Comparison

Throughline Speed Reader vs Absorb

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

Head to head
About

Throughline Speed Reader

Enhance your reading speed and comprehension with intelligent pacing that adapts to natural language rhythms. This app presents text one word at a time, optimizing focus and reducing eye movement for a more efficient reading experience. It also offers AI-powered summaries and seamless integration across Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Adaptive word-by-word pacing
  • Optimal Recognition Point (ORP) alignment
  • AI-generated summaries with key takeaways
  • Safari extension for saving articles
  • Apple Watch app for reading on the go
  • Detailed reading analytics dashboard
  • Customizable fonts and interface
Features
Read full description

Read articles and short documents on your iPhone or iPad. Throughline displays text one word at a time at a fixed focus point. Choose your speed, pause to browse nearby paragraphs, and resume where you stopped. Share web articles from Safari, paste copied text, or import TXT, PDF and DOCX files. Save reading items to your library and read saved text offline. The free reader includes a library of up to 10 items. Throughline Pro adds an unlimited library, advanced pacing controls, the Safari extension, reading analytics and Apple Watch reading. Pro also offers on-device summaries when Apple Intelligence is available for your device and language. The app interface is currently in English. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Absorb

Read full description

Absorb is the speed reading app that helps you read faster and also helps you figure out "what to read next." Read faster, discover curated books and short stories, and track your reading progress - all in one beautiful app. Unlike book trackers that just count what you read, absorb helps you read better. Unlike speed reading apps with no content, absorb gives you something to read. KEY FEATURES: CURATED DISCOVERY 1. Hand-picked short stories and books 2. Never wonder "what should I read" again 3. Perfect for when you finish a book and need something new 4. Fresh content added regularly SPEED READING 1. RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) technology 2. Read 2-3x faster with better comprehension 3. Adjustable speed from 100-1000+ words per minute 4. Instant speed reading for any document PDF & EPUB SUPPORT 1. Import any PDF or EPUB file 2. Speed read your own documents 3. Support for books, articles, papers, reports 4. Offline reading - no internet required READING PROGRESS 1. Track pages read, time spent, books finished 2. See your reading speed improvement over time 3. Set daily reading goals and build streaks 4. Beautiful reading statistics PERFECT FOR 1. Busy professionals who want to read more in less time 2. Students speed reading textbooks and papers 3. Book lovers who finish a book and ask "what's next?" 4. Anyone with a long reading list and limited time 5. People who abandon books because they don't know what to read WHY ABSORB Most reading apps fall into two categories: 1. Book trackers (Goodreads, Bookly) - They track what you read but don't help you read faster or discover new content. 2. Speed reading apps (Outread) - They help you read faster but give you nothing to read. Absorb is the only app that combines speed reading technology with curated content discovery. Read faster AND find your next great read. WHAT USERS SAY "Finally, an app that helps me read faster and tells me what to read next. Game changer." - Sarah M. "I've been using speed reading apps for years, but they were all empty shells. absorb gives me actual content." - David L. "The curated short stories are perfect for when I have 10 minutes to spare." - Jessica R. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose: Pick from our curated library or import your own PDF/EPUB 2. Read: Use RSVP speed reading or traditional scrolling 3. Track: See your progress, speed, and reading stats 4. Discover: When you finish, we suggest what to read next Download Absorb today and transform how you read. Privacy Policy: https://absorbspeedreader.app/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Throughline Speed Reader4 screens
Absorb4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Absorb at every 2 days against Throughline Speed Reader's every 6 weeks. Absorb also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Throughline Speed Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Absorb sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Throughline Speed Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, Absorb every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Throughline Speed Reader versus Absorb: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThroughline Speed ReaderAbsorb
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS26.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB66 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteven TownsendTanul Tewari

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Throughline Speed Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Throughline Pro - Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Throughline Pro - Annual$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Throughline Pro - Lifetime$29.99
3 purchases

Absorb

Subscriptions3
  • Absorb Pro Weekly$9.997 Days
  • Absorb Pro Monthly7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Absorb Pro Yearly7 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Throughline Speed Reader free?
Throughline Speed Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Absorb free?
Absorb is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Throughline Speed Reader or Absorb have ads?
Neither Throughline Speed Reader nor Absorb shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Throughline Speed Reader or Absorb?
Throughline Speed Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, and Absorb every 2 days. Most recently, Throughline Speed Reader was updated on October 31, 2026 and Absorb on October 28, 2026.

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