The story behind Helperbird
What started as a personal project in 2015 became a mission to make reading, learning, and the web accessible for everyone.
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Over 1,000,000 people use Helperbird to customize the web to their needs.
Hey there!
I'm Robert James Gabriel, the founder behind Helperbird. This project was never only a business - it was personal, created from my own experiences and needs.
Growing up in Ireland, school was a struggle. When I was 15, my English teacher told my parents I should drop out (opens in a new tab). That news was devastating, but my parents didn't give up on me. After testing, they discovered I had dyslexia, and with their support, I was able to turn things around.
In January 2015, during an internship at Teamwork.com (opens in a new tab), I created the first version of Helperbird to learn coding and help me study. What started as a small tool to make web browsing easier quickly grew into something much bigger. And eleven years on, it's still only me here, developing and supporting Helperbird.
Helperbird's mission is simple: to make reading, learning, and navigating the web easier and more accessible for everyone. Whether you have dyslexia, low vision, ADHD, or want tools to improve focus and productivity, Helperbird is here for you.
If Helperbird has made a positive difference for you, please consider leaving a five-star review (opens in a new tab) - it helps others discover us and grow our mission.
Thank you for being part of Helperbird's story. My goal is to make a difference, and I'm honored to be part of yours.
With love,
Robert James Gabriel
Founder & Developer, Helperbird
Core values
What we hold to, and the part of it you can check for yourself.
Accessibility for all
65 of the 88 tools cost nothing, including text to speech, dyslexia fonts and Immersive Reader. It is a free tier, not a trial with a clock on it.
Empathy first
Helperbird exists because the person who builds it is dyslexic. The letter above is the whole story, and it is still the reason features get chosen.
Simplicity and ease
Turn a tool on once and your settings follow you between browsers and devices. Where something still needs explaining there are 248 help guides.
Continuous growth
54 releases since March 2023, every one written up on the changelog in plain English rather than as a version number and a shrug.
Affordability matters
Pro is $35 a year, not $35 a month, and one license covers every browser and device you use. Schools pay per school, not per pupil.
Community driven
4.7 from 92 reviews, and the roadmap is public. Most of what ships started as somebody writing in to ask for it.
Stay connected
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Press enquiries and media coverage, partnership ideas, or a review of your own. Whatever it is, get in touch.
Reviews from the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons and G2
Join over 1,000,000 people who use Helperbird every day.
Great features on the free side.
The customizable features are a g...
This chrome extension is absolutely amazing. I'm a Primary school teacher and it helps children with a broad range of needs. It's so easy to set up. I love the way it syncs across devices so set up is seamless across all the children's computers. The customizable features are a game changer for allowing children to enjoy reading and accessing the web in our school. The best application I have ever seen for school children. Looking forward to trying the iPad application soon.
thank you dear creators for creat...
Creating this Extension for dyslexic people is very considerate! As a minority, we don't get much attention, thank you dear creators for creating this app! We appreciate your work! :D
Download Helperbird
Text to speech, dyslexia fonts, reading rulers, color overlays, and 44 more.
Free to add, and the everyday tools stay free. Works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.