Comparison

LightComics vs Whale

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

LightComics

This app serves as a versatile viewer for various file types, including compressed archives like ZIP and RAR, text files, PDFs, and EPUBs. It offers extensive customization for viewing experience and robust file management capabilities, including cloud storage integration.

Highlights
  • Supports ZIP, RAR, CBZ, TXT, PDF, and EPUB files
  • Image cropping, filters, and ratio adjustments
  • Text-to-Speech (TTS) functionality
  • File management with cloud storage integration
  • Customizable viewing options (fonts, colors, themes)
  • Passcode and biometric locking
Features
Read full description

Essential Viewer LightComics application for iPhone and iPad The following features are supported! ◆ Image Viewer • Supported compressed files: ZIP, RAR, CBZ, and folders are also available. * Multiple compressed files are not supported (compressed in compression file) • Supports wide image cropping, cropping, and reverse sequencing. • Supports image filter [contrast] and [inverted]. • Supports Fit Image Ratio (General), Fill Ratio (Longer Images) • For large ZIP files, fast indexing is provided. ◆ Text Viewer • Support file: TXT * Extensions that can be expressed as a text viewer are also supported (ex. .log, .sh, .md, etc.) • Supports text content search and shortcuts. • Support TTS (Text To Speed). * You can activate the function in [Labatory]. • Offers 3 default fonts and allows for font size and line-to-line adjustment. * Installed fonts are available (iOS 13 and later) • You can change the background color and font color of the font. • Provides fast indexing of large TXT files. ◆ PDF Viewer (iOS 11 and above) • Supported text files: PDF • Enables PDF content retrieval and shortcuts. ◆ EPUB Pain Text Viewer * An experimental feature in which only text is extracted from the EPUB. You can activate the function in [Labatory]. • Support file: EPUB (EPUB2, EPUB3 type) • Provides features such as a text viewer. ◆ Viewer Common Features • Background color white and black change support • Bookmark support • Enable quick page movement • Automatic slide support • Support for scrolling and page curl • Support two-page split when using page dry transitions • Support LTR, RTL, and TTB Scroll Direction ◆ Dokutment • Provides a file tree-like design support. • Works with Apple's [File] application. • Supports decompression of compressed files. • Supports new folders, rename, move, delete, and share files. • Supports file upload and download via Wi-Fi (HTTP Server). • Read files directly from external documents and repositories (iOS 13 and later) * You can activate the function in [Labatory]. ◆ Remote Storage • Support FTP, WebDAV, Dropbox, Onedrive, Google Drive * Background downloads are not supported. • You can delete files in remote storage. ◆ Common Features • Works with Apple's File application. • Supports dark themes. • Supports passcode or biometric locking. • Supports iCloud synchronization. (Sync only the data in the read information, the file will not be synchronized.) • Support a wide range of other default options ◆ Laboratory functions • EPUB (epub2, epub3)extracts only text from file to represent viewer • Page movement using volume up and down physical buttons • Page movement via Bluetooth keyboard • Text to Speech (TTS) support • Status bar always displays • External documents and storage access • Hide hidden files ◆ If you have any questions, please send them directly to the app at [Settings] - [Contact] or segunleedev@gmail.com. ◆ The Labatory feature can make some error. ◆ If the app shuts down immediately when running, switch on iOS [Settings]App -> [LightComics] -> reset and re-run * The saved reading list is deleted. icon provide: https://icons8.com

About

Whale

This browser offers a fast and intuitive web browsing experience with cross-device synchronization. It features a unique quick search function and a convenient scrapbook for saving content, all while blocking intrusive ads. Enjoy a personalized and efficient way to access web content.

Highlights
  • Fast and intuitive design
  • Cross-device data synchronization
  • Quick search on screen
  • Convenient scrapbook
  • Ad blocking
Features
Read full description

Here is Naver Whale browser! Searching in easy and fast, Syncing to every devices, Blocking abusive ads. Enjoy web content with Whale! - The more you use it, the more beautiful and intuitive design - Synchronize your data as is on any PC / mobile device - Quick and easy search on the screen you saw, Quick Search - Your own Scrapbook, more convenient than bookmarks Learn more about Naver Whale - Contact us through whaleteam@naver.com - Please visit us : https://whale.naver.com - This is the from for whale, let us know your opinion : https://forum.whale.naver.com/forum/25/ Required permissions for Whale · Camera: Used for QR code scanning, image search, and Whale ON video calls. · Microphone: Used to transmit audio during Whale ON video calls. · Photos: Used to save webpage images and screenshots to your photo library. · Location: Used to provide weather information on the new tab page and to share your current location with websites that request it. · Contacts: Used to save downloaded contact (vCard) files to your device's Contacts. · Face ID / Touch ID: Used to verify your identity when entering Incognito mode, managing passwords, and unlocking browsing history or downloads. · Notifications: Used to receive visit reminders and Scrapbook notifications you've set up. Required Permission Info - Location : To provide location information on websites - Photos : To download images from website or upload the photos stored on device to website - Microphone : To use your voice and access Whale ON video meeting - Camera : To upload images and access Whale ON video meeting Privacy Policy You can read privacy policy of Whale browser : https://policy.naver.com/policy-mobile/privacy.html

