# Transcend Smart Reader vs BoneView

The clearest difference is update cadence: Transcend Smart Reader at every 2 months against BoneView's every 8 months. Transcend Smart Reader also leads on rating (2.1 vs 1.9) and review sentiment (24% vs 14%). BoneView's advantage is ratings volume (218 vs 8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Transcend Smart Reader holds the better App Store score, 2.1 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BoneView has 218 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 24% of Transcend Smart Reader's written reviews are positive against 14% of BoneView's.

Transcend Smart Reader ships an update every 2 months, BoneView every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Transcend Smart Reader | BoneView |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.1 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/transcend-smart-reader/id1148835506/reviews)** | [1.9 (218 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boneview/id1433440882/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **218** |
| Positive reviews | **24.0% of reviews** | 14.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 8 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 46 MB | 59 MB |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Transcend Information, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/460943104) | [锦才 钟](https://appshunter.io/developer/1433440881) |

## What reviewers say

### Transcend Smart Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/transcend-smart-reader/id1148835506)

Expand your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch storage with external SD or microSD cards using a compatible card reader. This app provides an all-in-one browser for photos, videos, music, and documents, along with efficient file management and instant camera roll backups.

**Highlights:** Expand iPhone/iPad storage with SD/microSD cards, All-in-one media and document viewer, Efficient file management, Instant Camera Roll backup, Real-time storage information

**In-app purchases:** none


### BoneView

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boneview/id1433440882)

Easily manage all your files on iOS devices. Transfer files between different devices and platforms seamlessly. Backup important data like contacts and photos, and enjoy media playback directly within the app.

**Highlights:** File management for iOS, Cross-device file exchange, Contact and camera roll backup, Video and music playback, Image and document preview

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use interface and simple setup
- 🎯 Effective for viewing trail camera pictures
- 💾 Ability to save, share, and delete photos
- 🔧 Works well with new orange BoneView readers
- ⏱️ Quick access to photos in the field

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezing
- 🔌 Unreliable connection to device
- 📵 Requires WiFi despite field use claims
- ⚠️ Poor hardware durability and reliability
- 🔄 Inconsistent performance across devices

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes when deleting multiple pictures
- App crashes mid-photo viewing
- Device goes offline randomly despite active connection
- Pictures fail to load or load error messages
- App crashes when saving photos to camera roll

**Requested features**

- Delete photos while viewing individually
- Larger icon options in file mode
- Improved photo ordering by date taken
- Better offline functionality without WiFi
- Regular app updates and maintenance


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Transcend Smart Reader free?

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

### Is BoneView free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Transcend Smart Reader or BoneView?

Transcend Smart Reader is rated higher. Transcend Smart Reader averages 2.1 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while BoneView averages 1.9 from 218 ratings.

### Do Transcend Smart Reader or BoneView have ads?

Neither Transcend Smart Reader nor BoneView shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Transcend Smart Reader or BoneView?

Transcend Smart Reader ships an update every 2 months, and BoneView every 8 months. Most recently, Transcend Smart Reader was updated on October 2, 2026 and BoneView on October 11, 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.*