Comparison

Brain Journal vs Cambridge Reader

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

Head to head
About

Brain Journal

Features
Read full description

The Brain journal app from Oxford University Press enables you to read Brain both online and offline on your iOS device (provided you have a relevant personal subscription or institutional subscription). You can: • download issues when you’re online, so that you can read them whether you’re connected to the Internet or not • view the tables of contents for issues when you’re online, whether you have downloaded them yet or not • easily read issues from cover to cover by swiping through articles • download and read advance articles (published ahead of print) • download and read the PDF version of an article • use the in-app search feature • bookmark your favourite articles • add your own notes to articles • share articles by email or on social media About the journal Brain provides researchers and clinicians with the finest original contributions in neurology. Leading studies in neurological science are balanced with practical clinical articles. Brain’s citation rating is one of the highest for neurology journals, and it consistently publishes papers that become classics in the field. The Editorial Board reflects both the journal’s truly international readership and wide coverage. The journal is published on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain by Oxford University Press. Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide.

About

Cambridge Reader

Access your Cambridge University Press ebooks offline on your mobile device. Download videos and audio to prepare for classes. Requires web registration and login details.

Highlights
  • Access Cambridge ebooks offline
  • Download videos and audio
  • View enhanced online content
  • Requires web registration
  • Supports iOS 11.0+
Features
Read full description

Developed for Cambridge University Press online subscription services, the Cambridge Reader App allows you to access your Cambridge Elevate, Go and Cambridge Learn Premium ebooks wherever you are. Downloading the Cambridge Reader app allows you to: • Access all of your favourite Cambridge ebooks directly from your mobile device • Have confidence that your content will be there - even if you lose internet access • Prepare for classes by downloading videos and audio to the app in advance To use the app you first need to register your account on the web using a PC or Mac. The minimum OS version supported by the Cambridge Reader App is iOS 11.0. If you already have a student or teacher account, you can log in, view your books from a phone and download enhanced online content, including videos, files, interactive activities and image galleries. This app will work once you have been sent login details and accepted the EULA and Terms of Use online.

Screenshots

Brain Journal4 screens
Cambridge Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Cambridge Reader at none against Brain Journal's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Brain Journal ships an update every 8 months, Cambridge Reader every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Brain Journal versus Cambridge Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrain JournalCambridge Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating—2.5 (52 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—9.8% of reviews
Number of ratings—52 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 6 months — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB96 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperOxford University PressCambridge University Press & Assessment (App)

Bugs and requests

Brain Journal

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Cambridge Reader

Reported bugs

42 issues
  • Randomly goes back a page
  • App doesn't fit screen
  • Cannot split screen
  • App glitches and freezes
  • App crashes frequently
Show 37 more
  • Books disappear or don't load
  • Login issues (invalid credentials, password problems, spaces in password)
  • App reloads after switching apps
  • Textbooks not showing up
  • Outdated codes
  • Cannot register/add books
  • Pages not loading
  • App resets when closed
  • Notes disappear
  • Cannot scroll horizontally
  • Lack of landscape mode
  • Lack of zoom functionality
  • App is slow and laggy
  • App doesn't support split screen
  • App quits unexpectedly
  • Book codes not working
  • Book codes need to be entered every time
  • Cannot download more than a few books
  • Page select/scroll bar is difficult to use
  • Books not appearing in account after login
  • App doesn't show full page
  • Password reset not available
  • App doesn't work on iPad
  • App is worse than previous version
  • Cannot zoom out
  • App doesn't allow horizontal scrolling
  • Updated version available but book doesn't update
  • Cannot flip to next pages
  • App pauses the screen
  • Login loop with Cambridge.go account
  • Book disappears after adding both workbook and student book
  • Bookmark not showing
  • App is not compatible with iPhone 7 screen size
  • UI is clunky
  • Page closes when touched the wrong way
  • App is skunk
  • User interface looks like ayoos

Requested features

11 requests
  • Add landscape mode for iPhones
  • Allow split screen functionality
  • Improve scrolling (horizontal and vertical)
  • Fix page loading issues
  • Enable note-taking within the app
Show 6 more
  • Improve zoom functionality
  • Add animations
  • Fix issues with adding books/resources
  • Allow access to all subscribed titles on mobile
  • Make the app fill the whole screen on iPad Pros
  • Add password reset functionality

In-app purchases

None

Brain Journal

No in-app purchases

None

Cambridge Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Brain Journal free?
Brain Journal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cambridge Reader free?
Cambridge Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Brain Journal or Cambridge Reader have ads?
Brain Journal shows ads; Cambridge Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, Brain Journal or Cambridge Reader?
Brain Journal ships an update every 8 months, and Cambridge Reader every 6 months. Most recently, Brain Journal was updated on October 11, 2026 and Cambridge Reader on October 14, 2026.

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