Comparison

Panels vs Shiori 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

Shiori Reader

This EPUB reader is designed for Japanese language learners. It offers one-tap dictionary lookups, vocabulary saving, and Anki integration to help users expand their Japanese vocabulary and improve reading comprehension.

Highlights
  • One-tap dictionary lookup
  • Yomitan dictionary import
  • Seamless EPUB reading
  • Vocabulary list saving
  • Anki integration
  • Context-aware learning
  • Smart Japanese text support
Features
Read full description

Read Japanese books with ease - look up words with a tap and expand your vocabulary. Shiori Reader is the ultimate EPUB reader designed specifically for Japanese language learners. With a sleek interface and powerful learning tools, Shiori transforms your reading experience by making Japanese texts accessible and enjoyable. Key Features: • One-tap dictionary lookup - Simply tap any Japanese word to instantly see its meaning, reading, and pitch accent • Dictionary import - Import Yomitan-formatted dictionaries to help expand your Japanese vocabulary • Seamless EPUB reading - Enjoy a fluid reading experience with customizable themes and font settings • Vocabulary building - Save important words to your vocabulary list for later review • Anki integration - Export words directly to AnkiMobile for efficient spaced repetition study • Context-aware learning - See words in their original sentence context to enhance understanding • Smart Japanese support - Advanced support for kanji, furigana, pitch accent, and complex Japanese text • Customizable reading experience - Choose between scroll and page modes, adjust font size and theme colors Perfect for Japanese learners at any level, Shiori Reader bridges the gap between reading authentic Japanese content and building vocabulary. Import your own EPUB files and start improving your Japanese reading skills today.

Screenshots

Panels4 screens
Shiori Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shiori Reader at none against Panels's 5. Shiori Reader also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 70%). Panels's advantage is ratings volume (13K vs 14) and chart position (#169 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Shiori Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Panels against 4.7 for Shiori Reader. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Panels has 13K ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of Panels's written reviews are positive against 100% of Shiori Reader's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Panels ships an update every 8 days, Shiori Reader weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Panels versus Shiori Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPanelsShiori Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (13K ratings) — better4.7 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews70.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings13K — better14
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#169 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size166 MB310 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperProdukt StudioClint Russell Graviet Jr

Customer experience

Panels

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

Shiori Reader

All ratings14 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews7 reviews
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

Shiori Reader

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

Shiori Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Panels free?
Panels is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shiori Reader free?
Shiori Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Panels or Shiori Reader?
Panels is rated higher. Panels averages 4.8 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while Shiori Reader averages 4.7 from 14 ratings.
Do Panels or Shiori Reader have ads?
Neither Panels nor Shiori Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Panels or Shiori Reader?
Panels ships an update every 8 days, and Shiori Reader weekly. Most recently, Panels was updated on October 15, 2026 and Shiori Reader on October 2, 2026.

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