Comparison

Outread vs Sightlines

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

Sightlines

Features
Read full description

Read faster and retain more with Sightlines—the speed-reading app powered by Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) techniques. Traditional reading wastes up to 80% of your time on eye movement alone. Sightlines displays one word at a time in a fixed position, delivering text directly to your brain's optimal recognition point. The result? Reading speeds up to 800 words per minute with less eye strain and deeper focus. Speed Read Anything: • Import ePubs or PDFs from your files • Share documents directly to the app • Save articles instantly from any URL • Paste text directly for immediate reading • Sample content included to get started RSVP Technology That Works: • One word at a time display eliminates eye movement • Optimal Recognition Point (ORP) highlighting for faster processing • Adjustable speeds from 100 to 800 WPM • Smooth speed transitions while reading • Context view shows surrounding sentences when paused Track Your Reading Progress: • Detailed analytics: words read, sessions, and actual WPM achieved • Daily, weekly, monthly, and all-time statistics • Visual charts show your speed improving over time • Reading streaks keep you motivated and consistent • Automatic progress saving—pick up exactly where you left off Personalized Reading Experience: • 6 themes: Dark, Light, Sepia, Night, Paper, and System • Each book remembers your preferred reading speed • Chapter navigation for ePub books • Distraction-free, full-screen reading mode Who Is Sightlines For?: • Students tackling heavy reading loads • Professionals staying current with articles and reports • Book lovers who want to read more in less time • Anyone looking to improve focus and reduce screen fatigue Stop moving your eyes. Start moving through your reading list. Use of this app is subject to Apple's Licensed Application End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Outread4 screens
Sightlines4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Sightlines at every 4 days against Outread's every 3 weeks. Outread's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

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 Sightlines sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Outread ships an update every 3 weeks, Sightlines every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Outread versus Sightlines: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOutreadSightlines
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.4K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.4K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB12 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperArkadiusz HolkoKyle Foley

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

Sightlines

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
2 purchases

Sightlines

Subscriptions2
  • Sightlines Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Sightlines Pro Yearly$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Outread free?
Outread is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sightlines free?
Sightlines is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Outread or Sightlines have ads?
Neither Outread nor Sightlines shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Outread or Sightlines?
Outread ships an update every 3 weeks, and Sightlines every 4 days. Most recently, Outread was updated on October 26, 2026 and Sightlines on October 20, 2026.

Other comparisons