Comparison

PDF Reader vs UPDF

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

Head to head
About

PDF Reader

This app offers a superior PDF reading experience with its innovative Liquid Mode, which optimizes documents for mobile screens. It also provides robust tools for annotating, signing, managing, and sharing your PDF files, catering to both work and study needs.

Highlights
  • Liquid Mode for optimized mobile reading
  • Annotation tools (pencil, text, highlighting)
  • Handwritten signature insertion
  • File management (move, merge, copy, delete)
  • Cloud service integration (Wondershare, iCloud)
  • Create blank PDFs and folders
Features
Read full description

PDFelement - PDF Reader is a PDF reader using the latest technology. The newly connected Liquid Mode function allows you to enjoy the best reading experience. In addition, there are various annotation tools, file management, signature, Various functions such as cloud services can meet your PDF needs in work and study. PDF VIEWER • Liquid Mode gives you the best PDF reading experience • Star files to find them quickly • Easily locate recently accessed files in the "Recent" list. • Enter the page number to navigate to the desired page for viewing LIQUID MODE • Get the best PDF Reading experience with Liquid Mode • PDF document fully fits the mobile phone screen, no need to zoom in and out repeatedly. • Easily adjust brightness, font size,style, and spacing. ANNOTATE • Using Pencil to annotate like writing on the paper • Add text annotations, freely modify the text and background, border colors, choose the appropriate font and font size. • Supports many annotating tools like highlighting, underlining, squiggly lines, or strikethroughs. MANAGE • Move, merge, copy or delete files SIGNATURE • Enables handwritten signatures to be inserted anywhere within the document, while also offering the ability to zoom in and out for greater flexibility. • Built-in commonly used stamps CREATE • Quickly create completely blank PDF documents • Creat blank folders. SHARE • Sharing document content with others is just a click away with capture feature. • Select sentence(s) or pragraph(s) to share CLOUD SERVICE • PDF Reader supports uploading or downloading docs via computer, Wondershare document cloud and iCloud. Please note that this app only supports editing native PDF files. It does not support editing scanned or raster PDF. If you find you cannot edit text in PDF, please check if it is scanned PDF. Thank you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Need HELP? Please contact us! We'll feedback to you ASAP. Email: pdfelement@wondershare.com Support Center: http://support.wondershare.com Forum: http://forum.pdf.wondershare.com Official Website: https://pdf.wondershare.com If you think this App helps you, your positive review in the App Store would be much appreciated.

About

UPDF

This app is a powerful PDF editor for mobile devices, offering AI-powered features for summarizing, translating, and chatting with documents. It allows users to read, edit, annotate, convert, and sign PDFs, as well as scan paper documents into editable files. Manage all your PDF files and protect them with security features.

Highlights
  • AI-powered summarization and translation
  • Edit text, images, and watermarks in PDFs
  • Annotate with various markup tools
  • Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, and PPT
  • Scan documents to editable PDFs
  • Sign and fill PDF forms
  • Organize and protect PDF files
Features
Read full description

UPDF for iOS is an AI-powered PDF editor for iPhone and iPad. Read, edit, annotate, convert, sign, and AI chat with your PDFs — all from your iOS device. Summarize lengthy documents, translate full PDFs, scan paper to PDF, and manage all your files in one place. Amazing features of UPDF for iOS: Edit PDF - Edit text in PDF (change color, font style, font size) - Edit images in PDF (rotate, extract, replace, and crop images) - Edit watermark in PDF (add, edit, delete and favor watermark) - Edit links in PDF (add, edit, copy, and delete) AI Assistant - Summarize, translate, explain, and rephrase lengthy PDFs in minutes. - Engage in a chat with UPDF AI and ask it any questions you have. - Summarize or translate PDF by pages. - Export conversations to Markdown or TXT files. - NEW AI Bookmark Agent: Auto-generate bookmarks and get instant section summaries for any PDF. - NEW AI Semantic Search: Search your PDF by meaning, not just exact words. - NEW AI Editing Suite: Rewrite, refine tone, or correct grammar directly. Read PDF - Flexible reading: vertical and horizontal scrolling, single page or two-page view - Dark mode to protect your eyes - Add and manage bookmarks with AI Bookmark Agent's help - Search text in PDF - Present PDF as a slideshow - Text-to-speech support Annotate PDF - Annotate PDFs using markup tools: pencil, highlight, underline, strikethrough, squiggly line - Add text boxes, text comments, callouts, sticky notes - Add shapes, stamps, and stickers to PDFs - Free-hand drawing on PDF pages OCR PDF - Convert scanned documents and images into searchable and editable PDFs - Recognize text in 38 languages Scan to PDF - Scan physical documents to PDF with your camera - Scan ID cards onto one page - Crop, rotate, and filter scanned images Convert PDF - Convert PDF to Word, Excel, PPT, and images Organize PDF Pages - Insert, replace, extract, split, rotate, remove, and reorder pages in PDFs - Merge multiple PDFs into one file - Copy, paste, and share specific pages in a PDF Sign PDF & Fill PDF Form - Create handwritten signatures - Import and add image signatures - Fill PDF form and add e-signatures - Save signatures to cloud for cross-platform use Create PDF - Create PDF with blank, lined, dotted, grid, and graph papers - Combine multiple files/images into one PDF Protect PDF - Password-protect PDFs to restrict opening, editing, and printing - Add or remove watermarks - Add digital signatures Manage Files - Upload, create, rename, move, copy, duplicate, and organize files or folders - Unzip files by simply tapping .zip files - Search for files - Supports two-finger multiple selections and operations - Move files or folders to trash, and find deleted items in the trash - Protect PDF files with a password or unlock protected PDF files - Compress one or multiple files into a zip file Security Space - Protect your privacy by moving files or folders to Security Space - Enable Face ID & Passcode to access your Security Space Import File - Import files from Photos albums - Import files from the Files App - Transfer files from a computer over the same Wi-Fi View files in All Formats - Browse dozens of different file formats including PDFs, Office documents (.doc, .docx, .ppt, .pptx, .xls, .xlsx), Pages, Keynotes, and Numbers with a single app - Open other formats such as text, HTML, XML, Web Archive, Images (JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, SVG, BMP), video, audio *** Pro Features of In-App Purchase *** - Use UPDF across all platforms including desktops and mobiles - Free Users will get 1 GB of Cloud Storage; Paid users will get 10 GB of Cloud Storage for free - Advanced PDF features such as Convert PDF with OCR, batch process, etc. are available on the desktop - Unlimited use of Scan to PDF (Free trial only scans up to 5 pages) - Unlimited use of Security Space (Trial version stores up to 10 items) - Secure App with passcode/TouchID/FaceID Need help? Email us at support@superace.com

