# Reader vs PDF Reader Pro

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PDF Reader Pro at 100% against Reader's 57%. PDF Reader Pro also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). Reader's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.6) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PDF Reader Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 8 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 57% of Reader's written reviews are positive against 100% of PDF Reader Pro's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Reader ships an update weekly, PDF Reader Pro every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Reader | PDF Reader Pro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reader/id1179373118/reviews)** | [3.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-pro-3d-edition/id1598489368/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **8** |
| Positive reviews | 57.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 1 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Augmented Text Company LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/459748478) | [Nirav Parmar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1596410760) |

## What reviewers say

### Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reader/id1179373118)

This app provides a distraction-free reading and annotation experience for PDF documents on iOS. Seamlessly sync your annotated files with your Mac for further editing and workflow integration via iCloud.

**Highlights:** Distraction-free reading, PDF annotation, iCloud sync with Mac, Companion to macOS app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ask AI Subscription | $1.99 | one-time |


### PDF Reader Pro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-pro-3d-edition/id1598489368)

Experience PDFs in an extraordinary 3D view with this pro PDF reader. It offers a unique 3D book-like reading experience with light and dark modes, and supports both portrait and landscape orientations. Easily share your documents with other applications.

**Highlights:** 3D PDF reading experience, Light and Dark Mode support, Portrait and Landscape orientation, Open Source, Share PDFs to other apps

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Reader free?

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

### Is PDF Reader Pro free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Reader or PDF Reader Pro?

Reader is rated higher. Reader averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while PDF Reader Pro averages 3.6 from 8 ratings.

### Do Reader or PDF Reader Pro have ads?

PDF Reader Pro shows ads; Reader does not.

### Which is updated more often, Reader or PDF Reader Pro?

Reader ships an update weekly, and PDF Reader Pro every 4 months. Most recently, Reader was updated on October 10, 2026 and PDF Reader Pro 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.*