Comparison

Flash Reader FR vs Focal

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

Head to head
About

Flash Reader FR

Enhance reading speed and comprehension using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP). Import documents, paste text, or fetch articles from the web. Customize reading experience with adjustable speeds, themes, and breaks.

Highlights
  • RSVP speed reading
  • Import EPUB, PDF, DOCX, and web articles
  • Adjustable speed up to 1500 WPM
  • Safe Ramp mode for gradual speed increase
  • Full-text view alongside RSVP
  • Customizable themes and blink breaks
  • Reading statistics and history tracking
Features
Read full description

Read faster with RSVP speed reading. Flash Reader FR uses Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) to display words one at a time, eliminating eye movement and helping you read up to 3x faster without losing comprehension. IMPORT YOUR WAY Bring in content from EPUB, PDF, and Word (DOCX) documents, paste text directly, or fetch articles from any web URL. Large imports run in the background with progress tracking, so the app never freezes while you wait. READ YOUR WAY - Adjustable speed up to 1500 words per minute - Safe Ramp mode eases you into a session at a comfortable pace instead of jumping straight to full speed - Full-text view lets you read your document as normal scrollable text alongside RSVP mode, with your current position highlighted - Dark, Light, Sepia, and Night themes for comfortable reading in any lighting - Customizable blink breaks to reduce eye strain during long sessions STAY ORGANIZED - Multi-select and bulk delete documents from your library - Rename documents right from your library - Bookmark your place and search within any document - Track your reading stats, streaks, and history over time CHOOSE YOUR PLAN Flash Reader FR is free to start. Upgrade to Premium for full EPUB, PDF, and DOCX import, URL import, 1500 WPM speed, premium themes, blink break customization, and full statistics. Premium is available as a Monthly subscription, a Yearly subscription, or a one-time Lifetime purchase, whatever fits how you read. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Focal

This reading app offers multiple modes to enhance focus and reduce eye strain. It supports PDF and EPUB files with adjustable speeds and customizable backgrounds for a distraction-free experience.

Highlights
  • Multiple reading modes (RSVP, Sentence, Page)
  • Adjustable reading speed (WPM)
  • Natural pacing with punctuation pauses
  • PDF and EPUB library support
  • Reading progress memory
  • Bookmarks
  • Customizable backgrounds and themes
Features
Read full description

Focal is a reading app designed to help you stay focused, reduce visual fatigue, and move through texts more comfortably. Switch instantly between three reading modes depending on how you want to read: • Focal Mode — display words one at a time in a guided RSVP reading format • Sentence Mode — swipe or play through sentences one at a time in a polished, easy to read format • Page Mode — read fully paginated text with clean typography • Original PDF Mode — view the source document exactly as published Built for both long reading sessions and everyday reading, Focal supports PDF and EPUB files with a smooth, distraction-free interface. Features include: • Adjustable reading speed (WPM control) • Natural pacing with pauses at punctuation • Auto-pause at paragraph and page boundaries • PDF and EPUB library support • Reading progress memory • Bookmarks • Custom reading backgrounds • Light and dark visual themes • Fast switching between reading modes • No ads or signup Whether you're reading textbooks, articles, novels, or long documents, Focal helps you stay immersed in the text. Designed for readers who want more control, less distraction, and a better reading experience. Terms of Use: https://jessemeissner1.github.io/focal.github.io/terms.html

Screenshots

Flash Reader FR4 screens
Focal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Focal at free against Flash Reader FR's freemium. Focal also leads on ratings volume (3 vs 1). Flash Reader FR's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 days). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. Flash Reader FR sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Focal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Flash Reader FR against 5.0 for Focal. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Flash Reader FR ships an update every 2 days, Focal every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Flash Reader FR versus Focal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFlash Reader FRFocal
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOTTO GUTIERREZJesse Meissner

Customer experience

Flash Reader FR

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Focal

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Flash Reader FR

Subscriptions2
  • FocusReader Premium Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • FocusReader Premium Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Flash Reader FR$49.99
2 purchases

Focal

Subscriptions1
  • Focal Monthly$2.991 Month
One-time1
  • Focal Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is Flash Reader FR free?
Flash Reader FR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focal free?
Focal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Flash Reader FR or Focal?
Flash Reader FR and Focal are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do Flash Reader FR or Focal have ads?
Neither Flash Reader FR nor Focal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Flash Reader FR or Focal?
Flash Reader FR ships an update every 2 days, and Focal every 4 days. Most recently, Flash Reader FR was updated on October 31, 2026 and Focal on October 31, 2026.

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