Comparison

Speed Reader vs Strobe

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

Speed read your own books and documents, one word at a time. No ads, no subscription, no account. Strobe is a speed reading app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It uses Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP): each word appears in the same spot on screen, so your eyes stay still instead of scanning across lines. Import a PDF, EPUB, plain-text, or Markdown file, or paste an article, then read at 100 to 1,000 words per minute. HOLD TO READ • Press and hold to read. Let go to pause. • Slide up or down while you read to change speed without losing your place. • Swipe sideways while paused to step word by word. • Prefer hands-free? Switch to tap to play. TIMING THAT FOLLOWS THE TEXT • Smart Timing keeps longer words on screen a little longer. • Punctuation Pauses slow down at sentence ends, commas, dashes, ellipses, and closing quotes, and you set the length of each. • Complexity Timing speeds up common words and slows down rare ones. • Acronyms and hyphenated words get extra time automatically. • Blank After Sentences adds an optional moment of empty screen between sentences. A FIXED POINT FOR YOUR EYES • Each word lines up on a red focus letter, its Optimal Recognition Point (ORP). • Show the previous and next words faintly on either side. • An open quote or parenthesis stays faintly above the word until it closes. YOUR LIBRARY • Every document gets a cover, and Continue Reading takes you back to your exact word. • EPUB tables of contents and PDF bookmarks become chapters, each with its reading time at your speed. • Open the full text with your place highlighted, search for any word or phrase, and tap a word to resume from there. • Page numbers, running headers, and footers are removed on import. • Chinese, Japanese, and Korean text is split into words, and Arabic keeps its connected letterforms. MAKE IT YOURS • Seven fonts, adjustable text size, and four text colors. • A true black background for OLED screens and reading in the dark. • Every document remembers its own speed. • Keyboard shortcuts on Mac and iPad: Space to read, arrow keys to step, ⌘N for new text, ⌘O to import. • Works with VoiceOver, Larger Text, and Reduced Motion. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your documents and reading progress stay on your device. Strobe needs no account and has no ads, analytics, or tracking. FREE AND OPEN SOURCE Strobe is free, with no subscription or in-app purchases. The source code is public on GitHub under the Apache 2.0 license. Strobe can't import DRM-protected EPUBs or password-protected PDFs.

Screenshots

Speed Reader4 screens
Strobe4 screens

Verdict

The call

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). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Speed Reader sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Strobe asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Speed Reader ships an update every 5 days, Strobe weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Speed Reader versus Strobe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpeed ReaderStrobe
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (13 ratings)4.8 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings13 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAmenti Labs LLCJaafar Abdeen

Customer experience

Speed Reader

All ratings13 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral15.4%
Negative15.4%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral30.0%
Negative10.0%

Strobe

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

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Speed Reader

Subscriptions8
  • Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • RSVP Reader Weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Pro Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • 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
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$119.00
None

Strobe

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Speed Reader free?
Speed Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Strobe free?
Strobe is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Speed Reader or Strobe?
Strobe is rated higher. Speed Reader averages 4.1 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Strobe averages 4.8 from 5 ratings.
Do Speed Reader or Strobe have ads?
Neither Speed Reader nor Strobe shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Speed Reader or Strobe?
Speed Reader ships an update every 5 days, and Strobe weekly. Most recently, Speed Reader was updated on September 26, 2026 and Strobe on September 30, 2026.

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