Comparison

SamlibReader vs Fablum

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

Head to head
About

SamlibReader

This app provides a convenient way to read books from the "Magazine Samizdat" website. It addresses issues with incorrect HTML markup, allowing users to customize font size and encoding for a better reading experience. It also keeps track of your reading progress and book list.

Highlights
  • Read "Magazine Samizdat" content
  • Customizable font size
  • Selectable text encoding
  • Stores reading progress
  • Maintains book list
Features
Read full description

The application is made to read the materials of the site "Magazine Samizdat" samlib.ru On the website there are many new interesting books but, unfortunately, there is an incorrect HTML markup code. It is very inconvenient to read texts in many browsers (it is impossible to increase the text size), and downloaded files in most applications reader html files are opened with the wrong encoding. The app allows you to choose the encoding and font size, and stores a list of books and a reading position.

About

Fablum

Organize and enjoy your EPUBs, PDFs, and audiobooks in a single, offline library. Discover free classics from public catalogs and import your own files. Read or listen with customizable playback options, all without an account or ads.

Highlights
  • Unified library for EPUB, PDF, and audiobooks
  • Built-in text-to-speech for EPUBs
  • Full-featured audiobook player
  • Discover and download free classics
  • Offline functionality
  • No account or ads required
  • Import custom files
Features
Read full description

Fablum is the offline, no-account library that reads, listens, and discovers. Open your own EPUBs, PDFs, and audiobooks in one place, and pull free classics straight from built-in public catalogs — all on your device, all yours once. ONE LIBRARY FOR BOOKS AND AUDIOBOOKS Your books and audiobooks live side by side. A public-domain classic becomes a single library card you can read or hear — one shelf, not two apps. Import your own EPUB and PDF files, add audiobooks, and keep everything organized with covers, search, sorting, and editable details. READ Read EPUB and PDF in a clean, focused reader with fast import, saved progress, adjustable type, and light, dark, and sepia themes. Built-in text to speech reads EPUBs aloud with playback controls, adjustable speed, and your device's own voices. LISTEN Play audiobooks with chapters, a scrubber, adjustable speed, a sleep timer, and bookmarks you can label. A mini-player keeps listening going while you browse, and playback continues in the background and on the lock screen. DISCOVER FREE CLASSICS Browse and download free ebook and audiobook classics from built-in public catalogs. Filter by EPUB, PDF, or audiobook, stream a title or keep it offline — no store account, no checkout. OFFLINE. NO ACCOUNT. YOURS ONCE. Fablum works offline. Your library and reading progress stay on your device. No account to create, no ads, no marketing tracking. Buy once and it's yours — no subscription. TRY FREE, THEN OWN IT Start free with room for 5 books. When you're ready to make Fablum your permanent library, one purchase unlocks unlimited books forever. Reading is never gated — the free tier simply limits how many books you keep at a time. WHAT'S INSIDE • EPUB, PDF, and audiobooks in one library • Built-in text to speech for EPUBs • Audiobook player: chapters, speed, sleep timer, bookmarks, background and lock-screen playback • Free ebook and audiobook classics from public catalogs (OPDS) • Import from Files and direct URLs • Search, sort, and edit book details • Reading and listening progress saved on your device • Light, dark, and sepia themes • Works offline • No account, no ads, no marketing tracking COMING NEXT More formats (FB2, DjVu), more free catalogs, optional cloud sync, and a PIN-locked private library — clearly on the roadmap, not yet shipped.

Screenshots

SamlibReader4 screens
Fablum4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SamlibReader at none against Fablum's 1. SamlibReader also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.4). Fablum's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads and device support 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. Fablum sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SamlibReader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SamlibReader ships an update every 6 weeks, Fablum every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SamlibReader versus Fablum: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSamlibReaderFablum
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better13.4
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB77 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperIvan KramarchukMad Bunnies

Customer experience

SamlibReader

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Fablum

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SamlibReader

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Fablum

One-time1
  • Fablum Unlimited$8.99

Questions

Is SamlibReader free?
SamlibReader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Fablum free?
Fablum is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SamlibReader or Fablum have ads?
Neither SamlibReader nor Fablum shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SamlibReader or Fablum?
SamlibReader ships an update every 6 weeks, and Fablum every 2 days. Most recently, SamlibReader was updated on October 21, 2026 and Fablum on October 28, 2026.

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