Speed Reading vs Spritz
Spritz made word-at-a-time flashing famous: one word, one spot, your eyes never move, the counter says 500 WPM. It’s a neat demo — and a different activity from reading.
BetterAt’s drill keeps the thing RSVP removes: normal text, normal eye movement — plus a ten-question check so your speed number survives contact with comprehension.
Free, no account needed to start.
Side by side
| Feature | BetterAt | Spritz / RSVP |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Timed normal-layout passage, then a 10-question quiz | Flashes one word at a time in a fixed window |
| Comprehension check | Every session; WPM only counts at 8/10 or better | None |
| Eye movement | Real reading movement, optionally guided by a pacer | Eliminated — words come to you |
| Can you re-read? | Yes — it's normal text on a page | No — the stream doesn't wait |
| Transfers to books & reports | Directly — it is ordinary reading, timed | Weakly — the mechanics are different |
| Progress tracking | Best qualified WPM, history, streak | None built in |
| Price | Free to start, no account required | Free tiers exist in various apps |
The core difference
RSVP measures how fast words can be shown to you. The drill measures how fast you can read — the version of the skill that works on your bookshelf, your inbox and your exam booklet.
When RSVP still has a use
As a novelty and a warm-up it’s genuinely fun, and a few minutes of word-flashing can help break the habit of silently pronouncing every word. Treat it as a stretch, not the workout.
When to pick BetterAt
- You want a WPM number you could defend — comprehension attached, not assumed.
- You want to train with a pacer on real passage layout, not a word window.
- You want progress tracked over weeks, not a speed you dialed in once.
Frequently asked questions
What is Spritz?
Spritz popularized RSVP (rapid serial visual presentation): text is flashed one word at a time in a fixed spot, aligned on an 'optimal recognition point' so your eyes never move. The technique is built into various apps and readers.
Why look for a Spritz alternative?
RSVP inflates the speed number without building the skill. You're shown words at a rate you picked — nothing checks retention, you can't glance back at a sentence, and it's a different physical act than reading normal text. It feels fast; it doesn't transfer.
Is BetterAt's drill free?
Yes — ten sessions a day, free, no account needed. A free account adds history, best-WPM tracking and a streak.
Does BetterAt have anything like word-at-a-time flashing?
Deliberately not. Paced mode moves a highlight through normal passage layout at your target WPM — your eyes still do the reading the way real text demands, just faster.
Which is better for actual reading speed?
RSVP is a legitimate warm-up for breaking subvocalization, and it's fun to feel 600 WPM once. For the skill that matters — reading ordinary text faster with retention — a timed passage graded by ten questions is the honest instrument.
One passage, one minute, ten questions. You’ll have a real WPM number before you finish your coffee.
Try the drill free