Comparison

Panels vs Epub Reader

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

Head to head
About

Panels

Enhance your comic and manga reading with a clean, customizable interface. Enjoy universal file compatibility, cross-device syncing, and advanced reading presets. Organize your library, secure your content, and import from various cloud services and local networks.

Highlights
  • Universal file compatibility (CBR, CBZ, PDF, ePUB)
  • Cross-device reading progress sync
  • iCloud Drive integration
  • Customizable reading presets
  • Right-to-left reading for manga
  • OPDS server support
  • Content security with password/Face ID
Features
Read full description

Improve your comic reading experience with Panels. Enjoy reading your favorite titles in a clean and delightful interface, with plenty of customization and advanced features — fully DRM-free, with first-class support for OPDS, your own library, and your own files. Key features: - Universal Compatibility: Support for most common comic types: CBR, CBZ, CB7, PDF and comic ePUB (not text eBook). Support for multiple image formats, including WebP. - Cross-Device Sync: Synchronize your reading progress across iPhone, iPad and Mac and resume reading exactly where you left off. - Full iCloud Drive support: store your entire library on iCloud and access it from different devices. - Library Organization: Effortlessly manage your comic library with intuitive tools for easy navigation, custom folder colors, logos and cover images. * Themes: support for Light and Dark modes, and many others. * Reading Presets: Choose from a multitude of reading presets or create your own, including horizontal, vertical, or panel-by-panel guided view. - Right to Left reading (manga): read any comic with Panels. * OPDS support: Stream, search and download comics from your OPDS compatible server (Komga, Kavita, Codex, Ubooquity and others). * Secure your content: Keep files locked using a password or Face ID for your collections and files. Use Incognito mode to keep your reading sessions hidden. * Live Text and Subject detection. * Experimental Features: Access experimental features like panel-by-panel navigation. Panels Store — DRM-free comics from independent creators: - Browse and buy comics directly inside Panels, no extra apps or accounts. - 100% DRM-free: every purchase is yours to keep, read offline and back up. - Creators keep 80% of revenue, so your purchases directly support the people making the comics. - Purchased issues are added to your library and sync across your devices automatically. Native support for importing files from: * iCloud Drive * Dropbox * Microsoft OneDrive - Substack * OPDS: Komga, Kavita, Codex and others * Local network shared files and folders via SMB and Embedded web server - iTunes - External drives - Airdrop - Drag&Drop from other apps Page Filters: * Reduce Noise * Increase Sharpness * Reduce Moiré * Crop Borders * Require an active subscription or a one-time purchase. • You may purchase an Auto-Renewing Subscription to unlock all the premium features while it\'s active; or a one-off purchase to unlock the current major version features forever. • Your subscription will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and will automatically renew (at the duration selected) unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Current subscription may not be cancelled during the active subscription period; however, you can manage your subscription and/or turn off auto-renewal by visiting your iTunes Account Settings after purchase • Read our privacy policy and terms of use: https://panels.app/privacy / https://panels.app/terms

About

Epub Reader

This app offers a seamless reading experience for various ebook formats including EPUB, PDF, and CHM. It supports multiple compression formats and provides features like table of contents, note-taking, and bookmarking. Customize your reading with adjustable font sizes.

Highlights
  • Supports EPUB, PDF, CHM, RTF formats
  • Opens compressed files (ZIP, RAR, 7Zip)
  • Table of Contents navigation
  • Note-taking functionality
  • Bookmark management
  • Customizable font size
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Epub Reader: Ultimate Ebook & Comic Viewer Experience seamless reading with a powerful, all-in-one document viewer designed for iOS. Now fully compatible with Kindle and Amazon ebook formats! All-in-One Format Support • Kindle Formats: MOBI, AZW, AZW3, AZW4, PRC • Ebooks & Docs: EPUB, PDF, CHM, RTF • Comics & Archives: CBZ, CBR, ZIP, RAR, 7Z, GZIP, TAR Key Features: • Smart Navigation: Effortlessly browse and skip chapters with the interactive Table of Contents. • Personalized Reading: Highlight text, take inline notes, and save your favorite pages with bookmarks. • Fully Customizable: Adjust font sizes and layouts to read comfortably, day or night. • Easy File Transfer: Instantly import books via Wi-Fi (desktop browser) or iTunes File Sharing. #Permanent professional version: * Make a one-time purchase and resume purchases anytime, anywhere. #Annual professional version: * Annual auto-renewable subscription, automatic renewal upon expiration. * Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://junjie-5cfc2.web.app/epubreader/privacypolicy.html Terms of Use: https://junjie-5cfc2.web.app/epubreader/terms.html Contact us: marryapps@163.com

