Bookmarks vs Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Bookmarks
Organize and save web content for later reading. Easily bookmark links, create custom folders, and track your reading progress. Syncs across devices and keeps your data private.
- Save links quickly
- Organize with custom folders
- Read later with progress tracking
- Share extension for easy bookmarking
- Private data, no tracking
- iCloud syncing across devices
- Import/export bookmark data
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Bookmarks - Read Later is your all-in-one app to save, organize, and read the web. Paste a URL, bookmark from Safari, or queue articles for later, with a clean reader, highlights, and powerful search built in. Download now and turn scattered links into a library you actually use. KEY FEATURES: • Save links instantly Copy a link or tap + to save. The app automatically fetches the thumbnail, title, and site info for a rich preview card. • Read Later & article reader Send pages to your reading list, track progress, and read in a distraction-free reader with optional dark mode. • Highlight text Select passages while reading, color-code highlights, add notes, and export them as Markdown. • Offline reading Download Read Later articles for offline access — perfect for flights, commutes, and spotty Wi‑Fi. • Quick search Find bookmarks fast by title, host name, or keywords. • Organize with folders Create folders with custom icons and keep your library tidy — nested folders supported. • Share Extension Save links directly from Safari and other apps. Tap Share and choose Bookmarks - Read Later. • Siri Shortcuts & widgets Add bookmarks with Shortcuts, open unread articles, and glance at your queue from a Home Screen widget. • Lock bookmarks Lock sensitive bookmarks to hide them behind Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. • Import & export Back up your library as JSON or import bookmarks from your browser’s exported HTML file. • iCloud Sync (Bookmarks Pro) Keep bookmarks, folders, and highlights in sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. • Privacy first No analytics or tracking. Your data stays on your device. Bookmarks - Read Later works beautifully on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. For more information, visit https://indiegoodies.com/bookmarks Terms of Use: https://indiegoodies.com/bookmarks/terms Privacy Policy: https://indiegoodies.com/bookmarks/privacy
Reader
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Reader turns the EPUBs you already own into books read aloud, in a voice you choose, entirely on your iPhone. CLASSIC BOOKS, BUILT IN Open the app and start listening. A shelf of classic novels is included free, with cover art made for them, refreshed for the season. No book purchases, no extra downloads, no account to make. YOUR OWN BOOKS TOO Bring any EPUB from Files, Safari, AirDrop, or another app. Standard Ebooks and Project Gutenberg both offer thousands of free, beautifully prepared books, and Reader points you to them. READ ALOUD, IN YOUR VOICE Reader uses Apple's built-in voices, so you can pick the one you actually want to listen to and change it whenever you like. Every word is highlighted as it is spoken, so you can follow along, look up, and find your place again. BUILT FOR LONG LISTENING • Playback continues with the screen locked, with controls on the Lock Screen • Adjust the reading pace from half speed to double • Your place is saved, and a book reopens where you left it • Jump between chapters, or scrub to any point • Choose your typeface and size, including OpenDyslexic WORKS ANYWHERE Reading and speech happen on your device. Once your books and voices are available, no connection is needed to listen, so Reader works on a plane, underground, or off the grid. Your books stay on your iPhone. FREE TO READ Every reading feature is available to everyone. There are no listening limits, no subscription, and no paid feature tier. Reader is supported by banner ads, with an optional one-time purchase to remove them. Reader is built and supported by one person who reads every message. If something is wrong or missing, write to nick@thefreereader.app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Reader at none against Bookmarks's 2. Bookmarks's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Bookmarks sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.
Bookmarks ships an update every 9 days, Reader every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Bookmarks | Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (23 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 65.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 23 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 81 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Khuong Pham | Nick Ueda |
In-app purchases
Bookmarks
- Unlimited Access$9.99
- Pro$14.99
Reader
No in-app purchases









