RSVP Reader is a local-first speed-reading web app that presents text one word at a time.
It highlights the optimal recognition point within each word to help the eye identify words quickly, with adjustable reading speeds ranging from 50 to 1,200 words per minute.
The app stores books, reading positions, bookmarks, highlights, statistics and settings locally in the browser. Optional token-protected cloud synchronization is available for imported books and developer digests.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Rapid serial visual presentation with optimal recognition point highlighting.
- Adjustable reading speed from 50 to 1,200 words per minute.
- First-run reading-speed calibration.
- Single-, double- and triple-word presentation modes.
- Bionic reading and comfort-font options.
- Smart pauses at paragraph boundaries.
- Imports TXT, Markdown and PDF documents.
- Supports pasted text and automatically cleans pasted web content.
- Searches and downloads public-domain books from Project Gutenberg.
- Offers highlights, bookmarks and Markdown export.
- Tracks reading statistics, streaks, daily goals and estimated completion times.
- Includes an optional gaze-pause feature that runs face detection locally.
- Provides keyboard controls and a command palette.
- Works as an installable Progressive Web App with offline reading.
- Stores reading data locally using IndexedDB and localStorage.
- Offers optional token-protected synchronization across devices.
- Includes light and dark themes, accent colours and named presets.
Website: github.com/ryan-organically/RSVP
Support:
Developer: Ryan Scanlon
License: MIT License
RSVP Reader is written in JavaScript. Learn JavaScript with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Best Speed Reading Tools | |
|---|---|
| uniread | Spritz-like CLI fast reader with support for EPUB, TEXT, and PDF |
| speedread | Simple terminal-based open source Spritz-alike |
| Spedread | GTK speed reading software |
| GutenFlash | Streaming text reader |
| LetoReader | Self-hostable speed reader |
| tspreed | Terminal-based RSVP speed reader |
| sprits-it! | Speed-reading of web pages in a browser |
| read-quickly | Read plain-text files in blazing speed |
| Fast Reader | Read text quickly and effectively |
| Spray Speed Reader | JavaScript-based speed-reading tool |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
Explore our comprehensive directory of recommended free and open source software. Our carefully curated collection spans every major software category.This directory is part of our ongoing series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. It features hundreds of detailed reviews, along with open source alternatives to proprietary solutions from major corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. You’ll also find interesting projects to try, hardware coverage, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Discovered a useful open source Linux program that we haven’t covered yet? Let us know by completing this form. |


Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.