# eLinus vs Fan Reader

The clearest difference is rating: Fan Reader at 4.2 against eLinus's 2.6. Fan Reader also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 67%). eLinus's advantage is iOS requirement (12.1 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Fan Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of eLinus's written reviews are positive against 80% of Fan Reader's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | eLinus | Fan Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elinus/id1586338098/reviews) | **[4.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fan-reader/id6759957355/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.1** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Linus Learning](https://appshunter.io/developer/1586338100) | [成文 郑](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879737544) |

## What reviewers say

### eLinus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elinus/id1586338098)

Access a vast collection of academic literature instantly on your mobile device. Sync your progress across platforms and customize your reading experience with adjustable fonts, sizes, and modes. Visit linusebooks.com for the optimal experience.

**Highlights:** Large academic library access, Cross-platform syncing, Customizable fonts and sizes, Adjustable reading modes, Instant access on mobile

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Fan Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fan-reader/id6759957355)

This app offers a streamlined reading experience for web fiction, removing forum clutter to present stories in a clean, book-like format. It allows users to organize their favorite web serials, track reading progress, and search for new content across various platforms.

**Highlights:** Removes forum clutter for focused reading, Organizes web fiction stories on a personal shelf, Displays cover art, synopsis, and chapter lists, Searchable story database, Adjustable font size and themes, Automatic progress saving, Clean chapter navigation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is eLinus free?

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

### Is Fan Reader free?

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

### Which has better reviews, eLinus or Fan Reader?

Fan Reader is rated higher. eLinus averages 2.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Fan Reader averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.

### Do eLinus or Fan Reader have ads?

Neither eLinus nor Fan Reader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, eLinus or Fan Reader?

eLinus ships an update every 3 weeks, and Fan Reader every 3 weeks. Most recently, eLinus was updated on September 30, 2026 and Fan Reader on September 25, 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.*