# PDF Reader vs Simple Pdf

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PDF Reader at none against Simple Pdf's 3. Simple Pdf's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 112 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Simple Pdf sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. PDF Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

PDF Reader ships an update every 112 months, Simple Pdf every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Reader | Simple Pdf |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.2 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-pdf-reader/id1513739391/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **6** |
| Positive reviews | — | 28.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 112 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 10 MB | 75 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aishvarya Sadasivam](https://appshunter.io/developer/1062048241) | [AMARDEEP DHILLON](https://appshunter.io/developer/999752727) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-simple/id1084659776)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Simple Pdf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-pdf-reader/id1513739391)

Easily view, manage, and create PDF files. This app allows you to open local PDFs, load them from the internet, and even scan documents with your camera. It also supports merging, splitting, converting PDFs to images, and adding signatures.

**Highlights:** View local PDF files, Scan documents and convert to PDF, Merge and split PDF files, Convert PDF to images, Add digital signatures, Organize and manage files

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock all features | $3.99 | per month |
| Unlock feature yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Remove ads | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Reader free?

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

### Is Simple Pdf free?

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

### Do PDF Reader or Simple Pdf have ads?

Both PDF Reader and Simple Pdf show ads.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or Simple Pdf?

PDF Reader ships an update every 112 months, and Simple Pdf every 5 months. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on September 26, 2026 and Simple Pdf on September 28, 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.*