOS voices, from a Play button beside the search box or in the reader toolbar.

Paper2Speech has Atlas grade B (use with care) because it launches programs on your computer. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Reading & PDFs
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.01 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
In useAn estimate of how many copies of Zotero have it: Zotero downloads each new version once for every copy that has the plugin, so we count the downloads of its most-downloaded recent release. Rounded. Plugins that update from outside GitHub count low.
74
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
74
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
2
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
0
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it launches programs on your computer
Applies to v0.2.1, released 16 Oct 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
What we found in the codeSets the gradeThe worst finding in these three areas sets the grade.
Code transparencyReadable code, uploaded by the project's automated GitHub buildThe release file was uploaded by the project's automated GitHub build. We haven't yet rebuilt it from the source to compare.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Updates
Updates come from this project's GitHub repositoryThe update address offers this version
Where your data goesNo web requests foundLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
No further detail for this area yet.
Powerful capabilitiesLaunches programs on your computerMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (1)
Launches programs on your computer
Where we found it
Launches programs on your computercontent/scripts/zotero-paper2speech.js · line 100

Programs it names include say

return ChromeUtils.importESModule("resource://gre/modules/Subprocess.sys.mjs").Subprocess;
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 7, 8, 9, 10 · not 11 betaUpdates automatically
Zotero 7 ✓ worksZotero 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 10 ✓ worksZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needNothing extra detectedDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 16 Oct 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface language not declared
No further detail for this area yet.
We report what we found in the code. Open any area for the evidence.How we gradeReport a problem

What it does

Written by AI from the README

Reads the selected paper's PDF aloud with Apple's built-in macOS voices, from a Play button beside the search box or in the reader toolbar. Voice and speed are set in preferences. Local only, no API key.

Lets you listen to papers instead of reading them. There is no pause, and scanned PDFs need OCR first.

What you'll need

Detected automatically

We haven't detected any setup requirements. That isn't the same as none: check the developer's README.

Where your data goes

We found: no web requests found.

Other plugins that do this

Matched on what they do

For the same job, work with Zotero 10 and graded B or better. Closest match first.

  • A+
    Zotero Local Speech Mode

    Reads PDFs aloud in the reader with play, pause, speed and voice controls, using Microsoft Edge neural voices in English, Chinese or Japanese.

    Matches “read aloud pdf” · 101 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10, 11 beta
  • B
    Local Academic TTS

    Reads selected English text in the PDF reader aloud.

    Matches “read papers aloud locally” · 61 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
  • A+
    Kokoro Read Aloud Bridge

    Routes Zotero 10's Read Aloud voices named Kokoro to a text-to-speech server running on your own computer.

    Matches “local voice reading” · 86 downloads · Active · Zotero 10
    Can use a local model
Compare all 4 side by side
How we pick these

By how closely what they do matches this plugin, using descriptions and the phrases people search with. Copies and forks of this plugin are listed under Forks and copies instead. No plugin pays to appear here.

Forks and copies

No forks listed.

The developer's response

The developer hasn't responded. Developers can reply here, and their reply sits next to our findings.I'm the developer

Ratings and reviews

What people who use it say. This is separate from the grade, which is what the code does, and never changes it.

No ratings yet.

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Install Paper2Speech
BUse with care
Before you install: It launches programs on your computer.Read the finding
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