Do Speed Reading Apps Work? (Answered!)

The demand for speed reading apps continues to rise, given their effectiveness in helping people read and comprehend better. Speed reading apps are great tools for people who understand how to subvocalize and leverage peripheral vision to capture multiple texts simultaneously. 

Learning speed reading requires understanding how to scan through blocks of text. This is a useful skill for people who have much to read but little time. 

Suppose you’re preparing for an exam with many reading materials; speed reading can be an effective method to navigate the challenge.

Therefore, speed reading benefits students, lawyers, doctors, and everyone with a huge reading workload. A great way to maximize speed reading is to find a suitable speed reading app that works seamlessly. 

Doing this will help you utilize suitable speed reading strategies to read faster and comprehend better. 

However, although speed reading apps are now popular, you must understand the most effective options. The best speed readers know this, so they focus on choosing well.

Knowing this will ensure you don’t waste time with the wrong app. This guide will teach you how speed reading apps work, their limitations, and the best apps. 

How speed reading apps work

Speed reading apps incorporate software designed with strategies and techniques for reading and comprehending quickly. These apps help you to eliminate subvocalization. You’ll also be able to structure your lessons based on reading speed, time, and complexities of the text.

You must first understand that speed reading is not a natural talent. Often, people question why they need speed-reading apps. After all, you can decide to read faster with your mind.

 However, the strategies involved in speed reading are unique, and you must learn them adequately.

These speed reading apps help you learn to read quickly and make decisions. Without understanding the necessary techniques, recording results during this journey will be difficult. 

Let’s examine some of these techniques.

The pointer method

The pointer speed reading method involves using a pointer, such as an index finger or a pen, to guide the eyes as they move across the page while reading. This technique helps to focus the reader’s attention on specific words or lines.

Using the “pointer” method can help you cover more texts quickly.

Skimming

As the name suggests, skimming means you’re glancing through the texts quickly without much focus on the details. You ignore the sentences, grammar, punctuation, or structure. Instead, you attempt to capture the key points on the page.

This technique is a notable way to understand what a page is about without reading it completely. Essentially, you don’t need to read every text to know the gist of the page. 

Understanding how to skim will help you move through pages of books or materials quickly without compromising reading comprehension. 

Chunking

The chunking speed reading technique involves breaking down the text into smaller sections and reading them in chunks. One trick for using this method is to read every third word in the text to get the overall idea without reading every single word. 

While utilizing this technique, especially when starting, you must take breaks to assess what you’ve read. This helps you understand if the technique is working adequately. 

Track and pace

Also referred to as the tracker and pacer technique, this method eliminates or reduces regression while reading. This technique helps you focus your eyes on the text you’re reading without regressing to previously read texts. Always use your finger to direct your eyes using this technique.

One challenge many people face while reading is regression. This habit wastes time and slows down your regular reading rate. By placing your finger at the start of each line, your mind stays focused on the text you’re on and where you’re moving next. 

This technique is similar to the “pointer” method, as both strategies help you improve your focus. Also, always take breaks for assessment, as these breaks help improve your understanding. 

The effectiveness of speed reading apps

Speed reading apps are effective if you use them correctly. Every tool has a manual of instructions guiding its use. These instructions help you achieve crucial results within a reasonable time. 

For speed reading apps, you must first understand your person. Some important questions include: “How do you read?” “how fast do you read?” “how complex is the text?” “what’s the timeline you have to read?”

Most estimates say that the average adult reads about 200 words per minute. Of course, this is good if you’re reading for fun.

 However, if you have an upcoming exam or work in a fast-paced setting, you want to ensure you can read faster. Since time is a valuable resource, speed reading becomes crucial.

With speed reading apps, you can read a lot of materials quickly. This is precisely what they are designed for. 

A 2020 study found that students who correctly practiced speed reading achieved improved comprehension.

The apps are built with different reading techniques you can leverage to improve your understanding. You choose suitable techniques, set timelines, and take assessments to master the strategies. 

Ultimately, the apps will help you achieve strengthened focus and clarity, guiding you to read and understand better. 

Yet another study found that speed reading apps may affect comprehension since it limits the ability to backtrack. 

However, it should be noted that these adverse effects only happen when candidates don’t utilize the speed reading app adequately. 

A core benefit of these apps is that they can quickly help you eliminate subvocalization and regression. 

These two elements often impede readers from comprehending information quickly since they are reading with their minds and regressing to previous texts. But with specially-curated reading speed lessons, you can get ahead. 

The limitations of speed reading apps

Although speed reading apps can offer great results, they face some limitations that may hinder their results. You can’t possibly subject all texts to speed reading exercises, especially at the same pace. The complexities of some pages will trigger the limitations of these apps.

