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Strobe
What it is
Strobe is an RSVP reader for PDFs, EPUBs, and text, showing one word at a time at a fixed point. Reading speed is adjustable from 100 to 1,000 words per minute, and Smart Timing changes word intervals based on 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, reading progress, and settings stay on the device; Strobe has no account, analytics, document uploads, or cloud sync between devices. Imported text can be read offline. It supports VoiceOver, larger text, Reduced Motion, Dynamic Type, and keyboard controls on compatible devices. Strobe is available on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Its free plan has no ads, subscription, or in-app purchases. The maker describes it for researchers reading papers, students working through course materials, and heavy readers handling long documents. Its source code is public on GitHub.
For and against
For
- Adjustable pace from 100 to 1,000 words per minute.
- Imports PDF, EPUB, TXT, and Markdown.
- Resumes at the exact stopping word.
- Documents and progress stay on the device.
- Free plan has no subscription or in-app purchases.
Against
- No cloud sync between devices.
- DRM-protected EPUBs cannot be imported.
- Password-protected PDFs cannot be imported.
- PDFs need a text layer; there is no OCR.
The verdict
Strobe offers adjustable RSVP pacing and tools for navigating longer documents, with on-device storage and offline reading. Check file restrictions first, especially if your PDFs lack a text layer or your EPUBs use DRM.
Who it suits
Strobe may suit researchers, students, and heavy readers who work with long-form documents. It also fits readers who want on-device document handling and offline reading.
Plans and prices
Free
No ads · No subscription · No in-app purchases · iPhone, iPad, Mac
Read 7 Oct 2026 · strobefast.app
On the record
- Accessibility
- Strobe supports VoiceOver, larger text, Reduced Motion, Dynamic Type, and keyboard controls on compatible devices.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Developer
- The site says Strobe was developed by Jaafar Abdeen.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- File limits
- DRM-protected EPUBs and password-protected PDFs cannot be imported; PDFs need a text layer because Strobe does not run OCR.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Intended readers
- The maker describes use for researchers reading papers, students reading course materials, and heavy readers handling long-form documents.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Navigation
- Readers can search passages, browse chapters, and resume from the exact word where they stopped.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Offline use
- Imported text can be read offline, and Strobe does not offer cloud sync between devices.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Strobe’s source code is public on GitHub.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Documents, reading progress, and settings stay on the device, and the app has no account, analytics, or document uploads.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Reading speed
- Reading speed is adjustable from 100 to 1,000 words per minute.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker lists [email protected] as its contact email.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Supported input
- It imports PDF, EPUB, TXT, and Markdown files and accepts pasted text.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- Timing
- Smart Timing adjusts intervals for word length, punctuation, sentence endings, and word complexity.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Strobe is an RSVP reader that presents words one at a time at a fixed point for reading PDFs, EPUBs, and text.strobefast.app · read 7 Oct 2026
