Recast is an AI-powered platform that converts long-form written content into short, engaging audio episodes. Designed for busy readers and content consumers, Recast transforms articles, newsletters, and blog posts into bite-sized podcast-style summaries that users can listen to at their convenience.
Instead of passively saving articles to read later—or never—Recast brings the written word to life through natural, human-like narration. Whether it’s industry news, deep analysis, or thought leadership content, Recast helps users stay informed and productive without the need to sit down and read.
Features
Recast offers a streamlined and intuitive experience powered by artificial intelligence and voice synthesis technology.
AI Voice Narration: Converts written content into audio using natural-sounding, expressive AI voices.
Podcast-Style Episodes: Generates short episodes summarizing key points in a conversational tone, perfect for multitasking.
Newsletter and Article Support: Works with blog posts, editorial content, and newsletters from Substack, Medium, and beyond.
Personalized Audio Feed: Users receive a curated playlist of episodes based on their subscriptions and interests.
Mobile-Friendly Player: Listen to episodes on mobile or desktop with a clean audio interface optimized for convenience.
Content Queue: Save articles from your browser to listen to later, eliminating the need for lengthy reading sessions.
Chrome Extension: Easily recast content while browsing with one click via the browser extension.
Voice Options: Choose between different AI voices and tones for a more personalized listening experience.
Continuous Playback: Play multiple episodes back-to-back for a hands-free content catch-up experience.
How It Works
Users begin by signing up on letsrecast.ai and connecting the sources they want to turn into audio—such as newsletters or specific blogs. Recast allows users to paste URLs or upload documents, which the AI then processes to extract key information and convert into natural-sounding spoken audio.
Each article is transformed into a podcast-style episode that distills its main arguments and insights. Users can listen to these episodes via the Recast web or mobile interface, or export them to their podcast feed. The platform is designed for ease of use, allowing you to create an audio version of an article in just a few clicks.
With its browser extension, users can also save any web content to their Recast queue and access it later in audio form. Over time, the system personalizes the user’s feed based on listening habits and saved sources.
Use Cases
Busy Professionals: Keep up with industry blogs and newsletters during commutes or workouts.
Content Consumers: Convert your reading list into a podcast playlist for more flexible consumption.
Writers and Publishers: Offer your audience an audio version of your written content to increase reach and engagement.
Educators and Students: Listen to articles and essays to enhance understanding or review key topics on the go.
Newsletter Subscribers: Turn daily and weekly newsletters into audio digests for hands-free updates.
Knowledge Workers: Maximize productivity by consuming thought leadership content while multitasking.
Pricing
As of the latest update from the Recast website, the platform operates with a freemium model.
Free Plan:
Limited recasts per month
Access to core features
One AI voice option
Great for casual listeners or trying the service
Pro Plan – $10/month:
Unlimited article conversions
Choice of multiple AI voices
Enhanced audio quality
Priority processing
Ideal for power users and knowledge workers
Custom or Team Plans:
Available upon request for publishers, educators, or companies
May include API access, bulk content support, or white-label options
Recast occasionally offers trials or promotions for first-time users.
Strengths
Time-Saving: Converts time-consuming reading into convenient listening, helping users stay informed without being tied to a screen.
User-Centered Experience: Personalization features ensure content relevance and engagement.
Natural-Sounding Audio: AI narration is polished and pleasant, making it easy to listen to long-form content.
Wide Content Compatibility: Works with a range of content formats from newsletters to blog posts and web articles.
Simple Workflow: Recast is easy to use, with fast processing and an intuitive interface.
Mobile Access: Listen anytime, anywhere, making it perfect for daily routines or multitasking.
Extends Content Lifespan: For publishers, it offers an audio outlet to expand reach and reuse written assets.
Drawbacks
Limited Voice Customization on Free Plan: The free tier offers fewer voice options and reduced audio fidelity.
Not Suitable for All Content Types: Highly technical or deeply visual content may not translate well into audio summaries.
AI Summarization Limitations: While often accurate, AI-generated summaries can occasionally miss subtle nuance or tone.
English-Only (as of writing): Currently optimized for English-language content, with limited multilingual support.
Dependent on Content Length and Structure: Very short or poorly formatted articles may not generate rich audio episodes.
Comparison with Other Tools
Compared to Pocket and Instapaper:
These tools save content for later reading, but Recast transforms it into audio, making it more accessible during hands-free moments.
Compared to Speechify or Natural Readers:
Recast emphasizes podcast-style summarization rather than full-text narration, resulting in shorter, more engaging episodes.
Compared to Listen Notes or traditional podcasts:
Recast creates personalized audio from written content, while podcasts typically require manual production and hosting.
Compared to ChatGPT summarization:
ChatGPT can summarize text, but Recast adds automated audio generation and user-friendly listening interfaces.
Compared to TTS browser extensions:
Recast provides structured, curated listening experiences rather than simple on-page reading aloud.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
While still growing, Recast has already attracted a base of tech-savvy professionals, newsletter subscribers, and readers seeking to optimize their time.
A product manager shared:
“Recast has changed how I consume content. I’m finally keeping up with my reading list—while walking the dog.”
A newsletter publisher noted:
“This gives my readers another way to engage with my work. Audio boosts reach and accessibility.”
A student commented:
“It’s like having a podcast made just for me, based on what I need to read for school. Super useful during transit.”
These testimonials reflect Recast’s success in bridging the gap between written and audio content for a variety of users.
Conclusion
Recast is a practical, well-designed AI tool that transforms written content into podcast-style audio episodes. It brings flexibility, convenience, and personalization to how people consume information, making it ideal for busy professionals, lifelong learners, and digital content consumers.
While it may not replace podcasts or traditional reading entirely, Recast offers a compelling new way to stay informed without staring at a screen. With strong AI narration, easy workflows, and a focused user experience, Recast redefines what it means to “read” in the age of audio.
