Comparison

Outread vs BionRead

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

Head to head
About

Outread

Enhance your reading speed and comprehension with this app. It offers guided reading modes, memory exercises, and supports various document types. Improve focus and retention for all readers.

Highlights
  • Speed reading modes (Guide & Flash)
  • Peripheral vision and memory exercises
  • Webpage and document import
  • Adjustable reading speed and chunk length
  • Progress tracking and reading stats
  • AI translation
  • Offline reading
Features
Read full description

Speed-read websites, ebooks and documents. Outread improves reading effectiveness by helping you to focus on reading small chunks of text at a time. You can either follow the highlighter along the page or keep the text centered. Featured by Apple in “Best New Apps”, “Train Your Brain” and "Read Something New" sections “You're in luck, because Outread will help you get through [articles] and learn speed-reading in the process.” — Lifehacker "Speed Between the Lines" — WSJ “A clear winner in the speed-reading category” — AppAdvice BASIC FEATURES: - Speed read by following the highlighter along the page (Guide Mode) or by keeping the focused phrase in the center of the screen (Flash Mode - Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) - Exercises improving peripheral vision, eidetic memory, short-term memory and chunking ability. - Add webpages from Safari or other apps using share extension - Paste text or add from a URL - Sync your library, preferences and reading stats between your devices - Adjust the reading speed and chunk length (length of text you read at once) - Bookmark parts of text for later and add notes to them - Selection of fonts to suit all reading conditions - Monitor your progress with reading stats - Filter (by services or tags) and sort (by date, length or title) the items - See images included in text (even during speed reading) - AI translate text added to the app to many supported languages - Pleasant reading experience improving comprehension and concentration for people with dyslexia, ADD and ADHD - Test your reading speed and comprehension - Universal app for iPhone, iPad and Mac - Everything is always with you, even offline OUTREAD+ FEATURES: - Read free classic novels from the built-in catalog - Sync with Instapaper - Add your own ebooks (DRM-free ePub) - Add PDF, Microsoft Word, RTF and TXT documents - Higher reading speed up to 1,500 words per minute - Unlimited bookmarks and notes - Reader themes: Black & White (great for OLED), Sepia and Gray NOTE: - DRM-protected ebooks (Kindle and most of iBooks ebooks) are not supported Terms and Conditions: https://outreadapp.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://outreadapp.com/privacy-policy If you have any questions or suggestions, you can reach us at contact@outreadapp.com

About

BionRead

Enhance reading comprehension and speed with a unique text formatting method. This EPUB reader helps users stay focused and retain information better, especially beneficial for those with attention difficulties.

Highlights
  • EPUB file import and reading
  • Bionic Reading mode activation
  • Focus-friendly text formatting
  • Reading progress tracking
  • Distraction-free interface
Features
Read full description

This EPUB-only reading app uses Bionic Reading to help you stay engaged, read faster, and better retain what you read. Whether you’re studying, researching, or just trying to focus, this tool enhances how you process text. Especially helpful for users with ADHD or attention difficulties. Features – Import and read EPUB files (only) – Tap to enable Bionic Reading mode – Focus-friendly text formatting – Track reading progress – Minimal interface, distraction-free experience Note: This app only supports .epub files.

Screenshots

Outread4 screens
BionRead4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Outread at every 3 weeks against BionRead's every 7 months. Outread also leads on ratings volume (1.4K vs 1). BionRead's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). 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. Outread sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and BionRead sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BionRead holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Outread has 1.4K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Outread ships an update every 3 weeks, BionRead every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Outread versus BionRead: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOutreadBionRead
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.4K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.4K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB17 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperArkadiusz Holkosihan wu

Customer experience

Outread

All ratings1,351 ratings
Positive92.8%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews276 reviews
Positive80.4%
Neutral6.2%
Negative13.4%

BionRead

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Outread

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Unable to link to Pocket
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices

Requested features

11 requests
  • Highlighting, underlining and saving quotes feature
  • Ability to sync books and progress across devices
  • Bionic reading feature
  • Ability to scroll while reading in highlight mode
  • Customizable highlighted text color and background
Show 6 more
  • Larger font size options
  • Ability to link to virtual library apps like Libby
  • Bookmarking and note-taking features
  • More advanced training exercises and levels
  • Ability to scan photos from album
  • Compatibility with Apple Vision Pro

BionRead

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Outread

Subscriptions8
  • Outread+ Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Outread+ Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Outread+ Monthly$4.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Outread+ Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Outread+ Monthly Family$8.491 Month
  • Outread+ Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Outread+ Annual Family7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Outread+ Annual7 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • Outread+ Lifetime$119.99
  • Outread+ Lifetime Family$149.99
3 purchases

BionRead

One-time3
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$2.99
  • Large Tip$5.99

Questions

Is Outread free?
Outread is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BionRead free?
BionRead is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Outread or BionRead?
BionRead is rated higher. Outread averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.4K ratings, while BionRead averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Outread or BionRead have ads?
Neither Outread nor BionRead shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Outread or BionRead?
Outread ships an update every 3 weeks, and BionRead every 7 months. Most recently, Outread was updated on October 3, 2026 and BionRead on September 19, 2026.

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