# FBReader vs Academic Reader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Academic Reader at none against FBReader's 2. Academic Reader also leads on rating (4.0 vs 3.7). FBReader's advantage is ratings volume (128 vs 4) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

Academic Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FBReader has 128 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

FBReader ships an update monthly, Academic Reader every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FBReader | Academic Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (128 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fbreader-epub-and-fb2-reader/id1067172178/reviews) | **[4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/academic-reader/id6738695009/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **128** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 52.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 22 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [FBReader.ORG Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1067172177) | [Glassboxx Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1547970169) |

## 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)


### Academic Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/academic-reader/id6738695009)

This application allows users to read ebooks published by Glassboxx Academic Publishers. It provides a dedicated platform for accessing and viewing academic content on mobile devices.

**Highlights:** Ebook reading, Access academic content, Glassboxx publisher support, Mobile viewing

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FBReader free?

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

### Is Academic Reader free?

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

### Which has better reviews, FBReader or Academic Reader?

Academic Reader is rated higher. FBReader averages 3.7 out of 5 from 128 ratings, while Academic Reader averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do FBReader or Academic Reader have ads?

Neither FBReader nor Academic Reader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FBReader or Academic Reader?

FBReader ships an update monthly, and Academic Reader every 6 weeks. Most recently, FBReader was updated on October 18, 2026 and Academic Reader on October 2, 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.*