# Manual Reads vs PDFBeam

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Manual Reads at none against PDFBeam's 1. Manual Reads also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDFBeam sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. Manual Reads asks for nothing beyond the download.

Manual Reads ships an update every 3 weeks, PDFBeam every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Manual Reads | PDFBeam |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/manual-reads/id1552035778/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **6** | — |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 47 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Next Century Submetering Systems](https://appshunter.io/developer/994253846) | [AHMET SEZER FIDANCI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1875924111) |

## What reviewers say

### Manual Reads

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/manual-reads/id1552035778)

Manually input meter readings without needing specific hardware. This utility app simplifies data entry for submetering systems.

**Highlights:** Manual meter reading entry, No hardware installation required, Data input for submetering systems, User-friendly interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### PDFBeam

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdfbeam-pdf-to-qr-code/id6783460047)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium | $0.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Manual Reads free?

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

### Is PDFBeam free?

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

### Do Manual Reads or PDFBeam have ads?

Neither Manual Reads nor PDFBeam shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Manual Reads or PDFBeam?

Manual Reads ships an update every 3 weeks, and PDFBeam every 2 weeks. Most recently, Manual Reads was updated on October 24, 2026 and PDFBeam on October 24, 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.*