Comparison

Panels vs Glance

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
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

Glance

This app offers a minimalist reading experience using RSVP technology to display text word by word. It helps users focus by eliminating distractions and entering a state of flow. Import your own books and customize the reading experience with various fonts and color schemes.

Highlights
  • RSVP speed reading technology
  • Import EPUB, MOBI, and save Texts/URLs
  • Two reading modes (overview and speed)
  • Customizable fonts and color schemes
  • Ad-free and tracking-free experience
Features
Read full description

Glance is a minimalist reading sanctuary designed to help you reclaim your attention. By using RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) technology, Glance brings the text to you, one word at a time. Your eyes stay still, the world fades away, and your mind enters a state of total flow. In an age of endless scrolling and digital noise, Glance invites you to stop scanning and start experiencing. Read in peace, enjoy the moment, and let every sentence resonate. - Total Presence: By centering every word in a single focal point, Glance eliminates distractions and helps you stay deeply connected to the text. - Bring your own Library: Seamlessly import EPUB, MOBI books, or save Texts/URLs to enjoy your favorite articles offline. - Two Reading Modes: Switch between an overview mode similar to conventional reading applications and a speed reading mode - Make it your own: Pick your favorite font and colorscheme from many options We believe your reading time is sacred. That’s why Glance is built on a foundation of respect for your privacy and your pocketbook: No ads. No tracking. No subscriptions. No distractions.  Ever. Just you, the words, and the moment.

Screenshots

Panels4 screens
Glance4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Panels at Free against Glance's $3.99. Panels also leads on ratings volume (12K vs 8) and chart position (#196 vs unranked). Glance's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (100% vs 70%). On 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

Panels is free to download; Glance costs $3.99 up front. Panels sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Glance 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 4.9 for Glance. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Panels has 12K ratings behind it against 8, 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 Glance's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Panels ships an update every 8 days, Glance every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Panels versus Glance: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPanelsGlance
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.8 (12K ratings)4.9 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12K — better8
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#196 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size165 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperProdukt StudioPETER ZDANKIN

Customer experience

Panels

All ratings12,369 ratings
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.8%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews1,119 reviews
Positive70.2%
Neutral9.6%
Negative20.3%

Glance

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 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

Glance

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

Glance

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Panels free?
Panels is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Glance free?
Glance costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Panels or Glance?
Glance is rated higher. Panels averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Glance averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.
Do Panels or Glance have ads?
Neither Panels nor Glance shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Panels or Glance?
Panels ships an update every 8 days, and Glance every 2 weeks. Most recently, Panels was updated on September 25, 2026 and Glance on September 12, 2026.

Other comparisons