Comparison

Noctua vs Anchor Reader

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

Head to head
About

Noctua

Features
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Noctua is a calm reading companion designed to help you focus, track your progress, and build a lasting reading habit. Instead of rushing through pages, Noctua encourages focused reading sessions. Start a session, read at your own pace, and finish when you’re done. Based on how much you read and how long you stay focused, Noctua estimates when you’ll finish your book — using your real reading rhythm, not guesses. When you’re unsure what to read next, Noctua helps you decide with thoughtful guidance, turning choice into clarity instead of noise. You can track your reading progress, understand your habits over time, and stay present with tools designed to reduce distractions. Everything is built with simplicity, intention, and privacy in mind. Noctua isn’t about reading more books. It’s about reading better.

About

Anchor Reader

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Unleash your reading potential with Anchor Reader! Have too much to read and not enough time? Discover Anchor Reader, the revolutionary speed•reading app based on the scientific RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) method. By displaying words one by one in the center of your screen, Anchor Reader eliminates subvocalization and unnecessary eye movements. The result: you can read up to 3 times faster while improving your concentration and retention! Ideal for students, busy professionals, book lovers, or anyone looking to improve their focus. WHY CHOOSE ANCHOR READER? • Massive time savings: Read books, articles, and documents in record time. • Zero distractions: The RSVP method forces your brain to stay focused on the present moment. • Total customization: Adjust the reading speed (WPM • words per minute) to your pace, from beginner to speed•reading expert. YOUR UNIVERSAL LIBRARY • Supported formats: Easily import your own PDF, EPUB, and classic text files. • Smart progress tracking: Pick up exactly where you left off. Even better: see at a glance the exact reading time you have left to devour the end of your book! A PREMIUM VISUAL EXPERIENCE Enjoy a beautiful and restful interface with 3 dynamic themes designed to reduce eye strain: • Light: Clear, clean, and perfect for the day. • Dusk: A modern and elegant bluish theme (Glass effect). • Midnight: A pure OLED black with yellow accents, ideal for protecting your eyes during night reading sessions. ANCHOR UNLIMITED (PREMIUM) Test the app through an included free demo, with no need to enter a credit card. Ready to shift into high gear? Unlock your brain's full potential with Anchor Unlimited: • Unlimited reading speed (unlock extreme speeds!). • Unlimited document imports. • Unrestricted reading time. Ready to transform the way you read? Download Anchor Reader today and start devouring your books and documents at the speed of light! Terms of Use (EULA): https://alexandre-dpr.github.io/anchor-reader/terms Privacy Policy: https://alexandre-dpr.github.io/anchor-reader/privacy

Screenshots

Noctua4 screens
Anchor Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Noctua at every 5 days against Anchor Reader's every 5 weeks. Anchor Reader's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.6). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Noctua ships an update every 5 days, Anchor Reader every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Noctua versus Anchor Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNoctuaAnchor Reader
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeonardo MelegariAlexandre Dupre

In-app purchases

None

Noctua

No in-app purchases

None

Anchor Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Noctua free?
Noctua is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Anchor Reader free?
Anchor Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Noctua or Anchor Reader have ads?
Neither Noctua nor Anchor Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Noctua or Anchor Reader?
Noctua ships an update every 5 days, and Anchor Reader every 5 weeks. Most recently, Noctua was updated on October 7, 2026 and Anchor Reader on October 25, 2026.

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