# Outread vs BionRead

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.

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.

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.

Outread ships an update every 3 weeks, BionRead every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Outread | BionRead |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (1.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/outread-speed-reading/id778846279/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bionread-bionic-fast-reader/id6754270691/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.4K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 80.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 38 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Arkadiusz Holko](https://appshunter.io/developer/683846458) | [sihan wu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1790086406) |

## What reviewers say

### Outread

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/outread-speed-reading/id778846279)

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:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Outread+ Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Outread+ Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Outread+ Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Outread+ Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Outread+ Monthly Family | $8.49 | per month |
| Outread+ Annual | $29.99 | per year |
| Outread+ Annual Family | $49.99 | per year |
| Outread+ Annual | $49.99 | per year |
| Outread+ Lifetime | $119.99 | one-time |
| Outread+ Lifetime Family | $149.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple idea, big impact
- 👍 Developer is a chad
- 🚀 Fantastic application
- 🚀 Whole heartedly recommend
- 🚀 Increased reading speed

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Not free, requires subscription
- 💰 Costs money
- 💰 Pay for importing PDFs
- 🐛 Paste web link takes really long time
- 🐛 Highlighting transition needs to be smoother

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to link to Pocket
- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices

**Requested features**

- 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


### BionRead

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bionread-bionic-fast-reader/id6754270691)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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 6, 2026 and BionRead on September 19, 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.*