Screenshots

LightComics4 screens
Whale4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Whale at none against LightComics's 1. Whale also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (314 vs 21). LightComics's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 66%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, update cadence and device support 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. LightComics sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whale asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LightComics holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Whale has 314 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of LightComics's written reviews are positive against 66% of Whale's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
LightComics versus Whale: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightComicsWhale
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (21 ratings) — better4.5 (314 ratings)
Positive reviews89.7% of reviews — better66.2% of reviews
Number of ratings21314 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB306 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSeGun LeeNAVER Corp.

Customer experience

LightComics

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews58 reviews
Positive89.7%
Neutral3.4%
Negative6.9%

Whale

All ratings312 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews133 reviews
Positive66.2%
Neutral12.8%
Negative21.1%

Bugs and requests

LightComics

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Whale

Reported bugs

54 issues
  • Picture in Picture (PiP) not working
  • Playback slider not working
  • Hacker using the interface (potential security issue)
  • Screen time not working
  • UI issues with YouTube and Naver on iPad
Show 49 more
  • Background wallpaper changing automatically
  • Text size adjustment difficult
  • YouTube full screen not working on iPad
  • Papago feature not working on certain websites
  • Login errors (non-existent account, wrong password)
  • YouTube small window mode issues
  • Screen not transitioning to full screen
  • Tab window bug when opening new tabs
  • PDF viewing issues (lagging, crashing)
  • App crashing after update
  • WebRTC open by default on PC/Mac
  • Whaleon error preventing meeting participation
  • File names with Korean characters becoming unreadable after download on iOS 15
  • Back button behavior (going to top of page)
  • Bomtoon account login authorization error
  • App force closes when entering a class meeting link
  • Bug where previously opened pages open in a new tab
  • Naver dark mode not working
  • Page loading issues
  • Login issues with incorrect password or initialization failure
  • Login not working on iPad
  • Dedicated meeting room hostless start error
  • App freezing and becoming unresponsive
  • Dark mode issues (not applying, white screen on some sites)
  • YouTube translation issues causing content mix-up
  • MacBook (M1) battery consumption
  • Freezing issues on mobile
  • Text selection issues (options window not appearing)
  • App crashing on login
  • Crash when editing menu
  • Translation not working (German to English)
  • App crashing when opening new tabs
  • App restarting when minimized
  • App crashing on login attempt
  • Infinite crashing
  • App closes after a few seconds
  • PDF documents in links cause freezing
  • Link to PDF documents causes freezing
  • Automatic refresh when switching apps
  • App restarts when minimized
  • Dark mode not available on iOS
  • Infinite crashing on iOS
  • App crashes after login attempt
  • Syncing issues with desktop browser history
  • Text selection not working on iPad
  • Papago or Quick Search not appearing next to text selection
  • Background playback not working on mobile data
  • Translation function often unavailable
  • Search term saving cannot be turned off on mobile

Requested features

24 requests
  • Add simplified Chinese language support
  • Add Turkish language support
  • Add Japanese language support
  • Improve text selection and copy-paste functionality
  • Add a search feature for opened tabs
Show 19 more
  • Allow users to disable search term saving
  • Add a desktop mode persistent option
  • Improve PiP fast forward/backward slider
  • Add screen time tracking feature
  • Add option to disable 'frequently visited sites' on home screen
  • Allow users to set homepage to a new tab page
  • Add option to disable closing tab list when closing last tab
  • Improve background playback on mobile data
  • Add Chinese language version
  • Add Russian language support
  • Add a feature to move PC content to other devices
  • Fix issue with automatic change to new version of Naver launcher
  • Add ability to download to Files
  • Fix issue with PDF rendering on iPad
  • Add option to customize toolbar
  • Improve text size adjustment for better usability
  • Add a feature to view saved passwords on iPhone
  • Add a screen time mode to see time spent on each website
  • Add option to fix background wallpaper

In-app purchases

1 purchases

LightComics

One-time1
  • Remove banner ads$0.99
None

Whale

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LightComics free?
LightComics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Whale free?
Whale is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, LightComics or Whale?
LightComics is rated higher. LightComics averages 4.8 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while Whale averages 4.5 from 314 ratings.
Do LightComics or Whale have ads?
LightComics shows ads; Whale does not.
Which is updated more often, LightComics or Whale?
LightComics ships an update every 2 weeks, and Whale every 2 weeks. Most recently, LightComics was updated on November 2, 2026 and Whale on November 7, 2026.

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