Screenshots

PDF Reader4 screens
UPDF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PDF Reader at none against UPDF's 13. PDF Reader also leads on ratings volume (3.9K vs 694). UPDF's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). On price, review sentiment, 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. UPDF sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. PDF Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

UPDF holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Reader has 3.9K ratings behind it against 694, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of PDF Reader's written reviews are positive against 84% of UPDF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, UPDF fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PDF Reader versus UPDF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ReaderUPDF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (3.9K ratings)4.6 (694 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.7% of reviews84.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.9K — better694
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size173 MB195 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWondershare Technology (Hunan) Co.,Ltd.Superace Software Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

PDF Reader

All ratings3,923 ratings
Positive83.1%
Neutral3.2%
Negative13.7%
Written reviews1,582 reviews
Positive76.7%
Neutral6.1%
Negative17.2%

UPDF

All ratings678 ratings
Positive90.6%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.5%
Written reviews937 reviews
Positive84.3%
Neutral5.3%
Negative10.4%

User reviews

PDF Reader

From 3.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Efficient PDF editing
  • 💡 Useful annotation tools
  • 🚀 Convenient for students/professionals
  • 👍 Great value for free app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and glitches
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns with account requirement
  • 👎 Unintuitive user interface
  • 🐛 Unreliable saving/syncing
  • 👎 Limited functionality compared to paid version

UPDF

From 694 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent PDF editor
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🔒 Secure file management
  • 💡 Powerful features like AI-powered summarization
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive performance

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or stability issues
  • 💡 Need for more customization options
  • 💡 Lack of integration with third-party cloud storage
  • 🐛 Issues with handwriting recognition and annotation

Bugs and requests

PDF Reader

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Text boxes appearing randomly
  • Inability to select/edit text in some PDFs
  • Scrolling issues and page loading delays
  • Incompatibility with certain PDF formats

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to edit text formatting (font, size, color)
  • Support for multiple open documents
  • Improved Apple Pencil integration
  • Bookmark/favorite feature for frequently used PDFs
  • Expanded cloud storage integration (OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.)

UPDF

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to edit text directly in PDF files
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between devices
  • Occasional loss of editing progress when app is minimized

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add password protection for PDF files
  • Improve file organization and folder management
  • Implement keyboard shortcuts for power users
  • Expand OCR capabilities and text extraction
  • Allow custom signature and stamp imports

In-app purchases

None

PDF Reader

No in-app purchases

13 purchases

UPDF

Subscriptions10
  • Monthly Subscription$9.991 Month
  • UPDF AI Unlimited$15.001 Month
  • UPDF AI Standard$15.001 Month
Show 7 more
  • UPDF Pro + AI Unlimited$18.991 Month
  • Quarterly Subscription$19.003 Months
  • Annual Subscription$49.991 Year
  • UPDF AI Standard$69.001 Year
  • UPDF AI Unlimited$79.001 Year
  • UPDF Pro + AI Standard$98.991 Year
  • UPDF Pro + AI Unlimited$118.991 Year
One-time3
  • Perpetual License$79.99
  • Perpetual License$128.99
  • UPDF & AI Add-on for iOS$148.99

Questions

Is PDF Reader free?
PDF Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is UPDF free?
UPDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Reader or UPDF?
UPDF is rated higher. PDF Reader averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3.9K ratings, while UPDF averages 4.6 from 694 ratings.
Do PDF Reader or UPDF have ads?
Neither PDF Reader nor UPDF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or UPDF?
PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, and UPDF fortnightly. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on October 24, 2026 and UPDF on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons