Best Self Tape Apps for Actors

What makes a good self tape app?

The best self tape apps solve a specific problem: giving you a reliable reader so you can focus on your performance instead of logistics. The key things to look for are how the app handles cue timing, whether it can follow your natural pacing, and how quickly you can go from receiving sides to running the scene.

Most actors end up choosing between apps that use fixed timers (you set pauses between lines) and apps that actually listen and respond to your voice. The difference matters most when you want to play with pacing, take a beat, or speed through a section — a timer-based reader can't adapt, but a cue-aware one can.

OnBook

OnBook is a scene partner app built around voice-activated cue detection. Upload a PDF of your sides and OnBook automatically parses characters and lines. When you run a scene, the reader follows your voice in real time — it waits when you pause, comes in on cue when you finish your line, and adjusts to your pacing throughout the scene. It is not limited to self tapes: actors use it to prep plays, TV scenes, and film work, including scripts up to 200 pages.

All speech processing happens on-device, which means it works offline and responds faster than cloud-based alternatives. OnBook also includes a voice-activated teleprompter that scrolls with your performance, memorization and accuracy features, and paid-tier workflows like invite-based reader recording, full-length productions, and background practice. It does not generate AI voices: use your own voice with optional pitch shift, or invite a friend to record the reader exactly how you want it. For day-to-day role prep, it is the fastest, most reliable way to practice your work.

ColdRead

ColdRead positions itself as a cue-aware reader with on-device speech recognition and no internet requirement. It is strong for second-device reader workflows because its core flow is built around running lines and responding to your cue words like a live reader.

The tradeoff is setup: you record each line first, then rehearse or self-tape. That can be reliable once configured, but it is slower than PDF auto-parse workflows when you're on a short audition deadline. Developed by Miljan Milosevic, ColdRead's App Store listing shows its latest version update in December 2022 (about 3 years ago as of February 20, 2026).†

† Developer name and update timing are based on App Store listing records as of February 20, 2026.

Slatable

Slatable is primarily an all-in-one self-tape production app: record, edit, and submit in one place. Its SceneAudio tools let you self-tape without a reader, and Premium adds voice conversion plus extra workflow tools for combining and managing takes.

It also has a capable teleprompter with PDF/text/scanned script support. For strict second-device reader use, it can work, but the product emphasis is broader tape creation rather than cue-detection-first rehearsal. The free tier is limited, so frequent self-tapers usually end up on a paid plan.

Rafy

Rafy is a strong third comparator because it emphasizes fast script intake: it can import PDF files or scanned photos and extract dialogue while ignoring non-dialogue elements. It also offers a smart teleprompter and an AI reader that is described as pace-responsive.

Rafy appears closest to OnBook on import speed among these three alternatives. Its public pricing page lists paid token plans, while the App Store lists it as a free download with in-app purchases, so cost should be compared based on your monthly scene volume.

How to choose

If your priority is speed plus reliable cue behavior, compare two things first: how quickly you can get to a first full read-through and how often the reader misses cues at your natural pacing. That gives you a practical accuracy signal without waiting for perfect benchmark data.

For self tape workflows specifically, the biggest differentiator is whether the app can act as a second-device reader while you record. OnBook is designed for exactly this — run it on a phone or iPad next to your camera and it handles the reader lines and cue timing while you focus on the scene. It also scales beyond self tapes for actors working on plays, TV, and film scripts up to 200 pages with memorization support.