Comparison

Focal vs PageFlow

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

Head to head
About

Focal

This reading app offers multiple modes to enhance focus and reduce eye strain. It supports PDF and EPUB files with adjustable speeds and customizable backgrounds for a distraction-free experience.

Highlights
  • Multiple reading modes (RSVP, Sentence, Page)
  • Adjustable reading speed (WPM)
  • Natural pacing with punctuation pauses
  • PDF and EPUB library support
  • Reading progress memory
  • Bookmarks
  • Customizable backgrounds and themes
Features
Read full description

Focal is a reading app designed to help you stay focused, reduce visual fatigue, and move through texts more comfortably. Switch instantly between three reading modes depending on how you want to read: • Focal Mode — display words one at a time in a guided RSVP reading format • Sentence Mode — swipe or play through sentences one at a time in a polished, easy to read format • Page Mode — read fully paginated text with clean typography • Original PDF Mode — view the source document exactly as published Built for both long reading sessions and everyday reading, Focal supports PDF and EPUB files with a smooth, distraction-free interface. Features include: • Adjustable reading speed (WPM control) • Natural pacing with pauses at punctuation • Auto-pause at paragraph and page boundaries • PDF and EPUB library support • Reading progress memory • Bookmarks • Custom reading backgrounds • Light and dark visual themes • Fast switching between reading modes • No ads or signup Whether you're reading textbooks, articles, novels, or long documents, Focal helps you stay immersed in the text. Designed for readers who want more control, less distraction, and a better reading experience. Terms of Use: https://jessemeissner1.github.io/focal.github.io/terms.html

About

PageFlow

Features
Read full description

Your books. Your rhythm. Your ideas. PageFlow brings your reading routine together: organize your books, make time to read, keep what matters and watch your progress take shape. For physical books and your own PDF and EPUB files. READ WITH FOCUS Start a sprint, follow the timer, pause when needed and log your pages at the end. Premium adds flexible durations, timer modes, ambient sounds and focus themes. FIND YOUR RHYTHM Set daily and weekly goals in minutes. Follow your week, reading streak, charts, calendar and monthly reports. The Book Meter brings together the books you have finished. ORGANIZE YOUR LIBRARY Add books manually or search book catalogs. Use statuses, categories and collections, track pages and return to your current book. Link your own documents to read inside the app. PageFlow does not include ebooks to download. KEEP YOUR IDEAS Capture ideas, quotes, characters and questions while reading. Browse memories from a book and revisit your notes. Premium unlocks the complete memory library, with search and filters across books. READ IN GOOD COMPANY Community is free, optional and restricted to adults aged 18 and over. Find friends by @username, share reflections and memories you choose, like and comment. Posts are for friends by default; you decide when to share with the community. Join reading rankings and follow your submissions and in-app notifications. Your library and private memories are never published automatically. START FREE The free plan includes one active book, 10-minute sprints and the last 14 days of personal sprint history. PAGEFLOW PREMIUM Unlock unlimited active books, flexible sprints, advanced focus controls, full history, the complete memory library, report exports and reading-record synchronization across devices. Weekly and annual subscriptions are subject to store availability. Price, period and terms are shown before confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled in your store settings. Interface in English, Portuguese, German and French. Sign in with Google or Apple, set up reminders and manage your account in Settings. Community and synchronization require a connection; local reading and your own drafts remain available offline. Support: https://pageflow.site/support Privacy: https://pageflow.site/privacy Terms: https://pageflow.site/terms EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Focal4 screens
PageFlow4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Focal at every 4 days against PageFlow's monthly. PageFlow's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). 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. Focal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and PageFlow sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focal ships an update every 4 days, PageFlow monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Focal versus PageFlow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocalPageFlow
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB143 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperJesse MeissnerSidnei de Souza Junior

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Focal

Subscriptions1
  • Focal Monthly$2.991 Month
One-time1
  • Focal Lifetime$9.99
2 purchases

PageFlow

Subscriptions2
  • PageFlow Weekly$1.997 Days
  • PageFlow Annual$14.991 Year

Questions

Is Focal free?
Focal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PageFlow free?
PageFlow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Focal or PageFlow have ads?
Neither Focal nor PageFlow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Focal or PageFlow?
Focal ships an update every 4 days, and PageFlow monthly. Most recently, Focal was updated on October 6, 2026 and PageFlow on October 25, 2026.

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