# Speed reading vs ShellRef

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Speed reading | ShellRef |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (143 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speed-reading-reader/id6451441419/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shellref/id6759814118/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **143** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 55 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alican Efe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1693988285) | [Andrew Bacon](https://appshunter.io/developer/1817531814) |

## What reviewers say

### Speed reading

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speed-reading-reader/id6451441419)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Premium | $3.99 | per month |
| 3 Month Premium | $6.99 | per 3 months |
| 1 Year Premium | $17.99 | per year |


### ShellRef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shellref/id6759814118)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


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