Comparison

Speed reading vs ShellRef

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Speed reading

Enhance your reading speed and comprehension with targeted exercises and a specialized reader for PDF and EPUB files. Improve focus, expand your visual angle, and track your progress over 30 days to read books faster and more effectively.

Highlights
  • Speed reading and concentration exercises
  • Reading accelerator for PDF/EPUB
  • 30-day speed reading course
  • Eye muscle and vision angle exercises
  • EPUB and PDF reader
  • Progress statistics
  • Spritz and Bionic reading modes
Features
Read full description

Contrary to an accepted misconception, slow reading does not make you better understand what you are reading. On the contrary, when we read slowly, our attention gets distracted much more quickly because we give our brains the spaces to think about other things by trying to read slowly. Thanks to this application, you will be able to scan pages much faster by improving your eye muscles, you will learn to read more than one word at the same time by expanding your vision, and you will improve your concentration with concentration exercises. You will read your pdf and epub files much faster with the help of the reader with 2 different modes. o Do the exercises set for you every day in the speed reading course. o Improve your eye muscles, visual angle and concentration ability thanks to the exercises. o After doing the daily exercises, read at least 20 minutes daily with the help of the reader. o Do extra exercises until your eye muscles get tired to improve faster. o Track your 30-day progress with statistics. o You will now read and understand your books much faster than before. o It makes it easier for you to spend time reading books. Features : • Speed reading and concentration exercises. • Reading accelerator for pdf and epub files in 2 different modes. • 30-day speed reading course. • Exercises for the eye muscles. • Exercises to expand the angle of vision. • EPUB reader and PDF reader feature. • Statistics to see your progress. • Spritz reading mode is perfect for reading books • Bionic reading. Who is this app for ? • Those who are distracted while reading a book and cannot read a book. • Those who want to read their books faster. • Those preparing for exams. • Those who want to improve their concentration.. • Those who want to read their epub and pdf books in spritz form. To communicate : speedeys.contact@gmail.com Term of Use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eNVR9o1BhAEry3_dGC_mPE-vaVK9CKMu5i2FPhukvUM/edit?usp=sharing

About

ShellRef

This app provides an offline reference for Bash, Zsh, and terminal editors, mimicking a retro technical manual. It's ideal for quickly looking up commands, syntax, and scripting practices without needing an internet connection. Features include search, bookmarks, and customizable display themes.

Highlights
  • Offline Bash and Zsh reference
  • Terminal editor guides (Nano, Vim, Emacs)
  • Quick command lookup
  • Searchable content
  • Customizable themes
  • Adjustable text size
  • Bookmarks
Features
Read full description

ShellRef is an offline reference for Bash, Zsh, and terminal editors, presented as a focused CRT console reference manual. It’s designed for quick lookup while you work—whether you’re writing your first shell script, checking quoting rules, reviewing Zsh behavior, or trying to remember a Vim command without opening a browser. The app includes reference sections for: • Bash fundamentals, control flow, functions, strings and arrays, file I/O, processes, and scripting practices • Zsh differences, globbing, arrays, and configuration • Common command-line tools for text processing, file operations, and system tasks • Terminal editors including Nano, Vim, and Emacs Topics are organized as short reference entries with examples, notes, warnings, and tables where they help clarify syntax and behavior. ShellRef also includes: • Offline access to the full reference library • Search across commands, topics, examples, and notes • My Quick Refs for saving frequently used entries • A CRT-inspired interface with White, Green, and Amber phosphor display modes • Optional scanlines and adjustable display glow • Reduced-effects controls for a cleaner reading experience • Adjustable text size for easier reading on iPhone and iPad ShellRef is intended for developers, sysadmins, students, and anyone who wants a readable shell reference without ads, accounts, or an internet connection.

Screenshots

Speed reading4 screens
ShellRef4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Speed reading at Free against ShellRef's $0.99. Speed reading also leads on ratings volume (143 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). ShellRef's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Speed reading is free to download; ShellRef costs $0.99 up front. Speed reading sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. ShellRef asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ShellRef holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Speed reading has 143 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Speed reading ships an update every 5 weeks, ShellRef every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Speed reading versus ShellRef: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpeed readingShellRef
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.7 (143 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings143 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlican EfeAndrew Bacon

Customer experience

Speed reading

All ratings118 ratings
Positive92.4%
Neutral3.4%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

ShellRef

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Speed reading

Subscriptions3
  • 1 Month Premium$3.991 Month
  • 3 Month Premium$6.993 Months
  • 1 Year Premium$17.991 Year
None

ShellRef

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Speed reading free?
Speed reading is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ShellRef free?
ShellRef costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Speed reading or ShellRef?
ShellRef is rated higher. Speed reading averages 4.7 out of 5 from 143 ratings, while ShellRef averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Speed reading or ShellRef have ads?
Neither Speed reading nor ShellRef shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Speed reading or ShellRef?
Speed reading ships an update every 5 weeks, and ShellRef every 3 weeks. Most recently, Speed reading was updated on October 7, 2026 and ShellRef on October 2, 2026.

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