# SubReader vs Live Transcribe +

The clearest difference is rating: Live Transcribe + at 4.6 against SubReader's 2.8. Live Transcribe + also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (799 vs 4). SubReader's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SubReader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Live Transcribe + sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Live Transcribe + holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Live Transcribe + has 799 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of SubReader's written reviews are positive against 35% of Live Transcribe +'s.

SubReader ships an update every 3 weeks, Live Transcribe + every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SubReader | Live Transcribe + |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subreader/id1105856178/reviews) | **[4.6 (799 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/live-transcribe-plus/id1618181875/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **799** |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | **35.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 28 MB | 47 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Subreader ApS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1105856177) | [Zerovik](https://appshunter.io/developer/1819093753) |

## What reviewers say

### SubReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subreader/id1105856178)

This app reads subtitles aloud for movies and shows, enhancing accessibility for viewers. It works with major streaming services, in cinemas, and for personal movie collections. A premium subscription unlocks advanced AI voices and full streaming service access.

**Highlights:** Reads subtitles aloud, Works with streaming services, Cinema subtitle support, AI-powered voices, Anonymous usage, Free for cinema use

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SubReader Plus | $5.99 | per month |
| SubReader Plus | $5.99 | per month |
| SubReader Plus | $37.99 | per year |


### Live Transcribe +

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/live-transcribe-plus/id1618181875)

This app provides real-time speech-to-text transcription and live captioning. It uses AI to convert spoken words into readable text, making communication accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, students, and professionals. Features include offline transcription, dictation, and exportable text.

**Highlights:** Real-time transcription, Live captioning, Offline transcription, Speech to text dictation, Exportable text, Light and dark mode

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Access | $3.99 | per month |
| Full Access | $9.99 | per month |
| Full Access | $29.99 | per year |
| Full Access | $39.99 | per year |
| Full Access | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Helpful for hard of hearing individuals
- 👨‍⚕️ Praised by medical professionals
- 🎯 Accurate transcription in quiet environments
- 📱 Works well on multiple devices for some users
- 💬 Useful for conversations with unclear speakers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model ($29-40/year)
- 🐛 Frequent lag and transcription errors
- 📱 Inconsistent performance across devices (iPad issues)
- ⚠️ Unreliable in noisy environments
- 🚫 Not free on iOS (free on Android)

**Reported bugs**

- Transcription gaps and missing words
- App stops working after trial period without clear subscription info
- Text corrections get erased when keyboard is dismissed
- Words with double letters display as censored
- Skips back and forth in transcription

**Requested features**

- Custom dictionary for frequently used words
- Screen auto-rotation capability
- Free tier or free option for disabled users
- Additional language support (Malayalam, etc.)
- Ability to edit and correct transcripts


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SubReader free?

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

### Is Live Transcribe + free?

Live Transcribe + is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SubReader or Live Transcribe +?

Live Transcribe + is rated higher. SubReader averages 2.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Live Transcribe + averages 4.6 from 799 ratings.

### Do SubReader or Live Transcribe + have ads?

SubReader shows ads; Live Transcribe + does not.

### Which is updated more often, SubReader or Live Transcribe +?

SubReader ships an update every 3 weeks, and Live Transcribe + every 6 weeks. Most recently, SubReader was updated on November 2, 2026 and Live Transcribe + on November 7, 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.*