# PDF Reader vs Record+Transcribe

The clearest difference is ads: Record+Transcribe at none against PDF Reader's shown. Record+Transcribe also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months). PDF Reader's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Record+Transcribe sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PDF Reader ships an update every 9 months, Record+Transcribe every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Reader | Record+Transcribe |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-docs-viewer/id1240773558/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 7 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [小玲 白](https://appshunter.io/developer/1166875754) | [Hatching Point LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860158157) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-docs-viewer/id1240773558)

Easily view PDF documents on your mobile device or tablet. Upload files via WiFi, open encrypted PDFs with a password, and enjoy adaptive screen sizing for comfortable reading. Protect your documents with app lock and gesture passwords.

**Highlights:** View PDF documents, WiFi file upload, Encrypted PDF support, Adaptive screen size, Read Word, Excel, PPT, App lock and gesture password

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Permanently remove ads | $1.99 | one-time |


### Record+Transcribe

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/record-plus-transcribe/id6758643630)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Reader free?

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

### Is Record+Transcribe free?

Record+Transcribe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do PDF Reader or Record+Transcribe have ads?

PDF Reader shows ads; Record+Transcribe does not.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or Record+Transcribe?

PDF Reader ships an update every 9 months, and Record+Transcribe every 2 months. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on September 14, 2026 and Record+Transcribe on September 11, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*