# FBReader: ePub and fb2 reader — user reviews > 185 indexed App Store user reviews of FBReader by FBReader.ORG Limited, rated 3.70/5 from 128 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fbreader-epub-and-fb2-reader/id1067172178/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fbreader-epub-and-fb2-reader/id1067172178.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 63 · 4★ 20 · 3★ 12 · 2★ 8 · 1★ 25 ## What do users think of FBReader? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Fast and smooth reading experience - 👍 Simple and intuitive interface - 💡 Customizable font, margin, and layout options - 🔒 Secure syncing across devices - 🎨 Retro background textures **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes - 🔧 Lack of advanced organization features (folders, shelves) - 🚫 No PDF support - 🔍 Inconsistent search and book discovery - 🔒 Privacy concerns around data collection **Commonly reported bugs** - Syncing issues with Google Drive - Deletion of books from library - Formatting problems with large footnotes - Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions **Most requested features** - Vertical scrolling mode - Improved bookmark and annotation tools - Ability to add/change book covers - Text-to-speech functionality - Better library management (read/unread, collections) ## Newest reviews (16 of 185) ### 2/5 — Missing shift-select text *2026-07-05, version 2.1.5* First thing I tried to do didn’t work, immediately uninstalled. I needed to copy a couple pages to the clipboard. No luck, you can’t shift-select text. App *only* allows you to highlight what you can see within your current view. ### 3/5 — Stupidest timeline *2026-04-10, version 1.2.6* You would think following numerical order would be easy for apps but they all seem to had an aneurysm so the go 1 thens tens then two. ### 2/5 — Bad design, multiple bugs *2026-03-25, version 2.1.5* FBReader suffers from poor design decisions and a number of recurring bugs that negatively impact the overall user experience. Basic interactions feel unintuitive, and the app does not always behave as expected. Additionally, support is slow and unresponsive, making it difficult to resolve issues in a timely manner. ### 4/5 — Almost on Par *2026-02-20, version 1.2.5* Been a user on Android for well over a decade. Good to see so many features supported here! Just a few missing features that I'd like to see, though (assuming I buy the premium version for full library support, that is): rotation options and a light/dark mode button that can both be independent from system settings, somewhere to see bookmarks across all books, and an option to use the old-style footer progress indicator (the box(es) with a transparent background). Would love to see these gaps filled soon! ### 2/5 — Keeps crashing *2026-02-07, version 1.2.5* Was looking for an app to sort books by series and this app does do that. I tried the free version (limited to ten books) and it worked so I used the in app purchase. With the ten book limit gone I loaded my library of epubs. After that the app kept crashing and was unusable. I have attempted to cancel using report a problem and hope that worked because the only reason for cancelling I could use is “other”. ### 2/5 — what is going on? *2025-11-28* I can’t even open the app. It started a few days ago. And you still didn’t solve the problem. I always consider this app as the best one, but not now. Hope you will do something about it. ### 4/5 — Good! *2025-10-14, version 1.2.5* Please add an option to upload or change a book cover. It would be very helpful! ### 4/5 — Great app, just needs one tweak! *2025-07-16, version 2.1.3* This is a great app to put all your ebooks on it. Two things that it is missing which are essential to a good library is: 1) The ability to keyword search all or a group of the books in your library. Currently only keyword search is availabe for the current book you're in. 2) The ability to organize the books in some way. ie. cookbooks, fiction, etc. Thanks a lot and keep up the good work! ### 4/5 — Kleiner, sehr guter Reader *2025-04-21* Eigentlich alles gut, kenne ihn schon aus einer anderen Welt und vermisse daher so einiges. Leider keine Favoriten oder gar eigene Sammlungen. Bitte wenigstens die Anzahl zuletzt gelesene Bücher von 12 erhöhen oder auch dass man Bücher aus dieser Ansicht herausnehmen kann ### 2/5 — The “sync” requires a Google account. *2025-04-16* Libraries on Dropbox or iCloud not supported. Sync via Dropbox or iCloud not supported, at least no options for it. Nah, don’t need this. ### 2/5 — it‘s too old *2025-04-04* It was the best reading software I've ever used more than 10 years ago, but it's too old for now, and some of the experiences are still the same as in the past, which can't be adapted to today's mobile phones, especially