# GW Reader vs NovelSea

The clearest difference is rating: NovelSea at 5.0 against GW Reader's 3.8. GW Reader's advantage is ratings volume (8 vs 2). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GW Reader sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and NovelSea sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

NovelSea holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 2 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 0% and 0% positive.

GW Reader ships an update every 2 weeks, NovelSea every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 29, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GW Reader | NovelSea |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gw-reader/id1635936451/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novelsea/id6443460605/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **8** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 66 MB | 81 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [GW READER SDN. BHD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1635936453) | [天明 丘](https://appshunter.io/developer/1693523755) |

## What reviewers say

### GW Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gw-reader/id1635936451)

Discover a vast library of web novels, including bestsellers and exclusive originals across various genres. Customize your reading experience with adjustable settings and earn rewards through daily tasks and community engagement. Writers can also join to share their work with a global audience.

**Highlights:** Vast web novel library, Customizable reading experience, Daily task rewards, Community engagement, Personalized recommendations, Writer platform

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 | $0.99 | one-time |
| 200 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Special offer | $1.99 | one-time |
| 400 | $3.99 | one-time |
| 800 | $7.99 | one-time |
| 1400 | $13.99 | one-time |
| 2000 | $19.99 | one-time |


### NovelSea

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novelsea/id6443460605)

Access a vast library of high-quality novels and e-books updated daily. Download your favorites for offline reading and enjoy a personalized, immersive experience with customizable settings and eye-care modes.

**Highlights:** Massive novel library, Daily updates, Offline reading, Customizable reading experience, Night mode, Powerful search function

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Service Pack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Service Pack 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Service Pack 5 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Service Pack 23 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Service Pack 7 | $14.99 | one-time |
| Service Pack 9 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Service Pack 11 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Service Pack 10 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Service Pack 12 | $34.99 | one-time |
| Service Pack 24 | $49.99 | one-time |
| Service Pack 14 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Service Pack 16 | $79.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GW Reader free?

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

### Is NovelSea free?

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

### Which has better reviews, GW Reader or NovelSea?

NovelSea is rated higher. GW Reader averages 3.8 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while NovelSea averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do GW Reader or NovelSea have ads?

Neither GW Reader nor NovelSea shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GW Reader or NovelSea?

GW Reader ships an update every 2 weeks, and NovelSea every 3 weeks. Most recently, GW Reader was updated on August 29, 2026 and NovelSea on June 11, 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.*