Comparison

SpeedyRead vs Simple Timer and Countdown

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

Head to head
About

SpeedyRead

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Read 3x faster - one word at a time. SpeedyRead uses RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) to present text word by word at a fixed focal point. Each word is positioned so the pivot letter - the character your brain uses for instant recognition - is highlighted in your chosen accent colour. Your eyes stay still. Your brain absorbs faster than ever. Thousands of readers have already discovered that speed reading isn't about skipping words - it's about removing the bottleneck that slows you down: eye movement. IMPORT FROM ANYWHERE - Scan any printed page with your camera - live OCR with torch support - Import PDFs, Word docs, ePubs, Markdown, HTML, and more - Paste any URL to extract just the article - no ads, no clutter - Open documents directly from the Files app - Use the Share Extension from Safari or any app SPEED CONTROL - Adjust your reading speed from 300 to 725 WPM - Tactile speed wheel with haptic feedback - Skip forward and backward instantly - Your position is saved automatically LISTEN ALONG - Hear each word spoken aloud in sync with the display - Adjustable audio speed from 50 to 450 WPM - Choose from multiple voices - Perfect for tired eyes, commutes, or multitasking DESIGNED FOR FOCUS - Minimalist dark and light modes - Five accent colour choices - Distraction-free, premium interface NEVER LOSE YOUR PLACE - Every reading session is saved automatically - Resume exactly where you left off - Track progress across all your documents WHO IS SPEEDYREAD FOR? - Students with heavy reading loads - Professionals drowning in reports and articles - Lifelong learners who want to read more books in less time - Anyone with a read later list that never gets shorter Start your 14-day free trial today and see how much more you can read. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://speedyread.app/privacy-policy

About

Simple Timer and Countdown

Features
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Simple Timer and Countdown helps you prepare for events by creating chains of countdown timers that are anchored to a single event time. Change the event once, all your timers update automatically. Set an event like "Flight at 17:00", then add offset timers: โ€ข "Pack bags" at -6 hours โ†’ triggers at 11:00 โ€ข "Leave house" at -4 hours โ†’ triggers at 13:00 โ€ข "Arrive at airport" at -2 hours โ†’ triggers at 15:00 Flight delayed to 18:00? Update once and every timer shifts automatically. Features: โ€ข Offset timers: Set timers relative to any event (before or after) โ€ข Auto-adjust: Change the event time and all timers recalculate instantly โ€ข Templates: Save and reuse timer chains for recurring events โ€ข Notifications: Get alerted at each step so nothing is forgotten โ€ข Widgets: See your next timer right on your Home Screen or Lock Screen โ€ข Calendar import: Pull events from your calendar and add timers to them โ€ข File sharing: Export and share timer chains with others Pro Unlock unlimited events, unlimited timers, calendar import, iCloud sharing, all widget sizes, and more with a one-time purchase. Perfect for flights, game days, presentations, workouts, meal prep, or any event where timing matters.

Screenshots

SpeedyRead4 screens
Simple Timer and Countdown3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Simple Timer and Countdown at none against SpeedyRead's shown. Simple Timer and Countdown also leads on device support (3 vs 1). SpeedyRead's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 7 months). On price, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. SpeedyRead sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month and Simple Timer and Countdown sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SpeedyRead ships an update weekly, Simple Timer and Countdown every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
SpeedyRead versus Simple Timer and Countdown: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpeedyReadSimple Timer and Countdown
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeekly โ€” betterEvery 7 months
AdsYesNo โ€” better
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch โ€” better
Requires iOS18.017.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size17 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJake RogersYannick Verhoeven

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SpeedyRead

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Premium14 Days trial$1.991 Month
1 purchases

Simple Timer and Countdown

One-time1
  • SimpleTimer Pro$4.99

Questions

Is SpeedyRead free?
SpeedyRead is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Simple Timer and Countdown free?
Simple Timer and Countdown is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SpeedyRead or Simple Timer and Countdown have ads?
SpeedyRead shows ads; Simple Timer and Countdown does not.
Which is updated more often, SpeedyRead or Simple Timer and Countdown?
SpeedyRead ships an update weekly, and Simple Timer and Countdown every 7 months. Most recently, SpeedyRead was updated on September 20, 2026 and Simple Timer and Countdown on September 27, 2026.

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