Apple's mobile phones. For example, in the page flip, up and down page flip is as difficult to use as the computer crash, and can not batch select files, the ui interface is also very old! ### 4/5 — Einfach und datensparam *2025-04-02* Einfacher Ebook-Reader ohne viel Schnickschnack. Vorteil: Lt. Website der Entwickler werden keine Daten an Drittte weitergegeben ### 2/5 — Nao tem tradução portugues *2025-03-24* Nao tem a tradução como descrito no suporte para baixar ### 3/5 — No PDF Support *2025-02-20, version 1.2.2* Looks like it could’ve been a great solution, but the surprising lack of native PDF support means it’s not suitable for my needs ### 2/5 — Good ebook reader but still no OPDS *2025-02-09* Really good. My favorite reader so far. But without OPDS useless. All other ebook reader support this also on Apple devices. Please bring an update with OPDS to connect to Calibre. Then again 5 stars!! ### 4/5 — И *2025-02-01* Люблю это приложение и уже давно приобрела полную версию. Но так же хотелось бы чтоб на iOS появились пометки,чтоб отмечать места которые понравились и исправить непроизвольное изменение формата. Стал сам менять формат на отступы … пока ставлю 4 звезды ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Doesn’t support batch importing. Dropping this app completely. *2026-07-09* It may sound dramatic, but after realizing you can only import books one at a time I’m changing my review to 1 star. Every other reader does this fine, but FBReader simply does not support it without using a desktop computer. 1/5 dont recommend. ### 1/5 — Bookmarks Don’t Work *2026-06-12, version 1.2.6* I’ve purchased the app thinking that would enable bookmarks, it doesn’t, bookmarks are still disabled. ### 1/5 — виділені закладки неможливо видалити *2025-11-29* просто гівно а не додаток. немає необхідних налаштувань, неможливо видалити закладку. взагалі незручний додаток ### 1/5 — With iOS 26 crashes and slow *2025-10-03, version 1.2.5* Crashes many times a day now. Also I have to wait several seconds for the book page to open when switching apps. This is quite a regression. ### 1/5 — Completely useless *2025-06-24, version 1.2.2* For such a simple application this is just flat out useless as an iPad reading solution. The vertical scrolling option is so jerky it gives me headaches. Don’t waste your time, find something better ### 1/5 — Keeps crashing *2025-06-10, version 1.2.2* A few years ago it was my favourite reader, now it is not usable, keeps crashing and customer support non-existent. ### 1/5 — Purchased pro and still can’t access all my books. Can’t even refund right now, it’s bugging out *2025-02-06, version 1.2.2* Sigh ### 1/5 — Disappointed with this app *2025-01-31, version 1.2.2* Please add a text to speech feature for this app. I paid for the upgrade to help improve the app. Would really appreciate that feature. Thank you. ### 1/5 — Good reader but *2024-12-25, version 1.2.2* Probably the best alternative reader coming from Android, BUT there is a huge but, for some books, when I press the book it crashes before it opens, is it a free version issue? I don’t want to buy it and then face the same issue. Please help. ### 1/5 — Приложение требует деньги *2024-09-08* Купил это приложение достаточное количество лет назад, в разделе «Встроенные покупки» показывает, что приложение куплено. Но, регулярно (открываю приложение раз в сутки перед сном, чтобы почитать книгу) внизу всплывает сообщение о том, что полную версию приложения нужно купить! Что за дела?! **Developer response:** https://fbreader.org/faq/question/paid-versions/ios/activation ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — The ONLY E-Book Eeader That Supports Volume Buttons to Turn Pages & Custom Gesture Zones. *2026-05-09, version 1.2.6* I like to grip my iPad from the front of the screen while reading books. I find it unnatural and difficult to support the weight while only holding the edges; so being able to disable touch controls entirely and only using volume buttons, OR limiting touch interactivity to only a small portion of the screen is an absolute must. This is the only reader app that supports this on iOS. Not sure why those features are basically not available on iOS, but I came from android where those features are commonplace. So after switching to an iPad, finding this app was a godsend. ### 5/5 — Для русских,кто хочет полную версию *2026-05-08, version 1.2.6* Для начала заходим в оплаты и меняем регион на СШа,если у вас как и у меня нет подписок,то выбираем город сша,индекс (все это можно найти с помощью карты Гугл,любой адрес в городе сша с индексом,номер придумайте. Способ оплаты выбираете -нет.