# Panels vs Manga UP!

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Panels at 70% against Manga UP!'s 30%. Panels also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Panels sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and Manga UP! sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Panels holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Panels has 13K ratings behind it against 2.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Panels's written reviews are positive against 30% of Manga UP!'s.

Panels ships an update every 8 days, Manga UP! every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Panels | Manga UP! |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/panels-comic-reader/id1236567663/reviews)** | [4.5 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/manga-up/id1623721894/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **13K** | 2.5K |
| Positive reviews | **70.3% of reviews** | 30.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | #170 | **#64** |
| Size | 166 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Produkt Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1236567662) | [SQUARE ENIX](https://appshunter.io/developer/300186801) |

## What reviewers say

### Panels

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/panels-comic-reader/id1236567663)

**Currently charting:** #170 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

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:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Panels+ Monthly | $1.49 | per month |
| Panels+ Yearly | $14.99 | per year |
| Panels 3 Upgrade | $9.99 | one-time |
| Panels 2 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Panels 3 | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


### Manga UP!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/manga-up/id1623721894)

**Currently charting:** #64 Top Grossing · Book, #102 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

Access a vast library of manga from a major publisher, featuring popular series and new releases. Read chapters daily for free or unlock unlimited access with a subscription. Stay updated with the latest from Japan and support creators.

**Highlights:** Read latest manga chapters, Over 200 Square Enix series, Daily bonus items for free reading, Simulpub releases from Japan, Originals of anime tie-ins, Diverse genres: Isekai, fantasy, romance, Unlimited reading with Vault Pass subscription

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vault Pass | $4.99 | per month |
| Vault Pass | $6.99 | per month |
| 160 Coin (First Time Only) | $0.99 | one-time |
| 160 Coin | $0.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack (Small) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 650 Coin | $3.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack (Medium) | $7.99 | one-time |
| 1200 Coin | $7.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack (Medium) | $15.99 | one-time |
| 2600 Coin | $15.99 | one-time |
| 3900 Coin | $23.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Coin | $31.99 | one-time |
| 6400 Coin | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Lots of new titles
- 👍 Good price for subscription
- 😊 Enjoyable reading experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Confusing currency system
- 🔒 Aggressive censorship
- ⏱️ Chapters split into multiple parts
- 🔒 Screenshots banned
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and loading issues

**Reported bugs**

- Login errors and account issues
- Chapters not loading properly
- Inconsistent app performance

**Requested features**

- Subscription-based model instead of microtransactions
- Ability to permanently own chapters
- Reduced censorship or option to view uncensored versions


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Panels free?

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

### Is Manga UP! free?

Manga UP! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Panels or Manga UP!?

Panels is rated higher. Panels averages 4.8 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while Manga UP! averages 4.5 from 2.5K ratings.

### Do Panels or Manga UP! have ads?

Manga UP! shows ads; Panels does not.

### Which is updated more often, Panels or Manga UP!?

Panels ships an update every 8 days, and Manga UP! every 4 weeks. Most recently, Panels was updated on October 16, 2026 and Manga UP! on October 15, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Panels or Manga UP!?

Panels currently peaks at #170 in the App Store charts, and Manga UP! at #64. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*