Comparison

FocusBubble vs Flash Reader

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

Head to head
About

FocusBubble

Features
Read full description

Staying focused is harder than ever. FocusBubble helps you reclaim your attention by temporarily blocking distracting apps so you can study, work, create, or simply enjoy life without constant interruptions. Choose the apps that steal your time, set a clear end time, and activate your focus session. There is no complicated setup, just immediate control over your digital environment. When your session ends, you receive a gentle notification that reinforces your progress. FocusBubble is built around intentional use. Instead of forcing restrictions, the app encourages conscious decisions. By limiting access to high distraction apps, you create space for deeper focus, clearer thinking, and healthier digital habits. The deadline based system removes countdown pressure and supports committed focus periods. With motivational prompts and simple progress tracking, you stay consistent and strengthen your self discipline over time. Sessions can be ended manually if needed, because flexibility matters in real life. FocusBubble was created from personal experience with digital distraction and is designed to support long term focus, clarity, and balance in a world full of noise. FocusBubble offers optional auto-renewable subscriptions: • FocusBubble Premium Monthly – $1.99 per month • FocusBubble Premium Yearly – $12.99 per year • FocusBubble Lifetime – $29.99 (one-time purchase) Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://github.com/boazvdp/PRIVACYPOLICY Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Flash Reader

Features
Read full description

Flash Reader shows you one word at a time, right where your eyes already rest. No more hunting across lines — just read. Normal reading is mostly travel. Your eyes jump and dart several times a second, then double back to catch what they missed. Flash Reader holds each word still in a single line of sight, so focus is the only thing left to do. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT Most speed readers feel like a metronome. Flash Reader feels human. It eases through long sentences, breathes at punctuation, and lingers on complex words — so you comprehend what you read instead of racing past it. • One word at a time, fixed in place — your eyes stop hunting • Pacing that adapts to sentence length and word complexity • A focus point on every word to anchor your gaze • Three modes: Natural, Mechanical, and Meditative • Adjustable speed, from a gentle warm-up to a practiced pace READ WHAT YOU WANT • Import EPUB and PDF books • Paste in any text • Pull articles from the web by link • Two timeless works included to get you started QUIET BY DESIGN • No accounts, no sign-in • No ads, no subscriptions, no in-app purchases • No analytics, no tracking — your reading never leaves your device • A one-time purchase. That's all. SAVE WHAT STAYS WITH YOU Highlight any sentence as it passes and keep it in your own collection. Two themes to match the light — a true-black Slate and a clean Lab. Flash Reader is a calm, single-purpose tool for people who want to read more, with less friction. Read through a single line of sight.

Screenshots

FocusBubble4 screens
Flash Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: FocusBubble at Free against Flash Reader's $6.99. Flash Reader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

FocusBubble is free to download; Flash Reader costs $6.99 up front. FocusBubble sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Flash Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences Ā· 4 level
FocusBubble versus Flash Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusBubbleFlash Reader
PriceFree — better$6.99
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBoaz van der PotKaan SES

In-app purchases

3 purchases

FocusBubble

Subscriptions2
  • FocusBubble Premium Monthly$1.991 Month
  • FocusBubble Premium Yearly$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • FocusBubble Lifetime$29.99
None

Flash Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FocusBubble free?
FocusBubble is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Flash Reader free?
Flash Reader costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do FocusBubble or Flash Reader have ads?
Neither FocusBubble nor Flash Reader shows ads.

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