Далее перезагружаем телефон,проверяем что стоит регион сша. Далее покупаем на вб карту оплаты для эпл. Можно 15$,вам приходит в чат с продавцом код,вы заходите в апстор и выбираете погасить подарочную карту-вписываете код,который прислал продавец и нажимаете оплатить. На ваш счет зачислят 15$,далее в приложении апстор находим нашу читалку и нажимаем оплатить. Все,оплата прошла. И вы обладатель полной версии. Но если смените регион,все подписки исчезнут. Будьте внимательны ### 5/5 — FBReader *2026-01-07* I love your application. The interface is simple. I would love to see PDF support. Otherwise, that is very smooth the use. Keep up with great updates. Thank you ### 5/5 — Truly free *2025-10-27, version 1.2.5* Thank you so much for a truly free version that can actually be used, without a thousand ads or interruptions. Everything works perfectly and I hope to buy the paid version as soon as I can. I love the app, the font options, how easy it is to import, and more. Magical!!! ### 5/5 — Still the best *2025-08-11, version 1.2.3* Been using FBReader since I had the original Apple IPad Air. It still works 10 years later in Apple, Android and PC. I just upgraded to a galaxy tab 10+ and it still works like a champ ### 5/5 — Quality app with lots of features *2024-07-07, version 1.1.11* I tried this app primarily because I was looking for a solution for syncing my library and reading progress between my iPhone and an Android eink device. Syncing works great! I was initially put off by the default appearance of the reading mode, but a bit of tinkering in the extensive settings got things tailored to my liking. I do wish basic text settings like font and margins were available directly from the reading view so you could see the results as you adjust them, but a few trips back and forth to the settings eventually got things looking very Kindle-like, which I prefer. I appreciated that almost everything could be tweaked, even the appearance of the progress indicator. Most importantly, this app gets the basics right, and on so many platforms it’s kind of insane. I’ve installed FBReader on Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, and Linux. It’s probably not the absolute best reading app on any platform, but it’s the only good option that is available nearly everywhere. Books and progress sync fast, and use your own Google Drive space so they don’t charge a subscription. Despite its somewhat ugly defaults and strange UI choices, I’m grateful this app exists. ### 5/5 — Superb! *2024-06-23, version 1.1.11* The best epub / mobile reader out there. Can't get PDFs to display, but that's not what I want in my E-Book reader anyway. Love the retro background textures too! ### 5/5 — So straightforward and privacy respecting *2024-06-22, version 1.1.11* So straightforward, no frills, no fluff, no lag or distractions. It just works. There’s no function to highlight or save notes, but I really don’t miss it. It’s really nice to have an ereader this simple on the market. I use it on multiple devices and am very happy with this purchase. ### 5/5 — Best Cross-Platform Synced Reader *2024-06-12, version 2.0.5* I looked high and low for an app that could sync my reading position quickly and easily between my Android eink reader, my iPhone, and my Mac. This is the only app I found that supports all those platforms, plus several more like Windows and Linux. I don’t love the default text appearance settings but it has a full featured options and I was able to get it dialed in the way I like. The cloud syncing features are smartly implemented using your own Google Drive space and don't require a separate subscription. It's not the absolute best ereading app on any platform, but it's the ONLY good-enough one that is on ALL the platforms. ### 5/5 — A World-Class App? *2024-02-25* In a world where cheap knock-off ebook readers abound, this one stands out like a shining beacon of competency. No greedy “subscriptions!” Yay! Just an honest price for a great program. There really is no downside to this functional, versatile app and it’s well designed user interface. It took a LONG time to find the best. You don’t have to. Just try the free version and you’ll be buying the full version in no time. But … In spite of all the things it does well, there is one glaring feature omission: something it apparently doesn’t do at all. It does not read to you. For the price, this is puzzling. It’s even more puzzling in that the iPhone contains literally dozens of excellent voices. It can even be configured so that screens are audibly read to you. So then, developers, I ask you: How hard can it be to bridge your excellent app to the iPhone native voice synthesis features and create an ebook reader that actually reads? And why has this not been introduced? We want it. Take an already great product and make it world class. But don’t raise the price. For that price it should already have text to speech capability. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*