As with every tool, you’ll face some challenges using these apps depending on your circumstances. Complex and technical texts require more patience, high-level analysis, and time. So, even if you attempt to increase your reading speed without focusing on details, you may be unable to record any results.

In such instances, you may need to spend more time breaking the texts apart to know the technical areas and the simpler parts.

 Focus on spending more time on the complex parts while skimming through the simpler sections. This helps you maximize your time, despite spending more time than usual.

Furthermore, if you’re unfamiliar with the local language of the text, you may struggle with using these apps. One factor that makes speed reading convenient is when you read in a familiar language. 

However, speed reading using an app may be a struggle for a secondary language or one you’re just learning. 

Ultimately, you must optimize to use the app correctly always. A fundamental challenge many people face with speed reading apps is their inadequate use. This will affect your results and may also hinder comprehension. 

Therefore, it pays to learn using a suitable speed reading tool you can work with to achieve the needed results. 

What are the best speed reading apps for iPhone, Android, and Macs

When you’re contemplating getting a speed reading app, many factors matter. This is especially so given that hundreds of speed-reading apps are on the market. Choosing the right one requires an understanding of what these products offer. 

Truly, the reading speed app you choose may determine if you will achieve your desired results. You can also boost your result on this journey by taking a personal productivity course that could help you improve your productivity levels. 

This section of the guide will take you through the top reading speed apps you should know about whether you use an iPhone, Android device, or a Mac.

The 7-Speed-Reading App (7SR)

As a student preparing for an upcoming exam, 7SR is an excellent option. The app is a cloud-based solution to help users read and learn better and more quicker. Although it’s now merged with Spreeder, 7SR is a notable speed-reading solution. 

The app’s unique selling point is that it teaches the techniques and strategies you can utilize to learn faster. This allows you to learn from the app while you implement it on your own. 

Merging with Spreeder has made the combination a comprehensive speed reading solution on the market. 

This will be a good fit if you want a 360 speed-reading app. You can use it on all devices, including iOS, Android devices, and Mac.

Boba

Available on iOS 8 and below, Boba is a free speed reading app that works on iOS and Safari. The app is a small-sized speed reading solution to read quickly. Based on Spritz technology, the app focuses on getting you through content quickly. 

However, it doesn’t teach you the speed reading techniques you can utilize. But it allows you to customize your app as you desire, setting your favorite content sites and personalizing your experience. This will be a good option if your focus is getting through content quickly.

You should note that the app hasn’t been updated recently and may not function adequately on new devices. 

Wear ReaderTM app

Wear Reader also exists on Spritz technology and is designed for devices such as Apple watches or similar wearable options. The app allows you to read eBooks faster and highlight crucial parts you want to remember later.

But the app is for learning and practicing speed reading strategies. If you get the app, you’ll be able to read documents in digital formats such as PDF, Docx, and HTML. You can also set bookmarks and adjust reading speed based on preferences. 

Choosing this app will be determined by what you need. Do you want to read faster and conveniently while on the go, or do you want to learn speed reading? The app only works for the former. 

Accelerator App

Accelerator prides itself as the fastest speed reading tool. It allows you to bookmark web pages and save documents in different readable formats. The app will convert your text and display words simultaneously, offering great readability and reading structure. 

By viewing one word at a time instead of a block of text, the app helps you read and focus, making reading more convenient in less time. The app is fully compatible with iOS 10 and above and has a $2.99 price.

Users have attested to the app’s performance rate, especially in the comprehension department.

Notably, users have also commented on the app’s inadequate conversion of bullet points.

QuickReader for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch

QuickReader is a speed reading tool focusing on the books in your collection. The app also grants you access to about 9,000 other titles. QuickReader allows you to read numerous desired texts, from self-help books to classics.

The app costs $4.99 and is generally suitable for reading. However, users have complained that the fonts are unsuitable for dyslexic people. Also, it can be time-consuming for the app to generate definitions on request. 

The app is available on iOS devices, including iPad, iPod, and iPhone. 

Spreeder for desktop, iOS, and Android devices

The Spreeder is a popular RSVP speed reading tool that has merged with 7SR to offer comprehensive speed reading solutions. As a result, the app has become better and faster, offering you all you require to read books and digital information quickly. 

The app offers professional videos to provide you with speed reading techniques and strategies to improve comprehension. You’ll also learn to eliminate bad reading habits that affect speed reading. 

Available on all browsers, this app provides a chart to track your progress and record your improvement. 

You can also access more than 20,000 books while creating up to 5 user accounts. The app provides a convenient route to speed reading by allowing you set smart goals. 

Readlax

Readlax aims to help users achieve improved speed reading habits. The app offers speed reading training and brain exercises to improve comprehension. The app has a stylish interface and is integrated with Scribd and other bookstores. 

