Comparison

FBReader vs Libra reader

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

Head to head
About

FBReader

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
Read full description

FBReader is a fast and easy-to-use e-book reader for iPhone and iPad. It supports all major e-book formats, including ePub (with key ePub3 features), Kindle azw3, and fb2 (.zip). You can open both unprotected books and ePub files protected with Readium LCP DRM. FBReader also reads RTF, Word (.doc), HTML, and plain text, so you can keep all your books and documents in one place. Read anywhere and pick up right where you left off. FBReader can sync your library, reading positions, bookmarks, and more across devices using the FBReader Book Network, a cloud service powered by Google Drive. If you prefer managing files yourself, you can download books in your browser and open them directly with FBReader. A wide range of appearance and behavior options lets you customize the reading experience to match your preferences. Free version and upgrade options: • The free version allows up to 10 books in your library. • The built-in translation feature is disabled. Upgrade to the full version to remove these limits and enjoy the complete FBReader experience.

About

Libra reader

Features
Read full description

Libra is a modern ebook reader and library manager for iPhone and iPad. Read the books you already own — from your device, your cloud storage, or any OPDS catalog — and keep your reading progress, highlights and notes in sync across all your devices. Key features • All major ebook formats • Read from device, cloud storage and OPDS catalogs • Comfortable, fully customizable reading • Highlights, notes and bookmarks • On-device translation • Reading sync across your devices Ebook formats • EPUB • PDF • FictionBook (fb2, fb2.zip) • MobiPocket and Kindle (mobi, azw3) • Comic Book (cbz) • Word (docx) • Markdown, HTML and plain text (md, html, txt) Your books, your storage • Locally on the device • In cloud storage: iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Yandex Disk • From OPDS catalogs and online libraries you choose • Add your own catalog, for example a Calibre content server over OPDS Comfortable reading • Light, Sepia and Dark themes • Paginated (swipe) or continuous scroll • Serif, sans-serif and monospace fonts • Adjustable font size, line height, paragraph spacing, margins, letter spacing and text alignment • Device-independent reading position that transfers correctly across screens and devices • Table of contents navigation Highlights, notes and bookmarks • Highlight passages in four colors • Attach notes to your highlights • Bookmark any page • Share and export your notes and highlights as text Library management • Organize books into custom collections • Browse by folders across all your sources • Search your library • Automatic cover and metadata extraction • Track reading status and progress, and mark books finished • Rate and review your books • Back up and restore your library Translation • Translate selected text right in the reader • Translation runs on your device — nothing leaves it Sync across your devices (Pro) • Sync your library, reading position, progress, highlights, notes, bookmarks, reviews and collections • Syncs privately through your own iCloud account — we run no server and never hold your data ——— Support: support@libra-reader.com Privacy Policy: https://libra-reader.com/privacy Terms of Service: https://libra-reader.com/terms

Screenshots

FBReader4 screens
Libra reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: FBReader at 4 against Libra reader's 2. FBReader also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. FBReader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Libra reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
FBReader versus Libra reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFBReaderLibra reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (128 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews52.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings128 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB74 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperFBReader.ORG LimitedSergei Mikhailov

Bugs and requests

FBReader

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • Vertical scrolling mode
  • Improved bookmark and annotation tools
  • Ability to add/change book covers
  • Text-to-speech functionality
  • Better library management (read/unread, collections)

Libra reader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

FBReader

One-time1
  • FBReader Full Edition2 variants$12.99
2 purchases

Libra reader

Subscriptions2
  • Libra Pro – Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Libra Pro – Yearly$19.991 Year

Questions

Is FBReader free?
FBReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Libra reader free?
Libra reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FBReader or Libra reader have ads?
Neither FBReader nor Libra reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FBReader or Libra reader?
FBReader ships an update monthly, and Libra reader monthly. Most recently, FBReader was updated on October 8, 2026 and Libra reader on October 7, 2026.

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