How to Self-Tape Without a Reader: 5 AI Tools Compared (2026)

It's 2am. You just got sides for tomorrow's audition. Your roommate is asleep. Your actor friends aren't answering. And you need to nail this self-tape.

Sound familiar?

The "who's going to read with me?" problem is universal in the acting world. But AI has finally caught up—and there are now several tools promising to be your 24/7 scene partner.

We tested the top options to help you find the right fit. Here's the honest breakdown.

The Contenders

Here's a quick overview of the tools we tested:

• ActorLab — Web, Free tier available — Complete actor toolkit
• ScenePartner.ai — Web, Free (3 auditions) — Students, simple needs
• Acting Pal — iOS/Android, Free to try — Mobile-first actors
• coldRead — iOS (discontinued?) — N/A
• RehearseNow — Various — Varies

1. coldRead

Status: Appears to be discontinued

coldRead was one of the original AI line reader apps, but it hasn't been updated in over two years. The app listing has been removed from the App Store, and the website is no longer active.

If you're still using coldRead, it's time to migrate—the acting tech space has evolved significantly.

Verdict: ❌ Move on

2. ScenePartner.ai

Best for: Students and actors with simple rehearsal needs

ScenePartner.ai offers a clean, focused experience. Upload your PDF sides, choose a voice, and the AI reads your scene partner's lines.

Pros:

• 3 free auditions to start
• 50% student discount
• Used at drama schools (NYU, etc.)
• Real-time listening (responds when you finish your line)
• Natural-sounding voices

Cons:

• Limited to scene reading only
• $80/year for full access
• No additional actor tools
• Web-only (no mobile app)

Best Feature: The real-time listening mode eliminates the awkward pause-and-play workflow. Verdict: ✅ Solid choice if you only need a reader

3. Acting Pal

Best for: Mobile-first actors who want flexibility

Acting Pal is a polished mobile app available on iOS and Android. Beyond AI reading, it includes a teleprompter and a community feature for connecting with real human readers.

Pros:

• Excellent AI voice quality
• Teleprompter built-in
• Community reader requests (free)
• Available on both iOS and Android
• Beautiful, intuitive interface

Cons:

• Mobile-only (no web version)
• Focused on rehearsal, not the full actor workflow
• Still relatively new

Best Feature: The community feature lets you request real human readers for free when AI doesn't cut it. Verdict: ✅ Great mobile option with community backup

4. RehearseNow & Others

Several other apps claim to offer AI scene partner functionality, but many are:

• Rebranded rehearsal space booking tools


• Glorified audio recorders


• Abandoned projects

Always check recent reviews and update dates before committing.

5. ActorLab (Scene Partner Pro)

Best for: Working actors who want a complete toolkit

Full disclosure: We built ActorLab. But here's why we think the approach matters.

ActorLab isn't just an AI reader—it's an operating system for actors. Scene Partner Pro is one of 13 tools designed for the complete actor workflow:

Scene Partner Pro Features:

• Upload sides from any source (PDF, text, images)
• Natural AI voices with emotional range
• Real-time listening mode
• Multiple scene partner voices
• Rehearsal history and notes

But also:

• Teleprompter
• Character Builder (for deep prep)
• Resume & Cover Letter Generator
• Demo Reel Builder
• Submission Tracker
• Callback Tracker
• Casting Dashboard
• Actor Journal
• Headshot Tool
• Analytics & ROI Dashboard
• Smart Contact Manager

Pros:

• One platform for everything
• Built by a working actor (background on Netflix productions)
• Actively developed (shipping updates weekly)
• Web-based (works on any device)
• Free tier available

Cons:

• Newer to market
• Full suite takes time to explore

Best Feature: You're not just getting a reader—you're getting the complete actor toolkit. Verdict: ✅ Best for serious actors who want one platform for everything

The Bottom Line

Here's the quick decision guide:

• Just an AI reader (simple) → ScenePartner.ai
• Mobile app + community → Acting Pal
• Complete actor toolkit → ActorLab
• Whatever coldRead was → Time to upgrade

The 2am Audition Test

Here's the real question: When you get sides at 2am for a morning audition, which tool will you reach for?

If you just need to run lines and go, any of the working options will do.

But if you also need to:

• Build your character quickly


• Check your submission history


• Prep your slate


• Track this for your records

...then a unified platform starts making a lot more sense.

Try It Free

ActorLab offers a free tier so you can test Scene Partner Pro without commitment.

Your scene partner never gets tired. Never judges your 47th take. Never cancels.

Try Scene Partner Pro Free →

---

Built by a working background actor who got tired of texting "you up?" at 2am. ActorLab is the tool I wish existed when I started. Last updated: January 2026