Word Runner vs Tempo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Word Runner
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WordRunner – Speed Reader Read faster. Focus deeper. WordRunner brings speed reading to your iPhone using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) - the same technology used by professional speed readers. Words are displayed one at a time in a fixed focal point, eliminating the eye movement that slows most readers down. Features Read EPUB, PDF, and plain text files Adjustable speed from 100 to 900 words per minute Dynamic pacing - automatically slows at punctuation and long words Optimal Recognition Point (ORP) highlighting to anchor your focus Auto-saves your progress so you never lose your place Jump to any position in your book with full-text search Clean, distraction-free dark interface designed for long reading sessions How it works Open any book or article, set your speed, and tap play. WordRunner guides your eyes word by word — no scrolling, no distractions. Most readers see noticeable speed improvements within their first session. Perfect for Students, professionals, and curious readers who want to get through more books, articles, and documents in less time.
Tempo
This app presents text one word at a time, helping you maintain focus and progress through reading material. It offers adjustable pacing, rewind capabilities, and a distraction-free reading environment. Save your content locally and track your reading habits.
- RSVP reading mode
- Adjustable reading pace (WPM)
- Pause, rewind, and review text
- Import text and supported files
- Local reading library
- Reading progress tracking
- Customizable themes and typography
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Tempo is a calm focus reader for people who want to keep moving through books, notes, articles, and study material without losing their place. The reader uses RSVP reading: it shows text one word at a time, with simple controls for pace, pause, rewind, and review. Instead of filling the screen with distractions, Tempo keeps the current word centered and gives you just enough context to continue confidently. Use Tempo to: * Paste text or import supported files * Read one word at a time in a focused RSVP view * Adjust your words-per-minute pace * Pause, rewind, and jump back into context * Save reading material in your local library * Track reading sessions, progress, stats, and streaks * Choose themes and typography that feel comfortable * Unlock unlimited local reading with a one-time purchase Tempo is built for focused reading, not fake productivity. It does not promise magic speed gains or replace careful reading. It gives you a calmer way to move through text, stay engaged, and finish more of what you start. Your reading material stays local by default in this release. Tempo is designed for content you own, created, or otherwise have the right to read.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Word Runner at none against Tempo's 2. Tempo's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Tempo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Word Runner asks for nothing beyond the download.
Word Runner ships an update every 3 months, Tempo every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Word Runner | Tempo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 59 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | simge nur cankaya | Josh Hoffman |
In-app purchases
Word Runner
No in-app purchases
Tempo
- Unlimited Reading2 variants$7.99









