# Panels vs Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Panels at 12K against Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF's 36. Panels also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and chart position (#196 vs unranked). Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF's advantage is review sentiment (87% vs 70%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Panels sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 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 12K ratings behind it against 36, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 70% of Panels's written reviews are positive against 87% of Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Panels ships an update every 8 days, Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Panels | Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/panels-comic-reader/id1236567663/reviews)** | [4.5 (36 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/comic-reader-cbr-cbz-and-pdf/id6504741382/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **12K** | 36 |
| Positive reviews | 70.2% of reviews | **87.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#196** | — |
| Size | 165 MB | 96 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Produkt Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1236567662) | [Alexandre Guidet](https://appshunter.io/developer/1508644490) |

## What reviewers say

### Panels

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

**Currently charting:** #196 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


### Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/comic-reader-cbr-cbz-and-pdf/id6504741382)

This app allows users to read comic books in CBR, CBZ, and PDF formats. It offers features like smart library organization, automatic progress saving, and an ad-free experience. Premium features include unlimited imports and custom collections.

**Highlights:** Supports CBR, CBZ, and PDF formats, Import from local storage/USB, Automatic reading progress saving, Customizable comic collections, Ad-free reading experience, Eye comfort mode (blue light filter)

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Monthly subscription sale | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly subscription | $12.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $17.99 | per year |
| Yearly subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly subscription sale | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $22.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $34.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $69.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Panels free?

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

### Is Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF free?

Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Panels or Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF?

Panels is rated higher. Panels averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF averages 4.5 from 36 ratings.

### Do Panels or Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF have ads?

Neither Panels nor Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Panels or Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF?

Panels ships an update every 8 days, and Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF fortnightly. Most recently, Panels was updated on September 25, 2026 and Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF on September 22, 2026.

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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.*