Comparison

Read Fast vs FlowSpeedReader

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

Head to head
About

Read Fast

This app helps you read faster by displaying words sequentially in the center of the screen, reducing subvocalization and improving focus. It supports various file formats and tracks your reading progress to build a consistent habit.

Highlights
  • Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) engine
  • Breaks subvocalization bottleneck
  • Import EPUB, PDF, TXT, and pasted text
  • Track daily streaks and WPM
  • Reduces eye fatigue
  • Local device processing for privacy
Features
Read full description

STOP READING. START ABSORBING. Most people read at about the same speed they speak. The reason is subvocalization: the small inner voice that sounds out every word. Absorb is built to break that bottleneck and change how you move through text. Absorb uses an advanced Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) engine. Instead of making your eyes scan back and forth across a page, it shows words one after another in the same spot and highlights each word's Optimal Recognition Point. Your gaze stays centered, your focus stays locked, and text moves straight into visual processing. WHY READERS USE ABSORB STEADY FOCUS: The rapid display leaves less room for wandering attention and helps you enter a steady reading flow. BUILD THE HABIT: Track daily streaks, average WPM, reading time, and progress so speed becomes something you can actually train. BRING YOUR OWN BOOKS: Import EPUB, PDF, TXT, and pasted text from your device. LESS EYE FATIGUE: Stop losing your place. Sit back, watch the center, and let the book come to you. PRIVATE BY DESIGN: Processing happens locally on your device. Your files and reading data do not leave your phone. Absorb offers monthly access and a one-time Lifetime unlock. Full access requires a subscription or Lifetime unlock. Download Absorb, import your first book, and finish it tonight. Terms: https://absorb-app-ncmw.onrender.com/terms.html

About

FlowSpeedReader

Enhance your reading speed and comprehension with this app that uses Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP). Import text from various sources, customize themes and fonts, and utilize text-to-speech. Features eye tracking and a focus timer for an optimized reading experience.

Highlights
  • Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP)
  • Import text from URLs, files, and camera OCR
  • Text-to-Speech (TTS) with multi-language support
  • Eye tracking for automatic pausing
  • Pomodoro-style focus timer
  • Detailed reading statistics
  • Customizable themes and fonts
Features
Read full description

FlowSpeedReader is a powerful speed reading app that uses Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) to help you consume text faster than ever before. Whether you're a student, professional, or avid reader, FlowSpeedReader trains your brain to process words at incredible speeds — all while maintaining comprehension. HOW IT WORKS RSVP displays one word (or a group of words) at a time in a fixed position, eliminating the eye movements (saccades) that waste up to 30% of traditional reading time. Your brain focuses purely on processing meaning. Research shows comprehension remains high even above 500 WPM. IMPORT ANYTHING • Paste or type text directly • Import from Safari using the Share Sheet extension • Fetch and extract articles from any URL • Import files: PDF, DOCX, TXT, RTF, Pages, CSV • Scan physical documents with Camera OCR • Load from clipboard (text or URLs) BEAUTIFUL THEMES & FONTS Choose from multiple gorgeous themes — including dark mode variants — and select from 8 premium fonts. FlowSpeedReader looks stunning and feels great to use. TEXT-TO-SPEECH (TTS) Listen while you read. FlowSpeedReader features a full TTS engine with: • Multi-language support (Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi, Urdu, and more) • Automatic language detection • Multiple voice options per language (Standard, Enhanced, Premium) • Synchronized word highlighting during audio playback EYE TRACKING (iPhone X and later) FlowSpeedReader uses the TrueDepth camera to detect when you look away and automatically pauses your reading session. Configurable sensitivity, pause delay, and auto-resume keep you in the zone. FOCUS TIMER (POMODORO) Stay productive with built-in Pomodoro-style focus sessions. Set custom focus and break durations, and let the app manage your reading schedule. READING STATISTICS Track your progress with detailed stats: words read, sessions completed, reading streaks, and more. Visualize your improvement over time. MORE FEATURES • Adjustable reading speed: 100 – 1000+ WPM • Read 1, 2, or 3 words at a time • Interactive progress bar with scrubbing • Context scroll view — see surrounding text and tap to jump • Haptic feedback at sentence boundaries • Live Activities on Lock Screen • Full-text editor built in • Reading history — resume past sessions • Landscape and iPad adaptive layouts • Volume button controls for speed or navigation • Right-to-left language support • Safari Share Extension for one-tap import FlowSpeedReader is the ultimate reading companion. Download now and unlock your full reading potential.

Screenshots

Read Fast4 screens
FlowSpeedReader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FlowSpeedReader at none against Read Fast's 3. FlowSpeedReader also leads on ratings volume (13 vs 2). Read Fast's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 days). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. Read Fast sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. FlowSpeedReader asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Read Fast against 5.0 for FlowSpeedReader. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FlowSpeedReader has 13 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Read Fast ships an update every 2 days, FlowSpeedReader every 6 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Read Fast versus FlowSpeedReader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRead FastFlowSpeedReader
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings213 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 6 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size164 MB9 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMaksym HoroszczakBesufekad Mekuria

Customer experience

Read Fast

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

FlowSpeedReader

All ratings12 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Read Fast

Subscriptions2
  • Absorb$4.991 Month
  • Absorb Pro Annual7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Absorb Pro Lifetime$69.99
None

FlowSpeedReader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Read Fast free?
Read Fast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FlowSpeedReader free?
FlowSpeedReader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Read Fast or FlowSpeedReader?
Read Fast and FlowSpeedReader are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 13 ratings respectively.
Do Read Fast or FlowSpeedReader have ads?
FlowSpeedReader shows ads; Read Fast does not.
Which is updated more often, Read Fast or FlowSpeedReader?
Read Fast ships an update every 2 days, and FlowSpeedReader every 6 days. Most recently, Read Fast was updated on October 31, 2026 and FlowSpeedReader on October 31, 2026.

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