Ollie vs coldRead
coldRead is an Apple app that runs lines from audio you record yourself. With Ollie, you upload your script and every other part already has a voice. We make Ollie, so read this knowing that. Everything we say about coldRead comes from their own public pages, linked at the bottom.
Last updated November 2026
Why pick Ollie
No recording every line
With coldRead, you record each line or import the audio. With Ollie, you upload a PDF, Word or text file, and it finds the scenes and characters and reads the other parts in voices you choose. On a whole play, that's hours back.
It tracks what you've learned
Test me hides your lines, scores each one you say, and keeps a per-line record. We didn't find progress tracking on coldRead's pages.
Your cast, live
Castmates join a group session from their own devices, whatever they use, and Ollie reads any part nobody's covering. coldRead lets you send scenes and recordings to friends by AirDrop, mail or text.
Works beyond Apple
Ollie runs in a modern browser on phones, tablets and laptops. coldRead runs on iPhones, iPads and M-chip Macs.
Side by side
| Feature | Ollie | coldRead |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | OllieLearning a whole part, especially for a stage production | coldReadActors running their own recorded scenes on Apple devices |
| Tracks what you've learned | OllieYes. Test me scores each line you say with it hidden, by how many of its words it heard, and keeps a per-line record. Free accounts get three scored runs a week | coldReadNot described on the pages we read |
| Live group rehearsal | OllieYes, available now. Castmates join from their own devices and Ollie reads any part nobody's covering. Free hosts can invite one guest, for up to 40 minutes a session and 80 a week. Standard and Pro allow 4 people, larger plans more | coldReadNot described as a live session. Scenes and recordings can be sent to friends |
| Director mode | OllieComing soon | coldReadNot described |
| Line-learning tools | OllieListen, Practice and Test me modes. Show, First letters or Hide your lines. Spoken commands like “Ollie line” | coldReadA built-in teleprompter, with reader speed and pitch controls |
| Listens for your line | OllieYes, with hands-free on. It hears when you stop speaking. Scored lines use cloud transcription with an on-device fallback | coldReadYes, by your last word or your voice, plus tap and non-stop modes |
| Voices for other parts | OllieAI voices you cast per character. Standard voices run in your browser; premium voices come with higher paid plans | coldReadRecordings you make or import. AI voices not described |
| Script import | OlliePDF, Word (.docx) and plain text. Scanned PDFs are read up to 100 pages | coldReadRecord or import audio, and type or dictate text. PDF and Word not described |
| Self-tape recording | OllieComing soon | coldReadYes |
| iOS app | OllieComing soon | coldReadYes, iPhone and iPad, plus M-chip Macs and an Apple Watch remote |
| Where it runs | OllieA browser on phone, tablet or laptop, with nothing to install. Can be added to a home screen | coldReadApple devices. Web and Android not described |
| Availability | OllieInvite-only beta | coldReadOpen, no sign-up |
| Price | OllieFree to start, with one active script and no per-minute charge for rehearsing. Paid plan prices not yet published | coldReadFree under 8 lines, then $6.99 to $10.99 a month depending on the term |
What's here, and what's next
Group mode
Available nowYour cast joins from their own devices and rehearses the same scene together, wherever they are. Ollie reads any part nobody's covering.
Director mode
Coming soonDirectors upload the play, invite their cast into their roles, and see each actor's rehearsal time and memorization progress, then leave line notes and role notes right on the script. Cast members can join just for that production and keep their own Ollie account too.
iOS app
Coming soonOllie already runs in your iPhone's browser. An iOS app is on the way.
Self-tape
Coming soonOllie reads the other parts while you put yourself on tape, so the scene you've learned is the scene you record.
What coldRead does well
- Self-tape and native Apple apps today, including an Apple Watch remote. Self-tape and iOS are coming soon to Ollie.
- No sign-up and no internet connection needed.
- Several languages, and modes that follow your last word, your voice, or your tap.
What it costs
coldRead is free for scenes under 8 lines. After that it's $10.99 a month, $8.99 on a 3-month plan, or $6.99 on a yearly plan. There's no per-minute cost, because you supply the audio yourself. The real cost is the time spent recording.
Ollie is free to start, and its standard voices run in your browser with no per-minute charge. Free accounts have limits, including one active script and three scored Test me runs a week. We haven't published paid plan prices yet.
Privacy
coldRead needs no email address or sign-up, and its App Store listing says recordings and speech recognition stay on your device. Its privacy policy is dated 2018, so ask them about anything specific. Ollie needs an account, sends your script to AI providers to parse it, and says it doesn't use scripts or voice to train AI models. Its standard voices are generated in your browser, while premium voices and speech transcription use cloud providers.
For the details, read Ollie's privacy policy and coldRead's.
See for yourself
The best way to judge a scene partner is to run a scene. Try one in Ollie's demo, with no sign-up. If you're about to learn a full part, our guide to learning a whole play will help whichever app you use.
Try a scene now, then bring your script.
Upload your script and Ollie reads every other part out loud, waits for you to say your lines, and keeps track of the ones you've really learned. Ollie is in an invite-only beta, and the demo needs no sign-up.
Sources
coldReaddetails come from these pages, read November 5, 2026. "Not described" means we didn't find it on them, not that it doesn't exist. Prices and features may have changed, so check their site for current details. Spotted something wrong? Email us at the Support link below and we'll fix it.
coldReadis a product of its respective owner. Ollie isn't affiliated with or endorsed by coldRead.