# FBReader vs iRead

The clearest difference is rating: FBReader at 3.7 against iRead's 3.0. FBReader also leads on ratings volume (129 vs 2) and update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months). iRead's advantage is review sentiment (70% vs 52%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FBReader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and iRead sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

FBReader holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FBReader has 129 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 52% of FBReader's written reviews are positive against 70% of iRead's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

FBReader ships an update monthly, iRead every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FBReader | iRead |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.7 (129 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fbreader-epub-and-fb2-reader/id1067172178/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iread-minimalist-pdf-reader/id6736560524/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **129** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 52.5% of reviews | **70.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 22 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FBReader.ORG Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1067172177) | [Oguz Doruk](https://appshunter.io/developer/1378383070) |

## 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)


### iRead

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iread-minimalist-pdf-reader/id6736560524)

A minimalist PDF reader offering a distraction-free reading experience with customizable fonts and themes. Easily import and navigate documents for study, work, or leisure.

**Highlights:** Distraction-free reading, Customizable font size, Light and dark modes, Intuitive page navigation, Effortless PDF import

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| iRead Premium (Monthly) | $1.99 | per month |
| iRead Premium (Annual) | $9.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FBReader free?

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

### Is iRead free?

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

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

FBReader is rated higher. FBReader averages 3.7 out of 5 from 129 ratings, while iRead averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do FBReader or iRead have ads?

Neither FBReader nor iRead shows ads.

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

FBReader ships an update monthly, and iRead every 5 months. Most recently, FBReader was updated on October 26, 2026 and iRead on October 24, 2026.

---

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