Screenshots

Panels4 screens
Epub Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Panels at none against Epub Reader's shown. Panels also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (70% vs 55%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Panels sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and Epub Reader sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Panels holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13K and 11K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Panels's written reviews are positive against 55% of Epub Reader's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Panels ships an update every 8 days, Epub Reader every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Panels versus Epub Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPanelsEpub Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (13K ratings) — better4.5 (11K ratings)
Positive reviews70.3% of reviews — better55.2% of reviews
Number of ratings13K — better11K
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#169#143 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size166 MB91 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperProdukt Studio俐 马

Customer experience

Panels

All ratings12,528 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral1.8%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews1,133 reviews
Positive70.3%
Neutral9.5%
Negative20.1%

Epub Reader

All ratings11,247 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral3.6%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews1,079 reviews
Positive55.2%
Neutral10.4%
Negative34.4%

User reviews

Panels

From 13K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth and responsive
  • 👍 Clean and modern UI
  • 💡 Useful features like panel view and vertical scrolling
  • 🔒 No ads in paid version
  • 👍 Good import and organization options

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🔒 Useful features locked behind paywall
  • 🔒 Subscription model instead of one-time purchase
  • 🐛 Issues with page navigation and zoom
  • 🐛 Problems with reading right-to-left content

Epub Reader

From 11K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 💡 Convenient file transfer via WiFi
  • 🤩 Great for casual reading

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Loses bookmarks and reading progress
  • 🔍 Lacks search functionality
  • 🌗 No dark mode option
  • 📏 Limited customization options
  • 💤 Doesn't remember last read position

Bugs and requests

Panels

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes when opening large files
  • Issues with page order and navigation
  • Problems with zooming and scrolling
  • Syncing and importing bugs
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Ability to create sub-folders and nested collections
  • Automatic sorting and organization of comics
  • Option to lock reading direction
  • Double-tap to zoom functionality
  • Progress tracking and bookmarking features
Show 1 more
  • Support for more file formats like ePub

Epub Reader

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when opening certain files
  • Distorts images in some ebooks
  • Fails to open ePub files consistently

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add dark mode
  • Improve bookmark and progress tracking
  • Implement search feature
  • Increase customization options
  • Allow variable screen timeout

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Panels

Subscriptions2
  • Panels+ Monthly7 Days trial$1.491 Month
  • Panels+ Yearly7 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time3
  • Panels 3 Upgrade$9.99
  • Panels 2$19.99
  • Panels 3$19.99
4 purchases

Epub Reader

Subscriptions1
  • Annual professional version$3.991 Year
One-time3
  • Remove Ads$0.99
  • Passcode Lock$0.99
  • Pro Version$5.99

Questions

Is Panels free?
Panels is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Epub Reader free?
Epub Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Panels or Epub Reader?
Panels is rated higher. Panels averages 4.8 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while Epub Reader averages 4.5 from 11K ratings.
Do Panels or Epub Reader have ads?
Epub Reader shows ads; Panels does not.
Which is updated more often, Panels or Epub Reader?
Panels ships an update every 8 days, and Epub Reader every 2 weeks. Most recently, Panels was updated on October 15, 2026 and Epub Reader on October 15, 2026.
Which is more popular, Panels or Epub Reader?
Panels currently peaks at #169 in the App Store charts, and Epub Reader at #143. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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