LightSpeedRead vs Strobe

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.

Strobe is an RSVP reader for PDFs, EPUBs, and text. It displays one word at a time at a fixed point, with adjustable reading speeds from 100 to 1,000 words per minute. Smart Timing changes word intervals according to word length, punctuation, sentence endings, and complexity. The app imports PDF, EPUB, TXT, and Markdown files and accepts pasted text. Readers can search passages, browse chapters, and resume at the exact word where they stopped. Documents, progress, and settings remain on the device, with no account, analytics, document uploads, or cloud synchronization. Imported text works offline. Accessibility support includes VoiceOver, larger text, Reduced Motion, Dynamic Type, and keyboard controls on compatible devices. Strobe runs on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. It has a free plan with no subscription, advertisements, or in-app purchases. DRM-protected EPUBs and password-protected PDFs are unsupported, and PDFs need a text layer because the app does not run OCR.