Comparison

Readup vs FlowSpeedReader

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

Head to head
About

Readup

This app transforms how you read PDFs by presenting text sentence by sentence in a vertical scrolling format. It offers a distraction-free environment, smart quote collection, and automatic progress tracking for a more engaging and focused reading experience.

Highlights
  • Sentence-by-sentence vertical scrolling
  • Personal PDF library with cover previews
  • Smart quote collection via double-tap
  • Automatic progress tracking
  • Distraction-free reading interface
  • Customizable reading controls
Features
Read full description

Revolutionize Your Reading Experience Readup reimagines how you consume written content by breaking down your PDFs into bite-sized, focused sentences. Experience the addictive, TikTok-style vertical scrolling that makes reading more engaging and helps you retain information better. Key Features: Personal PDF Library Import and organize all your PDFs in one beautiful, purple-themed interface. Your books display with stunning cover previews and reading progress tracking. Revolutionary Reading Mode Swipe through your books sentence by sentence with our innovative vertical scroll design. Each sentence gets your full attention, improving comprehension and focus. Smart Quote Collection Double-tap any sentence to instantly save it to your personal quotes collection. Build your own library of wisdom, insights, and memorable passages. Automatic Progress Tracking Never lose your place again. Readup remembers exactly where you stopped, down to the specific sentence, across all your books. Distraction-Free Design Minimalist black reading interface with customizable controls. Tap to hide everything except the words that matter.

About

FlowSpeedReader

Enhance your reading speed and comprehension with this app that uses Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP). Import text from various sources, customize themes and fonts, and utilize text-to-speech. Features eye tracking and a focus timer for an optimized reading experience.

Highlights
  • Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP)
  • Import text from URLs, files, and camera OCR
  • Text-to-Speech (TTS) with multi-language support
  • Eye tracking for automatic pausing
  • Pomodoro-style focus timer
  • Detailed reading statistics
  • Customizable themes and fonts
Features
Read full description

FlowSpeedReader is a powerful speed reading app that uses Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) to help you consume text faster than ever before. Whether you're a student, professional, or avid reader, FlowSpeedReader trains your brain to process words at incredible speeds — all while maintaining comprehension. HOW IT WORKS RSVP displays one word (or a group of words) at a time in a fixed position, eliminating the eye movements (saccades) that waste up to 30% of traditional reading time. Your brain focuses purely on processing meaning. Research shows comprehension remains high even above 500 WPM. IMPORT ANYTHING • Paste or type text directly • Import from Safari using the Share Sheet extension • Fetch and extract articles from any URL • Import files: PDF, DOCX, TXT, RTF, Pages, CSV • Scan physical documents with Camera OCR • Load from clipboard (text or URLs) BEAUTIFUL THEMES & FONTS Choose from multiple gorgeous themes — including dark mode variants — and select from 8 premium fonts. FlowSpeedReader looks stunning and feels great to use. TEXT-TO-SPEECH (TTS) Listen while you read. FlowSpeedReader features a full TTS engine with: • Multi-language support (Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi, Urdu, and more) • Automatic language detection • Multiple voice options per language (Standard, Enhanced, Premium) • Synchronized word highlighting during audio playback EYE TRACKING (iPhone X and later) FlowSpeedReader uses the TrueDepth camera to detect when you look away and automatically pauses your reading session. Configurable sensitivity, pause delay, and auto-resume keep you in the zone. FOCUS TIMER (POMODORO) Stay productive with built-in Pomodoro-style focus sessions. Set custom focus and break durations, and let the app manage your reading schedule. READING STATISTICS Track your progress with detailed stats: words read, sessions completed, reading streaks, and more. Visualize your improvement over time. MORE FEATURES • Adjustable reading speed: 100 – 1000+ WPM • Read 1, 2, or 3 words at a time • Interactive progress bar with scrubbing • Context scroll view — see surrounding text and tap to jump • Haptic feedback at sentence boundaries • Live Activities on Lock Screen • Full-text editor built in • Reading history — resume past sessions • Landscape and iPad adaptive layouts • Volume button controls for speed or navigation • Right-to-left language support • Safari Share Extension for one-tap import FlowSpeedReader is the ultimate reading companion. Download now and unlock your full reading potential.

Screenshots

Readup3 screens
FlowSpeedReader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Readup at none against FlowSpeedReader's shown. Readup also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Readup against 5.0 for FlowSpeedReader. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 12 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Readup versus FlowSpeedReader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReadupFlowSpeedReader
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings)5.0 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings512 — better
Update frequency—Every 6 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGabriel MaraisBesufekad Mekuria

Customer experience

Readup

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

FlowSpeedReader

All ratings12 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Readup

No in-app purchases

None

FlowSpeedReader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Readup free?
Readup is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FlowSpeedReader free?
FlowSpeedReader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Readup or FlowSpeedReader?
Readup and FlowSpeedReader are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 5 and 12 ratings respectively.
Do Readup or FlowSpeedReader have ads?
FlowSpeedReader shows ads; Readup does not.

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