Comparison

ComicReader vs Screens 5

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

Head to head
About

ComicReader

This application is designed for iPad users with extensive comic collections. It offers a polished interface to manage and read thousands of comics without performance issues. Import comics via iTunes, Wi-Fi web server, or the Files app.

Highlights
  • Polished interface
  • Handles large comic collections (1500+ comics)
  • Background comic import
  • No pre-processing required
  • Supports CBR, CBZ, and PDF
  • Multiple import methods (iTunes, Wi-Fi, Files app)
Features
Read full description

Your comics, ready when you are. ComicReader is a free, open-source comic book reader for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Bring your own comics, organise them into collections and enjoy the page in full screen. READ YOUR WAY • Open PDF, CBZ/ZIP and classic CBR/RAR comic archives. • Zoom into the artwork and move between pages with simple gestures. • Keep track of unread, in-progress and read books. • Return to your current comic when you reopen the app. • Read your imported comics offline. FREE PAGE TEXT • Recognise text on the page you are reading. • Select and copy recognised text, or share a phrase with the comic filename and page number. • Embedded PDF text is used when available; image-only pages are recognised on your device. BUILD YOUR LIBRARY • Select one or more comics with the system file picker. • Transfer books from another device using the built-in local-network uploader. • Connect your preferred WebDAV client. • On iPhone and iPad, use Finder or iTunes File Sharing over USB. • Group comics into folders and sort your collection by name, date or reading status. FREE ICLOUD SYNC • Keep your own comic files, read/unread status and current page in sync across your devices. • Open Free iCloud Sync from its dedicated toolbar button and choose whether to enable it. • Sync uses your personal iCloud Drive storage. iCloud Drive, sufficient storage and an internet connection are required. • Downloaded comics remain available offline. OPTIONAL COMICREADER PLUS ComicReader Plus is an optional non-consumable, one-time in-app purchase. Its localized price is shown before purchase. It adds four groups of tools: • Comic Search & Quotes: build a persistent page-by-page index for the comic you are reading, search its indexed pages and jump to a result. Save selected passages as editable quotes, then share them or return to their source page. • Custom Reading Lists: arrange comics in your own order without moving their files. Smart Queues gather Continue Reading, Unread and Read Again across folders. • Named Page Bookmarks for saving and returning to memorable pages. • Image Filters: Clear Ink, Grayscale and Warm Paper choices in the reader. Try the free preview; Original always remains available. Indexing can be stopped and resumed, and available pages can be searched while it continues. Search is limited to the current comic rather than the whole library. Recognition results vary with language, scan quality and stylised lettering, so check text before saving or sharing it. Search indexes, saved quotes, Reading Lists and Page Bookmarks stay on this device and are not included in iCloud sync. Saved quotes remain available to read, share and open if Plus is no longer active. Image Filters change only the on-screen rendering and never modify your comic files; Original restores the normal artwork. Current-page text recognition, copying, system sharing, reading, importing, transfers and iCloud sync remain free. Use the same Apple Account to restore your one-time Plus purchase across iPhone, iPad and Mac. There is no subscription, and no comics are included with the upgrade. FREE AND OPEN SOURCE ComicReader includes unlimited local-network transfers. It is based on ComicFlow and available under the GPL v3 licence. Source code: https://github.com/pclemente/ComicReader Original project: https://github.com/swisspol/ComicFlow ComicReader is a reader for files you provide. The sample comics shown in the screenshots are not included.

About

Screens 5

Access and control your Mac, Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi computers remotely from any device. Enjoy fast, secure connections with features like privacy masking, multi-display support, and file transfer.

