# ReadKit vs Mlem for Lemmy

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mlem for Lemmy at none against ReadKit's 5. Mlem for Lemmy also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 56%) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). ReadKit's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ReadKit sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Mlem for Lemmy asks for nothing beyond the download.

Mlem for Lemmy holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 127 and 84 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of ReadKit's written reviews are positive against 80% of Mlem for Lemmy's.

ReadKit ships an update monthly, Mlem for Lemmy every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ReadKit | Mlem for Lemmy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (127 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/readkit-reading-hub/id1615798039/reviews) | **[4.6 (84 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mlem-for-lemmy/id6450543782/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **127** | 84 |
| Positive reviews | 56.3% of reviews | **80.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 44 MB | 71 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Balazs Varkonyi](https://appshunter.io/developer/338541078) | [Eric Andrews](https://appshunter.io/developer/1759193185) |

## What reviewers say

### ReadKit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/readkit-reading-hub/id1615798039)

This app consolidates your news feeds and saved articles into a single, distraction-free reading experience. It offers cross-platform syncing, advanced organization tools, and offline access to content. Enjoy enhanced readability with a customizable interface and powerful search capabilities.

**Highlights:** All-in-one reading hub, Cross-platform sync (iOS/macOS), Offline article access, Advanced organization (folders, tags), Enhanced reader mode, Customizable interface, Powerful search and filtering

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium Annual | $9.99 | per year |
| Premium Lifetime macOS | $19.99 | one-time |
| Premium Lifetime iOS | $19.99 | one-time |
| Premium Lifetime Universal | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Stunning modern design with excellent customization options
- 📱 Great iOS platform citizen with robust state restoration
- 🚀 Fast and reliable performance across devices
- ✨ Apple Intelligence AI summary feature implementation
- 🔄 Excellent gesture controls and natural navigation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Persistent toolbars that cannot be hidden in reading view
- 🔄 Inconsistent sync functionality across devices
- 💾 No iCloud sync support for local feeds
- 🔒 OPML import/export locked behind paywall
- 📊 Mac version feels like iPad port, not native macOS app

**Reported bugs**

- Persistent toolbars blocking distraction-free reading
- Background refresh not working reliably
- Wallabag sync errors and failures
- App crashes when integrating multiple services
- Reading articles not marking as read automatically

**Requested features**

- iCloud sync support for feeds and data
- Raindrop read-later service integration
- Sepia background option for light mode
- Widgets support
- Automatic reader view option


### Mlem for Lemmy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mlem-for-lemmy/id6450543782)

Experience the Fediverse through a native iOS app designed for seamless interaction with all major Lemmy instances. Enjoy powerful features like swipe actions, quick account switching, and extensive customization for an optimized mobile experience.

**Highlights:** Native iOS Swift development, Lemmy instance compatibility, Swipe actions, Account quick-switching, Customization options, Optimized backend

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ High quality and thoughtfully made app
- 👍 Joy to use
- 🌟 On par with Apollo for Reddit
- 🚀 Seamless Lemmy experience
- ✅ Mostly stable now

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Cannot sign up/validate username
- 🐛 Annoying bug: loses progress when switching apps
- 🐛 Bouncing back to feeds list is irritating
- 🐛 Minor bugs introduced with updates
- 🐛 Embedded content shows as links, not playable

**Reported bugs**

- Cannot validate username for account creation
- Loses progress when switching to another app while composing a post/reply
- App bounces back to the subscribed feeds list in various situations
- New bugs introduced with each update
- Embedded content (videos) only show as links

**Requested features**

- Customizability for each feed type (e.g., bold headlines)
- Larger card view option
- Compact view option
- Option to customize gestures
- Fix embedded content to be playable


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ReadKit free?

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

### Is Mlem for Lemmy free?

Mlem for Lemmy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ReadKit or Mlem for Lemmy?

Mlem for Lemmy is rated higher. ReadKit averages 4.3 out of 5 from 127 ratings, while Mlem for Lemmy averages 4.6 from 84 ratings.

### Do ReadKit or Mlem for Lemmy have ads?

Neither ReadKit nor Mlem for Lemmy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ReadKit or Mlem for Lemmy?

ReadKit ships an update monthly, and Mlem for Lemmy every 3 weeks. Most recently, ReadKit was updated on October 30, 2026 and Mlem for Lemmy on October 30, 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.*