# FBReader vs ReadEra

The clearest difference is rating: ReadEra at 4.2 against FBReader's 3.7. ReadEra also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#111 vs unranked). FBReader's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

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

ReadEra holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 128 and 231 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of FBReader's written reviews are positive against 60% of ReadEra's.

FBReader ships an update monthly, ReadEra every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FBReader | ReadEra |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (128 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fbreader-epub-and-fb2-reader/id1067172178/reviews) | **[4.2 (231 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/readera-book-reader-pdf-epub/id1669188337/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 128 | **231** |
| Positive reviews | 52.5% of reviews | **60.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#111** |
| Size | 22 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FBReader.ORG Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1067172177) | [READERA EOOD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1667303380) |

## 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)


### ReadEra

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/readera-book-reader-pdf-epub/id1669188337)

**Currently charting:** #111 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

This app allows you to read and listen to books and documents in various formats, including PDF and EPUB. It offers text-to-speech functionality, customizable reading settings, and a built-in book manager for your library. Enjoy an ad-free and registration-free reading experience.

**Highlights:** Multi-format ebook support (EPUB, PDF, MOBI, DOCX, etc.), Text-to-Speech (TTS) for listening to books, Ad-free and registration-free experience, Offline reading capabilities, Book manager with grouping and sorting, Customizable reading settings (themes, fonts, margins)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 🔒 Privacy-respecting
- 👍 Customizable reading experience
- 👍 Offline functionality
- 👍 Intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional performance issues
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Missing key features from Android version
- 👎 Lack of organization tools (collections, folders)
- 👎 No text-to-speech or annotation features

**Reported bugs**

- Unexpected page jumps or scrolling issues
- Compatibility problems with certain file formats
- Inconsistent behavior when minimizing or locking the screen

**Requested features**

- Add text-to-speech functionality
- Implement highlighting, annotation, and lookup features
- Introduce cloud sync and cross-device syncing
- Expand font and theme options
- Add search within documents


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FBReader free?

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

### Is ReadEra free?

ReadEra is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, FBReader or ReadEra?

ReadEra is rated higher. FBReader averages 3.7 out of 5 from 128 ratings, while ReadEra averages 4.2 from 231 ratings.

### Do FBReader or ReadEra have ads?

Neither FBReader nor ReadEra shows ads.

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

FBReader ships an update monthly, and ReadEra every 2 months. Most recently, FBReader was updated on September 23, 2026 and ReadEra on September 24, 2026.

---

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