Speed Reading & RSVP

Speed-reading research is mixed (your comprehension drops past ~600 wpm), but RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation — show one word at a time at the focal point) and gradient highlighting are real, modest reading-speed boosters for long-form text. Pair with reader apps and browser reader mode.

RSVP apps

• ★ Reedy — free; Android; the most-loved FOSS-feeling RSVP reader; reads EPUB / PDF / TXT / clipboard; configurable wpm.
• Spreeder — paid + free; web + iOS / Android; the older default; subscription model.
• Outread — paid; macOS / iOS; gradient highlights + RSVP combined.
• Readsy / Spritzlet (bookmarklets) — free; web; quick on-the-fly RSVP from any page.
• AccelaReader — free; web; no install; paste text.
• OpenSpritz — free; old open-source bookmarklet; spawned the genre.

Gradient / "BeeLine" highlighting

• ★ BeeLine Reader — paid + free; browser extension + iOS / Android; colour-gradient drags your eye line-to-line. Particularly effective for kids / dyslexic readers.
• Bionic Reading — paid + free; bolds the first half of each word; the viral 2022 trend; built into Microsoft Edge as "Reading View" since 2023.
• Edge Read Aloud + Reading View — free; Bionic-flavoured.

Built-in OS / browser

• Edge Reading View / Immersive Reader — free; the most polished mainstream "focus" reading mode; line focus + Bionic + read aloud. See Reader Mode.
• Apple Books "Scroll" mode + larger font + custom spacing — close enough to gradient benefit for most users.

Caveats / honesty

• ★ Most academic studies of speed-reading apps show comprehension drops above ~600 wpm, even with RSVP. They're great for skimming, low-stakes content, and giving your eyes a rest from saccades — not for deep reading.
• Bionic Reading evidence is mixed: viral, but rigorous studies show no measurable speed improvement for most adults. Helps some dyslexic readers.

Pick this if…

• Free RSVP on Android: Reedy.
• Web bookmarklet RSVP: Spritzlet / OpenSpritz.
• Paid Mac/iOS RSVP: Outread.
• Gradient line-tracking: BeeLine Reader.
• Just want a built-in reading focus mode: Edge Immersive Reader.