Comparison

Throughline Speed Reader vs Linea 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

Linea Reader

Features
Read full description

Linea is a calm reading workspace for difficult material. Import PDFs, EPUBs, MOBI files, DOCX documents, Markdown, images, scans, and web pages. Read with thoughtful typography, highlight and annotate passages, listen from your current position, and ask questions without losing your place. Your library stays organized around the work in front of you. Resume where you stopped, move between chapters, and keep your reading progress together. Features: • Import documents and URLs • Read PDFs, ebooks, Markdown, and more • Highlight passages and add notes • Listen from your current reading position • Ask document-aware questions while reading or listening • Keep reading progress and annotations together • Choose from four reading palettes AI and your data: Linea uses AI only when you ask it to. It does not run your documents through AI in the background. Eligible signed-in Linea accounts can use Linea's rate-limited managed Ask without a personal API key: the question and relevant document context are processed by Linea, which may call an upstream model. For a user-owned cloud provider, Linea sends your question and relevant document context directly from your device to that provider using the API key you supplied; Linea's developer does not receive those direct-to-provider requests. When available and selected, on-device Apple Intelligence requests stay on your device. Linea is built for sustained attention: fewer distractions, better context, and a clear path back to the thread.

Screenshots

Throughline Speed Reader4 screens
Linea Reader3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Linea Reader at none against Throughline Speed Reader's 3. On price, update cadence, ads 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. Linea Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Throughline Speed Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, Linea Reader monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Throughline Speed Reader versus Linea Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThroughline Speed ReaderLinea Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.026.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB16 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSteven TownsendArach Tchoupani

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

Linea Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Throughline Speed Reader free?
Throughline Speed Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Linea Reader free?
Linea Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Throughline Speed Reader or Linea Reader have ads?
Neither Throughline Speed Reader nor Linea Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Throughline Speed Reader or Linea Reader?
Throughline Speed Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, and Linea Reader monthly. Most recently, Throughline Speed Reader was updated on September 23, 2026 and Linea Reader on September 26, 2026.

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