Comparison

Throughline Speed Reader vs Tiny Reader

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 faster while comprehending more. Throughline presents text one word at a time with intelligent pacing that adapts to natural language rhythms. VARIABLE PACING ENGINE Unlike basic RSVP readers that show every word for the same duration, Throughline adjusts timing dynamically: • Punctuation creates natural pauses — longer at periods, brief at commas • Complex words get extra display time • Paragraph breaks give you time to absorb ideas • Not fixed-interval timing — pacing adapts continuously word by word ORP ALIGNMENT Each word displays with its Optimal Recognition Point at a fixed position on screen: • Your eyes never move — words come to you • The red pivot letter marks the optimal focus point • Eliminates the saccadic jumps that slow traditional reading • Find your ideal reading pace and keep pushing further WARMUP & COOLDOWN • Start each session at a comfortable pace • Gradually accelerate to your target speed • Cooldown ramp slows gently at the end of texts • Circular toolbar gauge shows ramp progress during warmup and cooldown • Configurable duration and intensity APPLE INTELLIGENCE • Generate summaries with key takeaways and topics • All processing happens on-device • No data sent to servers • Available on devices supporting Apple Intelligence READING MODES • Single Word: Classic RSVP with full focus • Reader: See surrounding context as you read • Double-tap to switch modes BROWSING PANEL • Open Browse as an inline drawer beside the minimap • Preview nearby paragraphs for context without leaving the reader • Jump to the section you want, then resume at speed SIRI & SHORTCUTS • Voice: "Read clipboard in Throughline" — speed read copied text • Voice: "Resume reading in Throughline" — pick up where you left off • Voice: "Reading stats in Throughline" — hear your stats hands-free • Shortcuts app: Build automations with Read Text, Read Clipboard, and more • Home Screen widgets show current reading progress • Lock Screen widgets with circular gauge, progress bar, or inline text • Widget accent color matches your reader theme SAFARI EXTENSION • Save articles to your reading queue directly from Safari • One tap — no copying or pasting needed • Works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac APPLE WATCH • Read articles on your wrist with intelligent pacing • Digital Crown adjusts reading speed with haptic steps • Articles under 3,000 words sync automatically • Session progress syncs back to iPhone • Watch face complications show your queue ANALYTICS DASHBOARD • Track words per minute over time • See total words read and sessions completed • Calculate time saved vs. average readers • Weekly activity visualization • View stats by week, month, year, or all time LIBRARY MANAGEMENT • Auto-save everything you read • Or read ephemerally with no storage • Two tabs: Reading (queue + in progress) and Archive • Sort by date, title, word count, or progress • Resume exactly where you left off CUSTOMIZABLE INTERFACE • Serif, sans-serif, and monospace fonts • Adjustable font sizes with Dynamic Type support • Custom pivot color selection • Multiple background themes • Rails and ORP indicator toggles THROUGHLINE PRO • Free tier includes the core reader, 3 fonts, 3 backgrounds, and 10 library items • Pro unlocks all fonts, colors, backgrounds, unlimited library, analytics, iCloud sync, Apple Watch, AI summaries, and advanced pacing controls • Monthly, annual, and lifetime plans available • Family Sharing supported DESIGNED FOR iOS • Native SwiftUI with modern toolbar design • Full VoiceOver accessibility • Respects Reduce Motion preferences • Dark mode throughout • iPad optimized PRIVACY FIRST • All reading happens on-device • No account required • No data transmitted • Your reading stays private Start reading faster today. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Tiny Reader

Features
Read full description

Tiny Reader is a reading app for anyone who finds it hard to focus on a page. Instead of a wall of text, it shows just one to three sentences at a time. There's less to face, so it's easier to begin — and easier to keep going. It's built for adults getting back into reading, or reading more comfortably than a phone usually allows. WHAT IT DOES - Shows a sentence or two at a time, at a pace you control - Simple navigation — tap the edges or use the buttons - Bookmark any moment and jump back in a tap - A progress slider to move through a book quickly - Three calm reading themes — Paper, Sepia, and Night - Adjustable text size PRIVATE BY DESIGN Tiny Reader works entirely on your device. Once a book is imported, the app makes no network calls — you can read in airplane mode. There are no accounts, no analytics, no tracking, and no ads. Your books, bookmarks, and settings never leave your device. BRING YOUR OWN BOOKS Import your own DRM-free EPUB files. A sample book is included so you can start reading right away. No sign-up. No distractions. Just reading.

Screenshots

Throughline Speed Reader4 screens
Tiny Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tiny Reader at none against Throughline Speed Reader's 3. Tiny Reader also leads on iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). Throughline Speed Reader's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price 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. Throughline Speed Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Tiny Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Throughline Speed Reader versus Tiny Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThroughline Speed ReaderTiny Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteven TownsendHarsh Jain

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
None

Tiny Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Throughline Speed Reader free?
Throughline Speed Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tiny Reader free?
Tiny Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Throughline Speed Reader or Tiny Reader have ads?
Neither Throughline Speed Reader nor Tiny Reader shows ads.

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