Highlights
  • Remote computer access
  • Secure connections
  • Multi-display support
  • Clipboard sharing
  • File transfer
  • Privacy masking (Curtain Mode)
Features
Read full description

Access your computers from anywhere. Screens lets you remotely access your Mac, Windows PC, Linux PC, or Raspberry Pi from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Vision Pro. Whether you’re connecting to a remote workstation, a headless Mac mini, or helping friends and family, Screens delivers fast, secure, and reliable remote desktop access wherever you are. REMOTE ACCESS FROM ANYWHERE Remote access is built right into Screens on Mac. For older Macs and Windows PCs, install Screens Connect to easily set up remote access over the internet. Need to connect to Linux or Raspberry Pi? Screens also integrates with Tailscale for secure, hassle-free connections. FAST, SECURE REMOTE DESKTOP ACCESS Screens is optimized for responsive remote control with support for: • Curtain Mode for private remote sessions on Mac • SSH connections and SSH keys • Secure password storage and quick logins • Observe or control remote computers • Adaptive and Full display quality BUILT FOR MODERN REMOTE WORKFLOWS Use Screens to: • Access remote Macs, PCs, Linux systems, and Raspberry Pi devices • Connect to headless Mac mini setups and remote workstations • Monitor long-running tasks from anywhere • Help friends, family, or coworkers remotely • Access your computers while traveling or away from home DO MORE WITH SCREENS Take advantage of powerful system features across iPhone and iPad: • Connect using Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight • Quickly connect to saved computers from widgets • Use external keyboards, mice, and trackpads • Use Apple Pencil on iPad • Display your remote computer on an external display with AirPlay POWERFUL FEATURES • Multi-display support • Clipboard sharing • File transfer between iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro and Mac • Customizable connection settings for individual computers • Dictation support for remote text input • Session selection on Mac • iCloud synchronization • Full URL Schemes support • Touch ID, Face ID, Apple Watch, and password protection COMPATIBILITY • Connect from iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro • Connect to Mac, Windows PC, Linux PC, and Raspberry Pi • Screens Connect is built into Screens for Mac on macOS 14.6 or later • Standalone Screens Connect is available for Macs running macOS 10.13 or later and PCs running Windows 10 or later • Clipboard sharing on Windows and Linux supports text only • Sound transmission is not supported due to VNC protocol limitations • Screens does not support connections to iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro devices Screens gives you secure, reliable access to your computers anytime, anywhere. Privacy Policy: https://screens.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://screens.app/terms

Screenshots

ComicReader1 screens
Screens 54 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Screens 5 at 4.5 against ComicReader's 3.5. Screens 5 also leads on review sentiment (49% vs 13%) and ratings volume (568 vs 51). ComicReader's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. ComicReader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Screens 5 sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Screens 5 holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screens 5 has 568 ratings behind it against 51, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of ComicReader's written reviews are positive against 49% of Screens 5's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ComicReader ships an update every 3 weeks, Screens 5 every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
ComicReader versus Screens 5: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterComicReaderScreens 5
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (51 ratings)4.5 (568 ratings) — better
Positive reviews12.5% of reviews49.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings51568 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB70 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPablo ClementeEdovia Inc.

Customer experience

ComicReader

All ratings51 ratings
Positive56.9%
Neutral11.8%
Negative31.4%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative75.0%

Screens 5

All ratings568 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral1.6%
Negative9.9%
Written reviews308 reviews
Positive49.0%
Neutral8.1%
Negative42.9%

Bugs and requests

ComicReader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Screens 5

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to delete auto-saved nearby devices
  • Inconsistent behavior when editing device configurations
  • Screens Connect failing to work reliably

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to block remote input while keeping remote desktop visible
  • File transfer between Mac and iOS/iPadOS
  • Upgrade pricing for existing users

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ComicReader

One-time1
  • ComicReader Plus$8.99
5 purchases

Screens 5

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Subscription$3.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.491 Year
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Family UpgradeFree
  • Lifetime2 variants$199.99

Questions

Is ComicReader free?
ComicReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screens 5 free?
Screens 5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ComicReader or Screens 5?
Screens 5 is rated higher. ComicReader averages 3.5 out of 5 from 51 ratings, while Screens 5 averages 4.5 from 568 ratings.
Do ComicReader or Screens 5 have ads?
Neither ComicReader nor Screens 5 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ComicReader or Screens 5?
ComicReader ships an update every 3 weeks, and Screens 5 every 2 weeks. Most recently, ComicReader was updated on October 13, 2026 and Screens 5 on October 15, 2026.

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