Comparison

Focal reading vs Speed Reading

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

Head to head
About

Focal reading

Features
Read full description

Read faster. Read more. Focal uses RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) technology to help you read 2-3x faster than traditional reading โ€” without losing comprehension. โ–  SPEED READING MODE Double-tap to activate speed reading. Words appear one at a time with the optimal focal point highlighted, eliminating eye movement and dramatically increasing your reading speed. Adjust from 200 to 1000+ words per minute. โ–  BEAUTIFUL EPUB READER Import your EPUB books and enjoy a distraction-free reading experience. Choose from 6 elegant themes including Dark, Light, Sepia, and more. Customize font size to your preference. โ–  TRACK YOUR PROGRESS โ€ข Daily reading goals to build consistency โ€ข Streak tracking to stay motivated โ€ข Weekly activity charts โ€ข Year-at-a-glance heat map โ€ข Total reading time and session stats โ–  ACHIEVEMENTS Unlock achievements as you build your reading habit. From your first book to 30-day streaks, celebrate every milestone. โ–  SLEEP TIMER Set a timer and let Focal pause automatically โ€” perfect for reading before bed. โ–  PRIVACY FIRST All your data stays on your device. No accounts, no tracking, no ads. Whether you're a student tackling textbooks, a professional keeping up with industry reading, or a book lover who wants to read more โ€” Focal helps you make the most of your reading time. Start reading smarter today.

About

Speed Reading

Read full description

Speed Reading is a transparent offline tool for reading books and training speed reading skills. Created for those who want to read faster and more effectively: - Free app - No subscriptions - No ads - No account registration - No analytics trackers - Works completely offline - All data is stored locally on your iPhone FORMAT SUPPORT AND LIBRARY Import books and articles to keep them in one place: - Support for .epub, .fb2, and .txt formats - Fast file parsing and unpacking - Smart text cleaning from unnecessary tags and "junk" - Automatic detection of metadata and covers SPEED READING MODE (RSVP) Master the Rapid Serial Visual Presentation method: - Attention focus (ORP): highlighting the optimal recognition point in the word in red. - Flexible speed setting (WPM): from a comfortable pace to professional speeds. - Smart pauses: the algorithm automatically slows down at punctuation marks and difficult words for better context understanding. - Navigation: fast rewind and forward by words. CLASSIC MODE (PAGES) For thoughtful and comfortable reading: - Full typography customization: choice of font, size, line spacing, and letter spacing. - Margin and indent settings to your taste. - Natural pagination. - Instant switch to speed reading mode with a double tap on any word. STATISTICS AND PROGRESS Track real metrics, not just feelings: - Count of words read and time (for today and all time). - Calculation of real average reading speed (WPM). - Visualization of reading progress for each book. - Estimation of remaining time to finish the book. PRIVACY BY DESIGN Your entire library, settings, and statistics are stored exclusively on your device. Speed Reading does not require account creation, does not upload your books to cloud servers, and does not transfer data to third parties.

Screenshots

Focal reading4 screens
Speed Reading4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Speed Reading at Free against Focal reading's $0.99. Focal reading's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads and in-app purchases 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

Speed Reading is free to download; Focal reading costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focal reading ships an update every 3 days, Speed Reading every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences ยท 2 level
Focal reading versus Speed Reading: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocal readingSpeed Reading
Price$0.99Free โ€” better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days โ€” betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 โ€” better17.6
Further details โ€” not scored
Size42 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCarlos Domingo morillasXeniya Bykhova

In-app purchases

None

Focal reading

No in-app purchases

None

Speed Reading

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Focal reading free?
Focal reading costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Speed Reading free?
Speed Reading is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Focal reading or Speed Reading have ads?
Neither Focal reading nor Speed Reading shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Focal reading or Speed Reading?
Focal reading ships an update every 3 days, and Speed Reading every 2 months. Most recently, Focal reading was updated on October 31, 2026 and Speed Reading on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons