Simple Circuit Builder vs Black Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Simple Circuit Builder
This virtual lab offers a hands-on experience for learning about resistors and circuit resistance. Easily build and test series and parallel circuits, measure voltage and current, and understand the impact of component changes in real-time.
- Build circuits with up to eight components
- Five component types
- Virtual volt and amp meters
- Adjustable resistor and voltage values
- Real-time circuit analysis
- Demonstrates 'Opens' and 'Shorts'
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Description This is the BEST app to learn about Resistors and Circuit Resistance (Equivalent Resistance). This virtual lab provides an excellent environment for anyone who is interested in understanding series and parallel resistors, learning how to measure voltages across resistors, current through series and parallel circuits and solving simple circuits. Features - VERY SIMPLE and EASY TO USE, with up to eight component sections. - Component sections can easily be configured from five different types. - VIRTUAL "Hands On" experience using volt and amp meters. - Resistor values can easily be changed with a picker, keypad or using randomize button. - Circuit voltage can easily be changed from 1 to 1000 volts with a picker or a keypad. - The "Basics" screen make this app unique for the simplicity and speed of seeing the effects of "Opens" (resistor component with infinite resistance) and "Shorts" (resistor component with zero resistance). - FREE and NO ADVERTISEMENTS. - The circuit is always "LIVE" and immediately shows voltage, current and circuit resistance with any changes made to the circuit.
Black Reader
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Black Reader is a focused PDF reader for iPhone and iPad. Open PDFs from Files, iCloud Drive, AirDrop, or other apps, then read comfortably with pinch-to-zoom and your choice of dark, light, or sepia reading modes. Keep your place automatically with per-document reading progress. Bookmark important pages, add notes to a page or an entire book, and capture page snippets with notes for later reference. Black Reader includes: • PDF reading with pinch-to-zoom • Dark, light, and sepia reading modes • Brightness control while reading • Automatic last-page memory • Bookmarks and favorites • Page and whole-book notes • Searchable recent PDFs and notes • Saved PDF snippets with notes • File sharing and document removal • No account required Black Reader contains advertising. A one-time in-app purchase is available to remove ads permanently.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Simple Circuit Builder at none against Black Reader's 1. Black Reader's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). 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
Both are free to download. Black Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Simple Circuit Builder asks for nothing beyond the download.
Simple Circuit Builder ships an update every 3 weeks, Black Reader every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Simple Circuit Builder | Black Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (28 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 52.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 28 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 31 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | David White | ZAKARIA ELAROUSSI |
In-app purchases
Simple Circuit Builder
No in-app purchases
Black Reader
- Black Reader PRO$0.99
Questions
Is Simple Circuit Builder free?
Is Black Reader free?
Do Simple Circuit Builder or Black Reader have ads?
Which is updated more often, Simple Circuit Builder or Black Reader?
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