# Total Reader vs Panadem

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Panadem at none against Total Reader's 3. Panadem also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Total Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Panadem asks for nothing beyond the download.

Total Reader ships an update every 2 months, Panadem fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Total Reader | Panadem |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.8 (37 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/total-reader-text-to-speech/id1471506439/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **37** | — |
| Positive reviews | 13.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 37 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15 | **12.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Storch](https://appshunter.io/developer/335855086) | [Panadem](https://appshunter.io/developer/1706809040) |

## What reviewers say

### Total Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/total-reader-text-to-speech/id1471506439)

This app converts text files into natural-sounding speech, allowing users to listen to documents while following along with highlighted text. It supports a wide range of file formats and over 30 languages, with easy import options from cloud storage and computers.

**Highlights:** Reads documents aloud, Converts text to natural voice, Highlights spoken words, Supports PDF, Word, PowerPoint, RTF, Imports from cloud storage, Supports over 30 languages

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Account for 1 month. | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium Account for 1 year. | $19.99 | per year |
| Total Reader Premium Lifetime. | $39.99 | one-time |


### Panadem

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/panadem/id6465953802)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Total Reader free?

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

### Is Panadem free?

Panadem is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Total Reader or Panadem have ads?

Total Reader shows ads; Panadem does not.

### Which is updated more often, Total Reader or Panadem?

Total Reader ships an update every 2 months, and Panadem fortnightly. Most recently, Total Reader was updated on October 16, 2026 and Panadem on October 2, 2026.

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