Comparison

Panels vs GlobalComix

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 reading with advanced features and customization. Enjoy DRM-free titles, organize your library, and sync progress across devices. Supports various formats and OPDS servers.

Highlights
  • Universal comic format support (CBR, CBZ, PDF)
  • Cross-device reading progress sync
  • OPDS server streaming and downloading
  • Advanced library organization tools
  • Customizable reading presets
  • DRM-free comic store
Features
Currently charting
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

GlobalComix

Access a vast library of over 100,000 comics, manga, webcomics, and graphic novels from major publishers and independent creators. Enjoy a customizable reading experience with features like vertical scrolling and offline downloads. Discover new stories weekly and support the creators behind them.

Highlights
  • Vast library of 100K+ comics, manga, webtoons
  • Customizable reading experience (vertical scroll, double page)
  • Offline reading with subscription
  • Advanced search and discovery filters
  • Track titles and organize library
  • Support for creators and publishers
  • Panel-to-panel reading for cinematic experience
Read full description

You might not be a comics person. But you're a something person. Whatever your something is, GlobalComix will help you find it: comics, manga, and webcomics from the world's top publishers and independent creators. EVERYTHING YOU'RE INTO Superheroes and sci-fi. Fantasy epics and horror. Romance, slice of life, shonen, isekai, and manhwa. Big-publisher hits sit next to indie discoveries, and new stories drop every week. YOUR DAILY DOSE OF POP CULTURE Feel the pulse of pop culture. Art, news, stories, and the things you care about. Stay in the know. Impress your friends. A REALLY SMART FRIEND Looking for inspiration? Ask our Assistant. Say what you're in the mood for, in your own words: a show you love, a vibe, or a world you can't stop thinking about. Get comics and manga with a reason why each one fits. FREE, SUBSCRIBE, OR BUY: UP TO YOU We have you covered. Plenty of free reads. Go Gold for a whole library of included titles, or buy what you want to own. Mix and match. Gold members also save on eligible purchases. TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE Get delightfully sidetracked. Wander from heroes to horror to heartbreak, and stumble onto worlds you never knew you needed. The best finds are the ones you weren't looking for. READ ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE On your phone or tablet: pick up where you left off, find your way back to what you browsed, keep everything you own in one place, and download comics to read offline. GlobalComix. Not Normal. EULA https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Panels4 screens
GlobalComix4 screens

Verdict

The call

Panels and GlobalComix both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 70% of Panels's written reviews are positive against 55% of GlobalComix's. GlobalComix's advantage is chart position (#24 vs #171). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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 GlobalComix sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Panels against 4.8 for GlobalComix. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13K and 4.8K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of Panels's written reviews are positive against 55% of GlobalComix's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Panels ships an update every 8 days, GlobalComix every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 12, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Panels versus GlobalComix: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPanelsGlobalComix
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (13K ratings)4.8 (4.8K ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.2% of reviews — better55.1% of reviews
Number of ratings13K — better4.8K
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#171#24 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015
Further details — not scored
Size166 MB128 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperProdukt StudioGlobal Publishing Interactive, Inc

Customer experience

Panels

All ratings12,715 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral1.8%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews1,146 reviews
Positive70.2%
Neutral9.5%
Negative20.2%

GlobalComix

All ratings4,771 ratings
Positive94.6%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews265 reviews
Positive55.1%
Neutral9.8%
Negative35.1%

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

GlobalComix

From 4.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent reading experience
  • 👍 Vast library of comics
  • 💡 Diverse selection of publishers
  • 🚀 Smooth vertical scrolling
  • 👍 Customizable reading options

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Subscription-based model
  • 🐛 Occasional loading issues
  • 🔒 Paywall after certain pages
  • 🐛 Buggy login/account management

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

GlobalComix

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Unable to access purchased content
  • Sync issues between devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add Marvel and DC comics
  • Improve search and discovery
  • Implement offline reading mode
  • Allow partial comic purchases

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
10 purchases

GlobalComix

Subscriptions2
  • GC Gold Month Subscription$6.991 Month
  • GC Gold Year Subscription7 Days trial$69.001 Year
One-time8
  • Book Unlock - Price Point 1$0.99
  • Book Unlock - Price Point 2$1.99
  • Book Unlock - Price Point 3.59$3.59
Show 5 more
  • Book Unlock - Price Point 4.49$4.49
  • Book Unlock - Price Point 5$4.99
  • Book Unlock - Price Point 5.39$5.39
  • Book Unlock - Price Point 6$5.99
  • Book Unlock - Price Point 10$9.99

Questions

Is Panels free?
Panels is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GlobalComix free?
GlobalComix is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Panels or GlobalComix?
GlobalComix is rated higher. Panels averages 4.8 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while GlobalComix averages 4.8 from 4.8K ratings.
Do Panels or GlobalComix have ads?
Neither Panels nor GlobalComix shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Panels or GlobalComix?
Panels ships an update every 8 days, and GlobalComix every 9 days. Most recently, Panels was updated on November 12, 2026 and GlobalComix on November 12, 2026.
Which is more popular, Panels or GlobalComix?
Panels currently peaks at #171 in the App Store charts, and GlobalComix at #24. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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