# Hooked vs StoryBytes Reader

The clearest difference is rating: StoryBytes Reader at 5.0 against Hooked's 4.2. StoryBytes Reader also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). Hooked's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (14K vs 1). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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 StoryBytes Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

StoryBytes Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hooked has 14K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Hooked ships an update every 5 days, StoryBytes Reader every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hooked | StoryBytes Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hooked/id1024818709/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storybytes-reader/id6756390314/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 23.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 11 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#130** | — |
| Size | 12 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Telepathic, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/997494868) | [StoryBytes, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860416814) |

## What reviewers say

### Hooked

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

**Currently charting:** #130 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


### StoryBytes Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storybytes-reader/id6756390314)

Engage with interactive stories where your decisions shape the narrative and lead to multiple endings. Perfect for quick reading sessions, this app turns idle moments into immersive adventures.

**Highlights:** Interactive stories with branching paths, Bite-sized reading sessions, Rich, interconnected story worlds, Multiple endings and high replayability, Progress saved for easy continuation, Choices shape the story

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hooked free?

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

### Is StoryBytes Reader free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Hooked or StoryBytes Reader?

StoryBytes Reader is rated higher. Hooked averages 4.2 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while StoryBytes Reader averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Hooked or StoryBytes Reader have ads?

StoryBytes Reader shows ads; Hooked does not.

### Which is updated more often, Hooked or StoryBytes Reader?

Hooked ships an update every 5 days, and StoryBytes Reader every 11 days. Most recently, Hooked was updated on October 25, 2026 and StoryBytes Reader on October 9, 2026.

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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.*