Comparison

Reader vs GlassBrowser

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Reader

Features
Read full description

Reader A clean, distraction-free reading app for the books already on your device. Reader opens the formats your library is actually in — EPUB, plain text, Markdown, FictionBook, Mobipocket, and Kindle files — without requiring an account, a subscription, or an internet connection. Your books stay where they are. Designed for reading Pages are laid out in native text, not a web view. Font size, line spacing, and theme adapt to your preference and look right at any screen size. Rotate freely — Reader reflows to the new dimensions and returns you to the exact sentence you were on. Your whole library, one place Import a book once; Reader keeps it ready to open. Drag a file in from Files or Finder, pick it from the share sheet, or open it directly in place — whichever fits how you work. Focused, not cluttered The interface stays out of the way while you read. A tap brings up the progress bar, chapter title, and navigation. Another tap, and it's gone. Private by design Reader has no network access and requests no permissions beyond the files you explicitly open. Nothing leaves your device.

About

GlassBrowser

Organize your favorite websites into live canvases for quick access. Switch to a full-screen browsing experience with Focus Mode. Designed for Apple devices, it offers enhanced privacy and a beautiful, distraction-free interface.

Highlights
  • Live Canvas for website organization
  • Focus Mode for full-screen browsing
  • Enhanced private browsing
  • Apple-first design
  • Flexible workspaces
  • Native iPhone and iPad experience
Features
Read full description

GlassBrowser is a modern browser built around live website canvases. Instead of managing endless tabs, organize your favorite websites in a single workspace and switch instantly into Focus Mode whenever you want a traditional full-screen browsing experience. Watch videos, monitor dashboards, browse the web, and stay productive with a browser designed specifically for Apple devices. Fast. Private. Beautiful. FEATURES • Live Canvas Arrange multiple websites in one elegant workspace. • Focus Mode Expand any website into a full browsing experience with a single tap. • Private Browsing Browse with enhanced privacy and support for reduced tracking. • Beautiful Apple-First Design Crafted for iPhone and iPad with smooth animations, dark mode support, and a clean, distraction-free interface. • Flexible Workspaces Create layouts that fit the way you browse, work, and organize information. • Built for Apple Devices Designed specifically for iPhone and iPad with a native experience throughout. GLASSBROWSER PRO Unlock additional windows, saved layouts, advanced customization, and future premium capabilities with a one-time upgrade.

Screenshots

Reader4 screens
GlassBrowser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Reader at none against GlassBrowser's 1. Reader also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.4). GlassBrowser's advantage is device support (5 vs 3). On price, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. GlassBrowser sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Reader versus GlassBrowser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReaderGlassBrowser
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer小康 刘Vincent Galeano

In-app purchases

None

Reader

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

GlassBrowser

One-time1
  • GlassBrowser Pro$9.99

Questions

Is Reader free?
Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GlassBrowser free?
GlassBrowser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Reader or GlassBrowser have ads?
Neither Reader nor GlassBrowser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reader or GlassBrowser?
Reader ships an update monthly, and GlassBrowser monthly. Most recently, Reader was updated on November 1, 2026 and GlassBrowser on October 31, 2026.

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