# FocusWord vs Synapse

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Synapse at 13.0 against FocusWord's 17.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

FocusWord ships an update weekly, Synapse every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FocusWord | Synapse |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focusword-rsvp-reader/id6759690430/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 8 days |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 8 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Marcelo Alves](https://appshunter.io/developer/1880221783) | [Ismael Hernandez](https://appshunter.io/developer/6776716313) |

## What reviewers say

### FocusWord

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focusword-rsvp-reader/id6759690430)

This app presents books one word at a time on a dark screen, optimizing word placement for recognition. It offers adjustable reading speeds and smart pausing at sentence boundaries to minimize distractions and enhance focus, making reading a more immersive experience.

**Highlights:** One-word-at-a-time reading, Smart Slowing for sentence pauses, Adjustable WPM speed control, EPUB import and parsing, Chapter navigation and progress tracking, ADHD-friendly design, Accessibility features

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Synapse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synapse-connect-your-ideas/id6776716311)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FocusWord free?

FocusWord is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Synapse free?

Synapse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do FocusWord or Synapse have ads?

Neither FocusWord nor Synapse shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FocusWord or Synapse?

FocusWord ships an update weekly, and Synapse every 8 days. Most recently, FocusWord was updated on October 31, 2026 and Synapse on October 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*