The app is useful for improving memory and vocabulary. You can also set the speed and adjust the app to your preferences. Although this is a free speed reading app, you may have to pay for certain subscriptions in-app. 

SpeedReader app, Android

SpeedReader is a fast-speed reading tool that allows you to learn to read faster on your Android. You can download the app for free but should expect purchases within the app, especially to go premium. 

An interesting feature of this app is that you can access content from other reading tools. The app also incorporates other features to help you learn speed reading, including gaming exercises. In-app purchases go for $2.99 per item.

Outread for iOS

Outread is a speed reading tool compatible with Microsoft Word, making it convenient for professionals to use the app with their work documents. You can use the app to simplify documents from your colleagues. 

The app also features an interesting highlighter that you can use to mark different parts of your document in different colors and sizes. The app is available on iOS devices and costs $2.99.

Readme! for Android and iOS

Readme is an appealing speed reading app with an impressive user interface. The app features welcome tunes and notes to sustain users’ interest. You can get the app on any apple device using iOS 12.

The app also features a smooth highlighting technology that allows you to note crucial parts while reading. 

The tool supports your reading by making it convenient to spot your reading position and the next line you’re moving to. 

Spritz speed reading app

Spritz speed reading app promises to increase your reading pace within weeks. The app aims to help you go from 200 to 400 words per minute in two weeks while being able to run through a novel after learning for two months.

However, although the promise appears appealing, the app doesn’t have tools dedicated to helping you learn these techniques. The app also doesn’t have lessons on recalling information consumed. It costs $1.79 to download this speed-reading app.

Reedy. Intelligent reader

You can use this speed reading app via Google Chrome extension. The app integrates highlighting features that allow you to read at preset speeds. It supports various document formats, including ePub, zip, and more. 

Although the app doesn’t teach speed reading techniques, it allows you to read at increased speeds, guiding you to improve your pace and understanding. The app incorporates focus mode and smart slowing to help you read better. 

It is available on Android, and you should expect to make in-app purchases. 

Speed reading for Android

Just like other apps, this speed reading app aims to help users increase speed reading. Despite not having a specific brand name, the app has been installed by many Android users. 

The app doesn’t offer much teaching, but it has features devised to make reading smooth and help readers focus. 

It allows you to expand your vision to capture more information while reading. You can install it for free, but in-app purchases range between $1.99 and $5.99.

ReadQuick for iOS

This speed-reading app says it’s one of the top options available on iTunes. The app makes a legible compilation from your daily reading to improve your comprehension. You can read various text forms, from newspapers to novels.

ReadQuick is a useful app for reading texts in comprehensible formats. To download the app, you’ll incur $9.99.

AceReader cloud app

Backed by Stepware, AceReader is a speed reading tool you can use on iOS or Android device. The app offers users proven speed reading strategies to help them improve their reading skills.

Using the Rapid Serial Visual Presentation tech (RSVP), the app provides great reading features that support correct eye movement and speed. You’ll also be able to track your growth while using this app.

Expect a charge rate of $39.99 for the app’s personal edition.

Syllable for iOS

The app shares many similarities with other speed-reading apps. It focuses on helping readers mitigate or eliminate subvocalization, making it convenient to focus on reading. The app also offers notable usability, as you can interchange colors, fonts, and sizes.

It costs $2.99 and has a night mode for readers who desire this feature.

However, according to available reviews by users, the app doesn’t introduce any new features.

Do speed reading programs work?

Speed reading programs work when you select the right program and follow the instructions properly. This is why you must choose a speed reading program that will help you improve your performance, maximize your memory and enhance comprehension.

Iris speed reading programs are designed to help you improve your reading speed. These programs typically include exercises, quizzes, and assessments to help track your progress and determine which techniques work best for you. 

By following the instructions and consistently practicing with the program, you can expect to increase your reading speed and overall comprehension of the text.

To get the most out of a speed reading program, it is important to structure your sessions and practice with different types of texts to find the best pace for you. 

Remember to manage your expectations and understand that speed reading is not a magic solution but rather a tool to help you improve your reading speed and comprehension with practice. 

Don’t forget to allocate time for review and recall to fully understand and retain what you read.

Conclusion

Speed reading apps can be an effective tool when used correctly. If you want to speed read, choose a tool with a comprehensive approach to speed reading. 

Such a tool will teach you different speed reading techniques, offer you tracking charts, and provide personalized lessons. This will accelerate your journey and impact your results.

With structured lessons and scientifically proven techniques, you can get better at speed reading in weeks.

Download Accelereader today to achieve your speed reading desires much more quickly. The tool offers an effective approach to improving your reading speed and comprehension.