Comparison

Stories AR vs SideReader

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

Head to head
About

Stories AR

Bring your photos to life with augmented reality. Point your device's camera at a picture or QR code to see animated AR content appear, transforming static images into dynamic experiences.

Highlights
  • Animated AR pictures
  • QR code integration
  • Photo album animation
  • Greeting card AR
  • Artist and business AR integration
  • Free demo version
Features
Read full description

Stories AR - Augmented reality pictures. When you point camera at the picture in real life, it becomes alive on your device. You can see animated AR pictures and the access QR code* on items like: artwork, picture, photo album, banner, greeting card and any other object. How does it work? 1. Point the camera at the QR code and wait for media download 2. Point the camera at the picture and see it come to life QR code with animated picture can be created in the professional service called Stories AR PRO. If you don't have a QR code, please contact your photographer or create a QR code with AR picture yourself using free demo version of Stories AR PRO. If you're a professional photographer, artist or a business, integrate AR in your projects and increase your profits with Stories AR PRO license. Try 14 days for free.

About

SideReader

Record videos with your script displayed as a teleprompter. Create both portrait and landscape versions from a single take, and rehearse your lines before recording. Captures high-resolution video and prioritizes user privacy by storing data locally.

Highlights
  • Integrated teleprompter
  • Dual portrait/landscape recording
  • Rehearsal mode
  • High-resolution video capture (up to 4K/60 FPS)
  • Privacy-focused, local storage
  • Script management
Features
Read full description

You’re an actor. Or a content creator. Or a journalist. Or maybe you’re just someone who has something to say and would really, really like the words to stay in front of your eyes while you say it. And to get portrait and landscape videos from one take, instantly. Maybe you’re rehearsing an audition. Recording a reporting segment. Filming a video essay. Making content for social media. Or trying to remember your next line without looking six feet below the camera. That’s why I made SideReader. SideReader brings your script, teleprompter, camera, rehearsal tools, and takes together in one focused creative studio. And it solves another problem I kept running into: needing the same performance in portrait and landscape. One for TikTok, Reels, or Shorts. Another for YouTube, a presentation, an edit, or whatever comes next. Record once. Deliver twice. YOUR SCRIPT, RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU Write or import a script, then keep it in front of you while you rehearse or record. Adjust the reading experience to your pace, so you can spend less time fighting the screen and more time delivering the words. REHEARSE AT YOUR PACE Sometimes you’re not ready to hit Record. That’s fine. Work through the script, find your rhythm, get comfortable with the material, and start filming when you’re ready. TWO VIDEOS, ONE PERFORMANCE Dual Capture makes portrait and landscape videos together while you record. Tap Stop and both files finish without a second render, ready to review, save, or share in moments. No second take just because another platform wants a different shape. YOUR STUDIO, ON YOUR WRIST The new Apple Watch companion works as a remote for your paired iPhone or iPad. Start and stop recording, switch cameras, adjust zoom, choose scripts, control rehearsals, and check recording status from your wrist. HIGH-QUALITY VIDEO On supported devices and configurations, SideReader can capture at up to 4K and 60 FPS. Because something made for creators should take the actual camera part seriously, too. YOUR TAKES ARE YOURS Review your takes, keep the ones you love, and share them when you choose. Your scripts and recordings stay on your device unless you choose to export or share them. Your performance doesn’t need a trip through somebody else’s server just to belong to you. Settings also gives you control over product analytics and optional advertising measurement. WHY I BUILT SIDEREADER I’m an actor, and I wanted something that felt surprisingly difficult to find: a teleprompter and camera simple enough to disappear while I was using them, but powerful enough to keep up with how I actually create. I wanted my script in front of me. I wanted to rehearse. I wanted great-quality video. I wanted portrait and landscape versions without recording the same performance twice. And I didn’t want the app itself to become the production. So I built SideReader. It has taken plenty of testing, redesigns, strange little discoveries, major overhauls, and “okay, we need to rethink this entire thing” moments. I’m proud to put this bigger, faster creative studio in your hands, and I’m excited to keep improving it with the people who use it. So rehearse the audition. Record the story. Make the video. Deliver the report. Say the thing. Hopefully with SideReader by Clapps, with love from Los Angeles

Screenshots

Stories AR4 screens
SideReader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SideReader at 5.0 against Stories AR's 3.1. SideReader also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). Stories AR's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (8 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SideReader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stories AR has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stories AR ships an update monthly, SideReader fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Stories AR versus SideReader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStories ARSideReader
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (8 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews44.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.0 — better27.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB46 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSTORIES AR LLCSergei Shik

Customer experience

Stories AR

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive44.1%
Neutral1.7%
Negative54.2%

SideReader

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Stories AR

No in-app purchases

None

SideReader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Stories AR free?
Stories AR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SideReader free?
SideReader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Stories AR or SideReader?
SideReader is rated higher. Stories AR averages 3.1 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while SideReader averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Stories AR or SideReader have ads?
SideReader shows ads; Stories AR does not.
Which is updated more often, Stories AR or SideReader?
Stories AR ships an update monthly, and SideReader fortnightly. Most recently, Stories AR was updated on October 25, 2026 and SideReader on October 24, 2026.

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