coldRead is a popular line app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Offbook takes a different approach. Upload your script as a PDF, pick your role, and AI voices read the other characters in your browser.
Both tools give you a reader for your scenes. Here is how they differ.
| Offbook | coldRead | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web app for your laptop or desktop browser. iPhone app coming soon. | Apple app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple silicon Macs. |
| How cues work | Listens with speech recognition and plays the next cue after you say your line. | Listens for the cue at the end of your line, then plays the next line. |
| Script setup | Upload a full script or sides as a PDF. Offbook detects the roles. AI voices read every other character. | Built around lines you record on your device. Other lines can be read back to you. |
| Pricing model | Starter $9.99/mo, Pro $14.99/mo, Premium $29.99/mo. Annual billing from $7.99/mo. | Subscription, about $10.99/mo or $83.99/yr. |
| Free option | 7-day free trial (card required) | Free version limited to 8 lines. |
| Best for | Rehearsing full scripts and recording self-tapes at a laptop or desktop. | Running lines on your phone, anywhere, including offline. |
Comparison based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Features and prices may change.
Upload the script or sides you already have. Offbook finds the characters and their lines, so you do not need to enter or record them first.
Pick your character and Offbook reads the rest of the cast with AI voices. You can change voices and edit line delivery.
Offbook runs in a desktop browser, so it works on Windows PCs as well as Macs. That suits a self-tape setup with a laptop near the camera.
Both are good tools. The right pick depends on how and where you rehearse.
From PDF to rehearsal in a few minutes
Add a full script or audition sides as a PDF. Offbook finds the characters for you.
Choose who you play. AI voices read every other character.
Say your line out loud. Offbook hears you finish and plays the next cue.
No. They are separate products from separate companies. coldRead is an Apple app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Offbook is a web app for actors that you use in a laptop or desktop browser.
Yes. Offbook uses speech recognition to hear you say your line. When you finish, it plays the next cue. You can rehearse at your own pace.
Not yet. Offbook works in a laptop or desktop browser today, and an iPhone app is coming soon. If you mainly rehearse on your phone, coldRead may suit you better for now.
Every plan starts with a 7-day free trial. After that, Starter is $9.99/mo, Pro is $14.99/mo, and Premium is $29.99/mo. Annual billing lowers the price, starting at $7.99/mo.
Streamline your scene preparation with Offbook.
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