# FBReader vs cMate

The clearest difference is price: FBReader at Free against cMate's $2.99. FBReader also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 69 months). cMate's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On review sentiment, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

FBReader is free to download; cMate costs $2.99 up front. FBReader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. cMate asks for nothing beyond the download.

FBReader ships an update monthly, cMate every 69 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FBReader | cMate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[3.7 (128 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fbreader-epub-and-fb2-reader/id1067172178/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **128** | — |
| Positive reviews | **52.5% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 69 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 22 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FBReader.ORG Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1067172177) | [Maxim Lukyanenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1496252741) |

## What reviewers say

### FBReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fbreader-epub-and-fb2-reader/id1067172178)

A fast and versatile e-book reader supporting multiple formats like ePub, Kindle, and fb2. It offers cloud syncing for reading progress and a customizable interface. Upgrade to unlock unlimited library access and advanced features.

**Highlights:** Supports ePub, Kindle azw3, fb2, RTF, Word, HTML, and text, ePub3 and Readium LCP DRM support, Cloud syncing of library and reading positions, Customizable appearance and behavior options, Direct opening of downloaded files, Free version with library limits

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FBReader Full Edition | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and smooth reading experience
- 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
- 💡 Customizable font, margin, and layout options
- 🔒 Secure syncing across devices
- 🎨 Retro background textures

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 🔧 Lack of advanced organization features (folders, shelves)
- 🚫 No PDF support
- 🔍 Inconsistent search and book discovery
- 🔒 Privacy concerns around data collection

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues with Google Drive
- Deletion of books from library
- Formatting problems with large footnotes
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**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)


### cMate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cmate-marpol/id1497034214)

Access the complete MARPOL Convention, including the latest amendments, in both English and Russian. This app offers easy navigation and a powerful search function for quick access to specific sections.

**Highlights:** Full MARPOL Convention text, Latest amendments included, Bilingual (English/Russian), Convenient search function, Easy navigation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FBReader free?

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

### Is cMate free?

cMate costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do FBReader or cMate have ads?

Neither FBReader nor cMate shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FBReader or cMate?

FBReader ships an update monthly, and cMate every 69 months. Most recently, FBReader was updated on October 13, 2026 and cMate 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.*