About SpeedRead

SpeedRead was born out of frustration with modern reading tools. While researching reading tools, we discovered that most speed readers, audio narration tools (like Speechify), and bionic visual customizers require heavy monthly subscriptions (ranging from $10 to $30/month) or lock basic upload features behind paywalls.

We set out to build a platform that is entirely free to use, fast, distraction-free, and respects your privacy.

Our Core Philosophy

1. Local-First & Private

Your books and articles are personal. We believe you should not have to upload your files to remote servers just to read them. That is why 100% of SpeedRead's parsing, Text-to-Speech syncing, and OCR engines execute directly in your browser. Your documents never leave your device.

2. Dual-Channel Cognitive Reading

Speed reading is not just about flashing words; it is about cognitive absorption. By combining RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) flashing with synchronized Text-to-Speech audio, we create a dual-channel learning engine. This technique locks your attention and eliminates sub-vocalization (the voice inside your head that reads words slow), helping you process text at WPM speeds you did not know you were capable of.

3. Disruptive Pricing

Our core product is supported by display ads. For an ad-free workspace, unlimited document length, and multi-device access, we offer a simple $9 Lifetime License — one payment, license key you can paste on any device. No recurring fees.

Our Stack

SpeedRead is built using a modern static framework called Astro. Because Astro compiles down to zero client-side JavaScript by default, it is highly optimized for SEO and loads instantly. We integrate lightweight, client-side libraries:

• Web Speech API for synced local voice synthesis.
• pdfjs-dist for dynamic client-side PDF parsing.
• JSZip for client-side EPUB file decompression.
• Tesseract.js via WebAssembly for on-device OCR.