Comparison

FocalRead vs StudentBox

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

Head to head
About

FocalRead

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
Read full description

Stop wasting time reading slowly. FocalRead is a speed reading app and a full eBook + document reader. Import your files or articles from the web and save them to your Library, and read them with RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) to finish books, documents and web content in a fraction of the time. Supports PDF, EPUB, MOBI, TXT, DOCX, and AZW3 files (non-DRM only). THE PROBLEM WITH TRADITIONAL READING When you read normally, your eyes constantly move across lines, jump between words, and sometimes go back to re-read. That eye movement wastes time and causes fatigue. The average person reads around 200 WPM, but you can go much faster with the right technique. HOW FOCALREAD WORKS FocalRead displays one word at a time in a fixed position. Your eyes stay focused on a single point while words flow to you. No scanning. No constant eye movement. Just focused reading. Normal reading: ~200 WPM With FocalRead: 300 to 600+ WPM Advanced readers: up to 900 WPM That’s up to 3x faster than traditional reading. REAL TIME SAVINGS A typical 90,000-word book takes 7.5 hours at normal speed. At 600 WPM, you can finish in about 2.5 hours. That’s 5 hours saved on a single book. IMPORT AND READ YOUR FILES Use FocalRead as your daily reader. Import and keep everything inside the app: PDF documents EPUB eBooks* MOBI books* TXT files DOCX documents AZW3 files* *only if they are not DRM-protected You can also paste text from anywhere or read articles from the web. A READER BUILT FOR ORGANIZATION Save all books and documents to your Library Rename and organize your content Track progress and pick up where you left off Chapter navigation for EPUB books Reading history and sessions CUSTOMIZE YOUR READING EXPERIENCE Adjust speed from 100 to 1000+ WPM Choose standard, lowercase, or UPPERCASE text Select your preferred font style Smooth progress tracking while you read PERFECT FOR Students reading textbooks and study materials Professionals reviewing reports and documents Book lovers who want to read more Anyone who wants more learning in less time Start reading faster today with FocalRead. Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

StudentBox

Features
Read full description

Discover StudentBox – a modern platform that is revolutionizing the academic world. Thanks to the only integration in Poland with the USOS system, you get instant access to your grades and class schedule directly in the app. Looking for a career start or extra money? Browse job, internship, and placement offers that you can apply for with one quick click. StudentBox is also a convenient way to find a verified tutor or post your own offer to help others study. Be an informed student – rate lecturers and check others' opinions about their classes. Security is key, which is why we verify student status through the official USOS API or university email.

Screenshots

FocalRead4 screens
StudentBox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StudentBox at none against FocalRead's 9. FocalRead's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. FocalRead sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. StudentBox asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FocalRead ships an update weekly, StudentBox every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
FocalRead versus StudentBox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocalReadStudentBox
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (95 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings95 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size103 MB52 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperANDRES FELIPE SARRAZOLA VELEZStudentBox sp. z o.o.

In-app purchases

9 purchases

FocalRead

Subscriptions9
  • Pro Version (Weekly)$6.997 Days
  • Unlimited Weekly$6.997 Days
  • Unlimited Monthly$9.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Unlimited Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Unlimited Annual3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Unlimited Annual Plan3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited Annual3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Pro Version (Annual)3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Unlimited Annual Plan3 Days trial$39.991 Year
None

StudentBox

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FocalRead free?
FocalRead is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StudentBox free?
StudentBox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do FocalRead or StudentBox have ads?
StudentBox shows ads; FocalRead does not.
Which is updated more often, FocalRead or StudentBox?
FocalRead ships an update weekly, and StudentBox every 3 weeks. Most recently, FocalRead was updated on October 12, 2026 and StudentBox on October 10, 2026.

Other comparisons