# Reader vs PDF Reader

The clearest difference is rating: Reader at 5.0 against PDF Reader's 3.7. Reader also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 31 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PDF Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Reader's written reviews are positive against 50% of PDF Reader's.

Reader ships an update weekly, PDF Reader every 31 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Reader | PDF Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reader/id1179373118/reviews)** | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-pdf-viewer/id6469690335/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **57.1% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 31 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Augmented Text Company LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/459748478) | [Himanshu Rupareliya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1589276692) |

## 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-pdf-viewer/id6469690335)

This application provides a comprehensive solution for managing PDF files on your mobile device. It allows for easy reading, editing, signing, printing, and sharing of documents. Enjoy offline access and a smooth reading experience with various viewing modes.

**Highlights:** Read PDFs offline, Page and continuous scrolling, Horizontal and vertical viewing, Text search and copy, Zoom in/out, Share and rename files, Print directly from phone

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly   1 Month | $1.99 | per month |
| Yearly   1 Year | $9.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Reader free?

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

### Is PDF Reader free?

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

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

Reader is rated higher. Reader averages 5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while PDF Reader averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do Reader or PDF Reader have ads?

PDF Reader shows ads; Reader does not.

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

Reader ships an update weekly, and PDF Reader every 31 months. Most recently, Reader was updated on October 24, 2026 and PDF Reader on October 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*