Comparison

Panels vs TradComics

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 a clean interface. Enjoy DRM-free titles, extensive file format support, and seamless cross-device synchronization. Organize your library and customize your reading experience.

Highlights
  • Universal comic format support (CBR, CBZ, CB7, PDF, ePUB)
  • Cross-device reading progress sync
  • OPDS server streaming and downloading
  • DRM-free comic store with creator support
  • Advanced reading presets and page filters
  • Library organization with custom themes
  • 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

TradComics

Experience digital comics with a classic feel. This reader app supports popular formats like .tcb, .cbz, and .pdf, offering a familiar way to enjoy your favorite graphic novels and manga.

Highlights
  • Simulates traditional comic reading feel
  • Supports .tcb files
  • Supports .cbz files
  • Supports .pdf files
  • Intuitive reader interface
Read full description

A reader app that simulates the feel of reading a traditional comic book. Supports .tcb, .cbz and .pdf files.

Screenshots

Panels4 screens
TradComics2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TradComics at none against Panels's 5. TradComics also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Panels's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (13K vs 1). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. TradComics asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TradComics holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Panels has 13K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Panels ships an update every 9 days, TradComics every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Panels versus TradComics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPanelsTradComics
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (13K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings13K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#160 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size166 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperProdukt StudioTradComics

Customer experience

Panels

All ratings12,674 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral1.8%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews1,144 reviews
Positive70.2%
Neutral9.5%
Negative20.3%

TradComics

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

TradComics

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

TradComics

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Panels free?
Panels is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TradComics free?
TradComics is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Panels or TradComics?
TradComics is rated higher. Panels averages 4.8 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while TradComics averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Panels or TradComics have ads?
Neither Panels nor TradComics shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Panels or TradComics?
Panels ships an update every 9 days, and TradComics every 2 months. Most recently, Panels was updated on November 9, 2026 and TradComics on October 30, 2026.

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