Comparison

Parallel Books vs Engread

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

Head to head
About

Parallel Books

Learn a new language by reading books with side-by-side translations. This app keeps translations synchronized as you read, allowing for full immersion. Easily switch between display modes and add notes for a personalized learning experience.

Highlights
  • Dual language display
  • Synchronized translations
  • Adjustable display modes
  • Searchable notes
  • Day/night themes
  • Highlighting
Features
Read full description

Become fluent in a new language. Read a book in your new tongue while having a parallel copy in your native language handy for reference. Now thanks to Parallel Books, this technique is available on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Translations will automatically stay in sync, leaving you free to be immersed in the words on the page. Reading a book in two different languages at the same time has never been easier! - Designed for people learning a new language. - Displays a book simultaneously in two different languages. - Translations stay in sync as you read. - Stretchy, “chewing gum" overlay visually connects parallel content. - Chewing gum overlay can be hidden. - Translations can be displayed in two columns on the screen, or each translation can fill an entire screen. - Continuously scrolls or pages through content without needing to change mode. - Tapping on a paragraph shows the translation of that paragraph. - Double tapping hides tool bars, giving more space. - Multicolored highlights and searchable notes can be added. - Includes day and night themes. - Currently books are available in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Esperanto, Korean, Chinese, Arabic plus more. - Some books include multiple translations in the same language; ideal for literature and translation students. - Parallel Books is in development for other platforms. - New books are being added all the time. - All books are currently FREE.

About

Engread

Read books and other texts in English with integrated translation tools. Learn new vocabulary using flashcards and track your reading progress. Supports EPUB, web pages, and text documents.

Highlights
  • Read EPUB, web pages, and text documents
  • Built-in dictionaries and online translators
  • Translate words, phrases, and sentences
  • Learn new expressions with flashcards
  • Track reading progress
  • Offline dictionary support
Features
Read full description

Read your favorite books in English! From classics of foreign literature to your own books in EPUB format. As well as any other texts saved as web pages or text documents and downloaded to your device. Translate words, phrases and whole sentences with built-in dictionaries and online translators. Learn new expressions with flashcards, track your progress and most importantly - enjoy reading! Privacy Policy: https://engread.app/privacy-policy.en.html Terms of use: https://engread.app/terms-of-service.en.html

Screenshots

Parallel Books4 screens
Engread4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Engread at 82% against Parallel Books's 40%. Engread also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). Parallel Books's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ads and device support 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. Engread sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. Parallel Books asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Parallel Books ships an update every 3 months, Engread fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on August 28, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Parallel Books versus Engread: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterParallel BooksEngread
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (23 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews81.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings23 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB175 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperHigh Tea IT LimitedDmitrii Baranov

Customer experience

Parallel Books

All ratings77 ratings
Positive75.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative24.7%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral3.3%
Negative56.7%

Engread

All ratings23 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%

In-app purchases

None

Parallel Books

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Engread

Subscriptions3
  • 1 month$2.491 Month
  • 6 month$9.996 Months
  • 12 months$14.991 Year

Questions

Is Parallel Books free?
Parallel Books is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Engread free?
Engread is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Parallel Books or Engread have ads?
Neither Parallel Books nor Engread shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Parallel Books or Engread?
Parallel Books ships an update every 3 months, and Engread fortnightly. Most recently, Parallel Books was updated on August 28, 2026 and Engread on September 22, 2026.

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