Speed Reader vs Strobe
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Speed Reader
Enhance your reading speed and comprehension with a scientifically-backed method that presents words one at a time. Import content from various sources, adjust your pace, and track your progress to finish your reading list faster.
- Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) technology
- Optimal Recognition Point (ORP) highlighting
- Adjustable reading speed (100-1000+ WPM)
- Import from clipboard, URLs, camera, and Share extension
- Safari extension for article extraction
- Progress tracking and bookmarks
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Read faster. Understand more. Finish that reading list. RSVP Reader uses scientifically-backed RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) technology to help you read 2-3x faster than traditional reading. Words appear one at a time at your chosen speed, eliminating eye movement and reducing subvocalization - the two biggest bottlenecks to reading speed. The secret? Optimal Recognition Point (ORP) highlighting. Each word is displayed with its focal point highlighted, exactly where your eye naturally wants to land. No training required. Just start reading. HOW IT WORKS 1) Import your content - Paste text, enter a URL, scan with your camera, or share from any app 2) Tap to start - Words flow one at a time at your chosen speed 3) Focus on the highlight - Keep your eyes fixed on the highlighted letter 4) Adjust as you go - Tap the WPM badge to speed up or slow down 5) Track your progress - Resume where you left off, anytime WHY RSVP READER? - Science-backed: Uses RSVP and ORP techniques proven to increase reading speed - Zero learning curve: Start reading faster from your first session - Works everywhere: Read articles, books, emails, documents, PDFs - anything with text - Beautiful design: Native iOS experience with Liquid Glass interface - Privacy-first: Imported reading content is saved on your device KEY FEATURES - Adjustable reading speed from 100 to 1000+ WPM - Optimal Recognition Point (ORP) highlighting for each word - Smart punctuation pauses at sentences and clauses - Import from clipboard, URLs, camera scanning, or Share extension - Safari extension for instant article extraction - Reading history with progress tracking - Bookmarks to save your place IMPORT FROM ANYWHERE - Safari Extension - Tap Share, select RSVP Reader, and speed read any webpage - Share Extension - Works with any app that has a Share button - URL Import - Paste a link and we extract the article text - Camera Scan - Point your camera at a book, document, or sign - Clipboard - Paste any text directly DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE Whether you're a student tackling textbooks, a professional keeping up with industry news, or a book lover working through your reading list - RSVP Reader helps you read more in less time. Start at 250-300 WPM and work your way up. Most users reach 500+ WPM within a few weeks. Some push beyond 800 WPM with practice. RSVP READER PRO Unlock the full RSVP Reader experience with Pro: - Unlimited reading sessions and library saves - Cruise Mode - scrolling highlighted text as a second reading mode - Import from X, Reddit, Medium, Substack, Hacker News, and more - PDF and document import - Custom fonts including OpenDyslexic for accessibility - Custom themes (Sepia, Midnight, OLED, and more) - Detailed stats, achievements, and reading streaks - Safari extension, camera scan, clipboard, and URL import - Bookmarks and resume reading Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions in your App Store account settings. PRIVACY & PERMISSIONS - Camera: Scan documents and printed text - Photos: Import images for text extraction (only when you choose a photo) - No account required - Imported reading content is saved locally - Anonymous analytics can be turned off in Settings Privacy Policy: https://rsvpreaderapp.site/privacy/ EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Focus your eyes. Free your mind. Read faster. Download RSVP Reader and transform how you consume text.
Strobe
This app enhances reading speed and focus with a clean interface for PDFs and EPUBs. It offers customizable reading speeds, font choices, and smooth navigation to reduce eye fatigue and improve comprehension.
- RSVP reading interface
- PDF and EPUB import
- Adjustable reading speed (100-1000 WPM)
- Customizable text size and fonts
- Hold-to-read interaction
- Automatic progress saving
- Chapter navigation
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Read faster. Stay focused. Keep your documents private. Strobe is a fast, focused speed reader for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP), Strobe presents text one word at a time so you can move through dense material without constantly scanning across the page. Import a PDF, EPUB, plain-text, or Markdown file, or paste text directly. Choose your pace from 100 to 1000 words per minute and start reading. BUILT FOR FOCUSED READING • RSVP speed reading — read one word at a time in a clean, distraction-free view • 100–1000 WPM — set the pace that works for you • Smart Timing — automatically gives longer words the extra time they need • Adaptive pacing — optional sentence pauses and cognitive-complexity timing help difficult text feel more natural • ORP highlighting — highlights each word’s Optimal Recognition Point to keep your eyes anchored • Hold or hands-free — hold to read and release to pause, or switch to tap-to-play reading • Live speed control — adjust your reading speed without losing your place • Passage view and search — see surrounding text, search for words or phrases, and jump directly to a result • Chapter navigation — move between chapters and track your progress • Resume automatically — Strobe remembers your position and reading settings • Flexible typography — choose from seven fonts and adjust text size • Keyboard controls — use Space, arrow keys, and Escape on Mac and iPad with a hardware keyboard IMPORT WHAT YOU ALREADY READ Strobe supports PDF, EPUB, plain-text, and Markdown files. You can also paste text directly for quick reading sessions. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your documents and reading progress stay on your device. Strobe requires no account, uses no cloud sync, and does not collect analytics or personal data. FREE AND OPEN SOURCE Strobe is free and open source, built for readers who want a fast, focused tool without accounts or tracking. Whether you’re studying, researching, working through long documents, or simply trying to get through your reading list faster, Strobe gives you precise control over how you read.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Strobe at 4.8 against Speed Reader's 4.1. Strobe also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 60%) and in-app purchases (none vs 9). Speed Reader's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Speed Reader sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Strobe asks for nothing beyond the download.
Strobe holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Speed Reader's written reviews are positive against 100% of Strobe's.
Speed Reader ships an update every 5 days, Strobe every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Speed Reader | Strobe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (13 ratings) | 4.8 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 85 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Amenti Labs LLC | Jaafar Abdeen |
Customer experience
Speed Reader
Strobe
In-app purchases
Speed Reader
- Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
- RSVP Reader Weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Pro Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
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- Pro Weekly$7.997 Days
- Pro Yearly Special Offer$29.991 Year
- Pro Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Pro Yearly$59.991 Year
- Pro Yearly3 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Pro Lifetime$119.00
Strobe
No in-app purchases





