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SPECIFICTION
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LightSpeedRead

lightspeedread.com

From $1.58/mo Free plan WebiOSBrowser extension
Visit lightspeedread.com
Spec score 9.0 #1 of 27 in Speed Reading Apps

What it is

LightSpeedRead is a speed-reading reader that presents words or short groups of words one at a time at a fixed point on screen using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP). The web reader accepts pasted text, links, PDFs and EPUBs. Readers can adjust speed, pauses for long words and punctuation, gradual ramp-up, themes, fonts, emphasis and word size. A red letter marks each word’s optimal recognition point, aligned to a fixed center line. Submitting an article URL sends it to r.jina.ai to fetch and extract text; pages behind logins or paywalls may not extract cleanly. Pasted and uploaded text is processed locally in the browser, and the Chrome extension reads page text only when invoked. The free plan includes the website reader and extension reading up to 600 wpm. Pro is $2.99 per month or $19.00 per year, with speeds up to 1000 wpm and additional controls. The iOS app is marked “Coming soon.” The maker cautions that high RSVP speeds can reduce comprehension, especially for dense or important material.

Spec sheet

What it does
LightSpeedRead uses Rapid Serial Visual Presentation to show one word or a small group of words sequentially at a fixed screen position.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Security
The maker states that services use HTTPS, PCI-compliant payment processors and per-user access controls for optional account data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Support
The privacy policy lists [email protected] for privacy questions and data deletion requests.Read 29 Sep 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Headquarters
Miami, Florida, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Article extraction
Pasting a URL sends that address to r.jina.ai for article extraction, and login-protected or paywalled pages may fail to extract cleanly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Article links
Pasting a URL sends it to r.jina.ai to fetch and extract article text; pages behind logins or paywalls may not extract cleanly.Read 29 Sep 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Browser privacy
Pasted or uploaded text is processed locally in the browser and is not sent to LightSpeedRead.Read 29 Sep 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Chrome extension behavior
The extension reads page text only when invoked through selection, context menu, toolbar button or keyboard shortcut and does not run in the background.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Chunk reading
The product can display several words at once, with Pro specifying two to three words per chunk.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Company headquarters
The privacy policy identifies the data controller as Silver Directive LLC in Miami, Florida, United States.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Comprehension limit
The maker says RSVP can reduce comprehension at high speeds and recommends slowing down or rereading dense or important material normally.Read 29 Sep 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Comprehension trade-off
The maker says comprehension tends to decline as RSVP speed rises and recommends slowing down or rereading dense or important material normally.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Data handling
The maker says it does not sell or share personal information and does not use advertising networks or third-party trackers.Read 29 Sep 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Data practices
The privacy policy says LightSpeedRead does not sell or share personal information, use advertising networks or build behavioral profiles.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Extension availability
The site marks its Chrome extension as available and says it can read selected text or a whole article from a web page.Read 29 Sep 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Extension privacy
The Chrome extension reads page text only when invoked and processes it on the device; it does not run in the background on browsed pages.Read 29 Sep 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Independent ranking
iTechGuides places LightSpeedRead at number 5 of 27 speed-reading apps.Read 15 Oct 2026 · itechguides.com
Input formats
The web reader accepts pasted text, URLs, PDF files and EPUB files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
iOS availability
The homepage describes an iPhone and iPad app as coming soon.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Keyboard controls
Playback supports space for play or pause, arrow keys for stepping and speed, F for fullscreen and Esc to exit fullscreen.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Limit: free speed ceiling
iTechGuides reports that free Chrome extension reading stops at 600 words per minute.Read 15 Oct 2026 · itechguides.com
Limit: guided training
iTechGuides lists guided training as not included.Read 15 Oct 2026 · itechguides.com
Limit: paid features
iTechGuides reports that chunk reading, read-aloud and statistics require Pro.Read 15 Oct 2026 · itechguides.com
Limit: URL access
Pages behind logins, paywalls or automated-reading blocks may not be extracted successfully from a URL.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Local processing
Pasted and uploaded reading content is processed in the browser and is not sent to LightSpeedRead.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Maker legal name
The privacy policy identifies Silver Directive LLC as the company operating the LightSpeedRead brand.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Mobile availability
The website adapts to small screens and runs in a mobile browser; the iOS app for iPhone and iPad is marked “Coming soon.”Read 29 Sep 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Mobile browser
The site adapts to small screens and runs in a mobile browser without installation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Optimal recognition point
A red letter marks each word’s optimal recognition point and is aligned to a fixed center line.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Optional sync
Pro users can opt into account sync for reading history and settings through Supabase.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
ORP display
The product marks a word’s optimal recognition point with a red letter and aligns it to a fixed center line.Read 29 Sep 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Payments
Extension subscriptions are handled by ExtensionPay and Stripe, while Apple handles iOS purchases; LightSpeedRead says it does not store card details.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Praise: browser access
iTechGuides highlights the Chrome extension’s ability to read selected text or complete web articles.Read 15 Oct 2026 · itechguides.com
Praise: comprehension checks
iTechGuides says comprehension tests pair speed practice with questions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · itechguides.com
Praise: content support
iTechGuides praises the free RSVP reader’s support for articles, pasted text, PDFs and EPUBs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · itechguides.com
Rating on iTechGuides
9.0 out of 10 from 0 reader reviews; the page labels 9.0/10 as its editor score and says reader reviews are not yet available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · itechguides.com
Read-aloud
Pro adds a synchronized read-aloud voice in the extension and website reader.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Reading controls
The reader provides adjustable speed, long-word, sentence, paragraph and punctuation pauses, gradual ramp-up, themes, font choices, emphasis and word-size controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Support contact
Privacy and deletion requests can be sent to [email protected].Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Supported input
The web reader accepts pasted text, links, PDFs and EPUBs.Read 29 Sep 2026 · lightspeedread.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Website reader, speed test, calculator and guides · Chrome extension up to 600 wpm · no account or ads Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Pro monthly $2.99 a month per month; cancel anytime Up to 1000 wpm · chunk reading · read-aloud voice · light and sepia themes · serif font and word-size controls · speed ramp · smart pause presets · reading stats · cloud sync Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com
Pro yearly $19 a year per year; cancel anytime Up to 1000 wpm · chunk reading · read-aloud voice · light and sepia themes · serif font and word-size controls · speed ramp · smart pause presets · reading stats · cloud sync Read 15 Oct 2026 · lightspeedread.com

Every LightSpeedRead plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Accepts pasted text, links, PDFs and EPUBs.
  • Adjustable speed, pauses, themes and font controls.
  • Browser text processing stays local.
  • Free extension reading supports up to 600 wpm.

Limits

  • iOS app is marked “Coming soon.”
  • Login or paywall pages may not extract cleanly.
  • High RSVP speeds can reduce comprehension.
  • Pro starts at $2.99 per month.

Who it suits

It suits readers who want to move through web articles, PDFs, EPUBs or pasted text with adjustable RSVP controls. Readers who need the iOS app now, or who read dense material at high speed, should note its stated limitations.

Verdict

LightSpeedRead specifies a broad set of reading controls and supports several input types, with browser-local processing for pasted or uploaded text. Its iOS app is not yet available, and the maker advises slowing down or rereading important material normally when comprehension matters.

Where Specifiction places it

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