Comparison

Hymns Mobile vs ReadPDB

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

Head to head
About

Hymns Mobile

Access a vast collection of Christian hymns from various eras and languages. Features include lyrics, chords, sheet music, and offline access. Easily search, share, and organize your favorite hymns.

Highlights
  • Thousands of Christian hymns
  • Multi-language support
  • Chords and sheet music
  • Offline access
  • Keyword search
  • Share lyrics
  • Adjustable font size
Features
Read full description

This digital hymnal/hymnbook features: - Thousands of Christian hymns, spanning the best of Christian sentiment from the third century to the present day. - Database of hymns including classics, new tunes, new songs, scripture songs, and children's songs. - Multiple language support, including Cebuano, Dutch, French, Spanish, Tagalog, and Chinese traditional and simplified, with pinyin transliteration. - Chords and sheet music for guitar and piano (requires network connection). - Hymn information, including key, time signature, meter, and scripture reference. Special features: - Access hymn lyrics both online and offline. - Look up hymns quickly using the standardized hymn numbers 1-1348 as published in Hymns, by Living Stream Ministry. - Search full hymn lyrics with keyword search feature. - Swipe to browse between consecutive hymns. - Easily share lyrics to external apps including SMS, GroupMe, Facebook, WhatsApp, WeChat, and more. - Adjust font size. - Play hymn instrumentals with pop-up music player controls (requires network connection). - Tag hymns with custom categories for future access. Coming soon: - Advanced search options (search by first line only, exact phrase, etc.). - Quick hymn lookup in other language versions. - Dark mode

About

ReadPDB

Features
Read full description

Bring your Palm-era ebook library back to life. ReadPDB opens compatible, non-DRM iSilo 3 and PalmDOC ebook documents stored as Palm Database (.pdb) files. Import books directly from the Files app and read them on your iPhone or iPad—no account required. Reading is offline. Features • Import one or more compatible .pdb books from the Files app • Filter your library by book title • Render supported text formatting and internal links • Automatically return to your last reading position • Adjust text size for comfortable reading • Choose Light, Dark, or System appearance • Navigate with Back, Forward, and Home controls • Highlight passages for later reference • Share selected text using the standard iOS share sheet • Remove imported books from your library at any time • Contact us from Settings • Optional lifetime ReadPDB Pro for unlimited imports after three free books Offline reading ReadPDB has no accounts, subscriptions, advertising, or tracking. Your books remain on your device and are never uploaded. Optional ReadPDB Pro is a one-time in-app purchase processed by Apple. Purchase status is recorded with RevenueCat so the unlock can be restored. The bundled sample does not count toward the three-book free library. Compatibility ReadPDB currently supports compatible, non-DRM iSilo 3 documents and PalmDOC-family documents (including TealDoc and AportisDoc). The .pdb extension was shared by many Palm OS applications, so other .pdb files may use formats that ReadPDB cannot open. The following are not currently supported: • Password- or registration-protected books • MOBI and other Palm Database variants • Damaged or corrupted files • Unrelated files that also use the .pdb extension • PDF documents • Embedded images within documents ReadPDB does not include, sell, or download books. Import only documents that you own or have permission to use.

Screenshots

Hymns Mobile4 screens
ReadPDB4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ReadPDB at none against Hymns Mobile's 3. ReadPDB also leads on update cadence (daily 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Hymns Mobile sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. ReadPDB asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hymns Mobile ships an update every 3 weeks, ReadPDB daily. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Hymns Mobile versus ReadPDB: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHymns MobileReadPDB
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (88 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings88 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size89 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChong LuJaime Martin Lozano

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Hymns Mobile

One-time3
  • 1 Coffee$4.99
  • 5 Coffees$24.99
  • 10 Coffees$49.99
None

ReadPDB

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hymns Mobile free?
Hymns Mobile is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ReadPDB free?
ReadPDB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Hymns Mobile or ReadPDB have ads?
Neither Hymns Mobile nor ReadPDB shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hymns Mobile or ReadPDB?
Hymns Mobile ships an update every 3 weeks, and ReadPDB daily. Most recently, Hymns Mobile was updated on October 17, 2026 and ReadPDB on October 4, 2026.

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