FocusReader
FocusReader is a browser extension that extracts article content into a cleaner reading view.
What FocusReader is
FocusReader is a browser extension that extracts article content into a cleaner reading view. It supports pages from Medium, Substack, blogs, and news sites, with Reader Mode available from the browser toolbar, popup button, or Alt+R shortcut. The free version includes light and dark themes, Serif, Sans-Serif, and Monospace fonts, adjustable text size, reading progress, offline reading, and a reading list holding up to 10 articles. Heavy JavaScript pages may fail to parse, paywalled material may be blocked, and some websites block reader-mode extensions. The extension needs Active Tab permission to read the current page and Storage permission for local settings and reading-list data. Its privacy policy says those settings and list data remain on the device, while anonymous events, domains, and extension details are collected through PostHog; analytics can be disabled. The policy states GDPR and CCPA compliance. A PRO plan is planned with AI summaries, text-to-speech, highlights, unlimited saved articles, a focus timer, cloud sync, and export, but no price is listed.
Good
- Extracts articles from several common site types
- Light and dark reading themes
- Three font styles with size controls
- Offline reading supported
- Analytics can be disabled
Watch out
- Free reading list holds 10 articles
- Heavy JavaScript pages may not parse
- Paywalled content may be blocked
- Some sites block reader extensions
Who it suits
It suits students, professionals, researchers, news readers, and anyone wanting less clutter while reading web articles. Readers who need offline access and basic typography controls can use the free version.
Verdict
FocusReader provides a focused browser reading view with useful typography, progress, and offline features at no cost. Parsing and site-access limitations are worth checking for the pages you read most.
Plans and prices
From FocusReader's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Reader Mode · dark/light themes · 3 font styles · reading list up to 10 articles · reading progress tracking |
| PRO | Priced on request | Planned features include AI summaries, AI text-to-speech, smart highlights, unlimited reading list, focus timer, cloud sync and export |
The facts
Each one read from FocusReader's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Activation
- Reader Mode can be activated from the browser toolbar, from the popup button, or by the Alt+R keyboard shortcut.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Article parsing
- It extracts article content from websites and supports sites such as Medium, Substack, blogs and news sites.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limits
- Heavy JavaScript pages may not parse correctly, paywalled content may be blocked, and some sites block reader mode extensions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- The privacy policy states that Focus Reader complies with GDPR and CCPA.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can choose Serif, Sans-Serif or Monospace fonts, adjust font size, and switch between light and dark themes.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The Chrome Web Store listing describes it for students, professionals, news readers, book lovers, researchers and people seeking less cluttered web reading.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Permissions
- The help page says the extension needs Active Tab access to read the current page and Storage to save settings and the reading list locally.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says settings and reading-list data stay on the device, while anonymous usage events, website domains and extension details are collected through PostHog; analytics can be disabled.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Focus Reader turns web articles into a clean, distraction-free reading view.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Reading features
- The available free version includes reading mode, dark/light themes, three font styles, reading progress and saving up to 10 articles.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- General support is available at [email protected].checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Company
- The Chrome Web Store lists the developer as TechMode LLC, at Nazarbayev street 28a, Almaty 050039, Kazakhstan.checked 4 Oct 2026
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