# Flash Reader vs FocalRead

The clearest difference is rating: FocalRead at 4.6 against Flash Reader's 4.2. FocalRead also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs monthly) and review sentiment (64% vs 49%). Flash Reader's advantage is iOS requirement (9.3 vs 16.1). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Flash Reader sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and FocalRead sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

FocalRead holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 162 and 93 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Flash Reader's written reviews are positive against 64% of FocalRead's.

Flash Reader ships an update monthly, FocalRead every 6 days. Both last shipped on September 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Flash Reader | FocalRead |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (162 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flash-reader/id402491178/reviews) | **[4.6 (93 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focalread-speed-reading/id6757935291/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **162** | 93 |
| Positive reviews | 49.3% of reviews | **64.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 72 MB | 103 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.3** | 16.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Didstopia](https://appshunter.io/developer/379028611) | [ANDRES FELIPE SARRAZOLA VELEZ](https://appshunter.io/developer/1813243271) |

## What reviewers say

### Flash Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flash-reader/id402491178)

This app helps you read faster by displaying words rapidly, bypassing subvocalization. It supports various document formats and offers customization options to improve reading speed and comprehension.

**Highlights:** Rapid word display (RSVP), Supports numerous document formats (PDF, EPUB, DOCX, etc.), Import from Pocket, Instapaper, Dropbox, and camera, Built-in web browser with article saving, Customizable reading speed and display, Bookmark and resume functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Flash Reader Pro | $0.99 | one-time |
| Flash Reader Pro | $1.99 | one-time |
| Flash Reader Pro | $2.99 | one-time |
| Flash Reader Pro | $3.99 | one-time |
| Flash Reader Pro | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Ahead of its time
- 👍 Simple to use
- 🚀 Helps read books efficiently
- 👍 Useful, easy to use
- 👍 Brilliant app, great time saver

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't allow to open modern websites
- 🐛 Restarts the book being read
- 🐛 Crashes when using camera
- 🐛 Bugs and stops working
- 🐛 Loses reading progress

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Crashes when switching modes
- Loses reading progress
- Inaccurate resume times

**Requested features**

- Fancy text like newer video captions
- Bookmarks and navigation
- Support for Google Drive
- Quick rewind option
- Table of contents


### FocalRead

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focalread-speed-reading/id6757935291)

Boost your reading speed with this app that uses RSVP to display words one at a time. Import various document types and web articles to finish content in a fraction of the time. Organize your library, track progress, and customize your reading experience.

**Highlights:** Speed reading with RSVP, Import PDF, EPUB, MOBI, TXT, DOCX, AZW3, Read web articles, Organize content in a library, Track reading progress, Customizable reading speed and font

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Version (Weekly) | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Annual | $19.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Annual Plan | $29.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Annual | $29.99 | per year |
| Pro Version (Annual) | $39.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Annual Plan | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Flash Reader free?

Flash Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is FocalRead free?

FocalRead is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Flash Reader or FocalRead?

FocalRead is rated higher. Flash Reader averages 4.2 out of 5 from 162 ratings, while FocalRead averages 4.6 from 93 ratings.

### Do Flash Reader or FocalRead have ads?

Neither Flash Reader nor FocalRead shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Flash Reader or FocalRead?

Flash Reader ships an update monthly, and FocalRead every 6 days. Most recently, Flash Reader was updated on September 29, 2026 and FocalRead on September 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*