# Hooked vs NovelZoom

The clearest difference is rating: Hooked at 4.2 against NovelZoom's 1.4. Hooked also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ads (none vs shown). NovelZoom's advantage is iOS requirement (12.4 vs 26.0). On price, in-app purchases, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Hooked sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and NovelZoom sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Hooked holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hooked has 14K ratings behind it against 54, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 24% of Hooked's written reviews are positive against 10% of NovelZoom's.

Hooked ships an update every 5 days, NovelZoom every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hooked | NovelZoom |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hooked/id1024818709/reviews)** | [1.4 (54 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novelzoom/id6479294763/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | 54 |
| Positive reviews | **23.6% of reviews** | 9.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#131** | #198 |
| Size | 12 MB | 105 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **12.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Telepathic, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/997494868) | [HK IReader Technology Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1110639431) |

## What reviewers say

### Hooked

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hooked/id1024818709)

**Currently charting:** #131 Top Grossing · Book (US App Store)

Dive into addictive, bite-size stories with bold manga-style art and cinematic panels. Choose to read, listen, or watch your favorite genres, from horror to romance. Discover your next obsession with personalized recommendations and trending charts.

**Highlights:** Bite-size, tap-through episodes, Manga-style art and cinematic panels, Read, listen, or watch formats, Diverse genres (horror, thriller, sci-fi, romance, fantasy), Personalized recommendations and trending charts, Unlimited access with subscription

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HOOKED Unlimited | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| HOOKED Unlimited | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| HOOKED Unlimited | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| HOOKED Unlimited | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Hooked Unlimited | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| HOOKED Unlimited | $7.99 | per month |
| Hooked Unlimited | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| HOOKED Unlimited | $14.99 | per month |
| HOOKED Unlimited | $14.99 | per month |
| HOOKED Unlimited | $19.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Addictive stories
- 👍 Wide range of genres
- 🚀 Immersive storytelling

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Paywall to access content
- 🕰️ Long wait times between chapters
- 🔒 Restricted access without subscription
- 💰 Expensive subscription fees

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues
- Inability to access content without paying

**Requested features**

- Bring back free user-created stories
- Offer more free content options
- Reduce subscription costs


### NovelZoom

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novelzoom/id6479294763)

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Grossing · Book (US App Store)

Access a vast library of over 10,000 stories across various genres, including romance, mystery, and fantasy. Enjoy unlimited reading anytime with a single subscription, offering a seamless and immersive storytelling experience.

**Highlights:** Unlimited subscription access, 10,000+ captivating stories, Diverse genres (romance, mystery, fantasy), Seamless reading experience, Explore boundless adventures

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Novelzoom weekly VIP | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Novelzoom weekly VIP | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| Novelzoom yearly VIP | $129.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hooked free?

Hooked is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is NovelZoom free?

NovelZoom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Hooked or NovelZoom?

Hooked is rated higher. Hooked averages 4.2 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while NovelZoom averages 1.4 from 54 ratings.

### Do Hooked or NovelZoom have ads?

NovelZoom shows ads; Hooked does not.

### Which is updated more often, Hooked or NovelZoom?

Hooked ships an update every 5 days, and NovelZoom every 3 weeks. Most recently, Hooked was updated on October 14, 2026 and NovelZoom on October 11, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Hooked or NovelZoom?

Hooked currently peaks at #131 in the App Store charts, and NovelZoom at #198. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*