# Strobe: Speed Reader — RSVP for PDF & EPUB > Fast, focused reading app for PDFs and EPUBs with customizable speed and appearance. (iPhone/iPad app by Jaafar Abdeen.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strobe-speed-reader/id6759187873 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Jaafar Abdeen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1559039483) - Category: Books - Price: Free - Rating: 4.80/5 from 5 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.0 · 10 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-02-19 - Data updated: 2026-08-19 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strobe-speed-reader/id6759187873/reviews.md ## What is Strobe? Read faster. Stay focused. Keep your documents private. Strobe is a fast, focused speed reader for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP), Strobe presents text one word at a time so you can move through dense material without constantly scanning across the page. Import a PDF, EPUB, plain-text, or Markdown file, or paste text directly. Choose your pace from 100 to 1000 words per minute and start reading. BUILT FOR FOCUSED READING • RSVP speed reading — read one word at a time in a clean, distraction-free view • 100–1000 WPM — set the pace that works for you • Smart Timing — automatically gives longer words the extra time they need • Adaptive pacing — optional sentence pauses and cognitive-complexity timing help difficult text feel more natural • ORP highlighting — highlights each word’s Optimal Recognition Point to keep your eyes anchored • Hold or hands-free — hold to read and release to pause, or switch to tap-to-play reading • Live speed control — adjust your reading speed without losing your place • Passage view and search — see surrounding text, search for words or phrases, and jump directly to a result • Chapter navigation — move between chapters and track your progress • Resume automatically — Strobe remembers your position and reading settings • Flexible typography — choose from seven fonts and adjust text size • Keyboard controls — use Space, arrow keys, and Escape on Mac and iPad with a hardware keyboard IMPORT WHAT YOU ALREADY READ Strobe supports PDF, EPUB, plain-text, and Markdown files. You can also paste text directly for quick reading sessions. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your documents and reading progress stay on your device. Strobe requires no account, uses no cloud sync, and does not collect analytics or personal data. FREE AND OPEN SOURCE Strobe is free and open source, built for readers who want a fast, focused tool without accounts or tracking. Whether you’re studying, researching, working through long documents, or simply trying to get through your reading list faster, Strobe gives you precise control over how you read. ## Key features - RSVP reading interface - PDF and EPUB import - Adjustable reading speed (100-1000 WPM) - Customizable text size and fonts - Hold-to-read interaction - Automatic progress saving - Chapter navigation ## Recent user reviews (2 of 2) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strobe-speed-reader/id6759187873/reviews.md ### 4/5 — We love OPEN SOURCE! *2026-05-06* Huge thanks for making this app! for 5 stars we need a few things: on ipad, ability to move between chapters that isn’t a slide bar as it can’t be specific enough to the right page/chapter 2) a way to read without having to hold the screen - I have trouble holding my arm out for that long while reading. Thank you! **Developer response:** (Edit) The app update with both the requested features has been approved. Enjoy! (Original) Thank you for the review! I really appreciate the feedback. You can count on seeing those changes in the next update. Have a great day! ### 5/5 — Amazing! *2026-03-03* Thank you for making this open source and free for everyone to use! Very rare for reading apps which is why this is so nice to see on a good quality RSVP reader. ty :) **Developer response:** Reading this review couldn’t have made me any happier. I’m so glad you like it! Feel free to reach out if you have any suggestions :) ## Frequently asked questions about Strobe ### What is Strobe's reading speed range? Strobe allows users to control their reading pace from 100 to 1000 Words Per Minute (WPM). This feature is designed to help users read faster while maintaining focus. ### What file formats does Strobe support? Strobe supports importing both PDF and EPUB files. This allows users to read a wide variety of documents and books within the app. ### Does Strobe offer offline reading? Yes, Strobe is a local-first reading app, meaning your content and progress stay on your device. This ensures you can read without an internet connection. ### How does Strobe help with eye fatigue? The app features a clean RSVP interface designed to keep attention locked on the text and reduce eye strain. Users can also adjust appearance settings for a more comfortable reading experience. ### What devices can I use Strobe on? Strobe is available on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. This cross-platform compatibility allows for a seamless reading experience across your Apple devices. ### How often is Strobe updated? The latest version of Strobe is 2.1, which was last updated on March 24, 2026. This indicates a recent update, suggesting ongoing development and support. ### Is Strobe suitable for all ages? Strobe has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. The app's focus on reading comprehension and speed is beneficial for students and adults alike. ### Does Strobe have ads? No, Strobe does not contain advertisements. The app is completely free and ad-free, providing an uninterrupted reading experience. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.9 — 2026-08-11 Updated marketing. ### 2.8 — 2026-07-22 Smarter Smart Timing. New "Minimum word length" setting: choose how long a word must be before Smart Timing slows it down. Short words now fly by at your exact reading speed while long words still get the extra beat they deserve. Thanks to a community suggestion for this one! Phrase search, fixed. Searching a passage for a multi-word phrase ("banana pie") now actually finds it — every word of the match is highlighted, and you can jump between results as usual. ### 2.7 — 2026-07-08 Control your speed without lifting a finger. • Hold to read, then drag up or down to fine-tune your speed on the fly. A live readout shows your current words-per-minute and fades away as you settle in. • Smoother, faster imports with better handling of plain-text files and clearer messaging for protected books. • Your furthest-read spot is now tracked separately, so you never lose your place. • Performance and reliability polish throughout. ### 2.6 — 2026-07-02 NEW • Import plain text: .txt and Markdown files now work alongside PDFs and EPUBs • Long imports now show a Cancel button • DRM-protected EPUBs and password-protected PDFs get clear messages instead of garbled text or confusing errors FASTER • Opening the library and big books is dramatically faster • Word timing no longer drifts at high speeds: 600 WPM now means 600 WPM • Smoother playback on long books, and pasting long texts no longer lags IMPROVED • Playback pauses when you switch away, so words never fly by unseen • Reaching the end of a book now reliably shows the Finished screen, and clears it when you jump back in • Arabic books now flow right-to-left in the text view • Adaptive word timing now works on books imported before the feature existed • VoiceOver: the progress bar scrubs in useful steps and the font picker announces your selection • Bigger touch targets throughout • iPad: drag-and-drop import now works • Mac: quitting mid-read saves your spot, Escape closes every screen, and the Enter Text window is properly sized. Plus security hardening for imported files and lots of small fixes. ### 2.5 — 2026-06-13 Quality of life additions. ## More apps by Jaafar Abdeen - [Workouts - Workout Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/workouts-workout-tracker/id6747648677) - [Hush — Focus Sounds](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hush-focus-sounds/id6761935532) All apps by Jaafar Abdeen: https://appshunter.io/developer/1559039483 ## Related topics [serial reader](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/serial-reader) · [strobe text](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/strobe-text) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-19.*