SideBooks vs WhiteBook*
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SideBooks
This app offers a high-performance PDF and comic viewer with realistic paper-turning animations. It supports various viewing directions, enhanced bookshelf management, and secure password protection for your documents. Easily import files from multiple sources and enjoy a customizable reading experience.
- Realistic paper curl animation
- Multiple viewing directions
- Enhanced bookshelf management
- Password protection
- Dropbox and iTunes file import
- Supports PDF, ZIP, CBZ, RAR, CBR
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SideBooks is a high performance, high speed PDF viewer that allows you to enjoy reading with the feel of actual paper. =Features= Curl animation that simulates the actual turning of paper pages has been added to the standard page slide function. Supports viewing from 3 directions, documents that open left to right, right to left and vertically. It provides the optimal environment for viewing any book. All zoom rates have been optimized providing high speed, dynamic screen display. An infinite hierarchy of folders can be created, moved, deleted, renamed, etc. using the enhanced bookshelf management function. Real visual bookshelf function that corresponds to back cover style display. Files can be imported by 3 methods, Network transfer through Dropbox, USB transfer through iTunes and direct transfer from other applications. Books can be protected so others cannot view them by using the password protected locking function. This is a universal application that operates on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. =Functions= Overall: *Brightness Adjustment *Screen rotates to match the orientation of the device *Screen Rotation Lock *Password Protected Start-up Lock Viewer: *Support PDF,ZIP,CBZ,RAR and CBR format *Page Turning: Choose from slide or curl *Viewing Directions: Choose from opening left to right / right to left / vertically *Page Spacing: Choose form wide / narrow / none *Facing Pages: Choose the pair of facing pages by setting the cover to on or off *Trim function within the range of page display *Cache pre-read function for the previous and next pages *Set the display for each book and remember the page number of the last page read *Text search function (list display type) *Contents function (also supports hierarchy type) *Bookmark function (with editable memos) *Edit handwritten notes *Send to other applications (Open-In) *Send by email *Printing function (Air Print) *In-page link function *Link to outside URL function (built-in browser / Safari / Printing) *Display / Don't Display link buttons *Page turning function using tap or swipe *Expansion / Contraction function using pinch and double tap (1-1024x zoom) *Viewing of encrypted PDF files with password protection *Display / non-display of statusbar when reading Bookshelf: *Display form: Choose form list bookshelf / visual bookshelf *Function to set theme of visual bookshelf with each folder *Bookshelf thema extension pack (Add-On) *Cover editing function (corresponds to the trim) *File editing function: create, move, delete, setting for all books in folder *Bookmark list *Reading history list *Unread list *Edit of mark choose form already read / unread *Book name search function *Network transfer through Dropbox *USB transfer through iTunes *Direct transfer from other applications Special thanks to, "Give My Regards to Black Jack" SHUHO SATO Manga on Web http://mangaonweb.com
WhiteBook*
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WhiteBook* : An app that can be managed books as if you were arranging them on a bookshelf. -The biggest feature of the app Most existing book management apps place (manage) books using the cover, but our app uses a spine-like placement by default.You can organize and manage your books in a manner similar to a bookshelf in a bookstore or home.By using an arrangement like the spine, you can check the book from a bird's-eye view.You can also switch to a cover of book. That is, you can interweave the a cover and spine covers.Therefore, you are able to place books with your own arrangement.Please, see also app store preview. -Other features + Home screen with a bookshelf as a motif -> The home screen uses a white-based bookshelf as an interface so that you can check the necessary information. We plan to provide various information about books on the home screen. +Function to "TSUNDOKU" books you want to read ->There is a "Tsundoku" area on the bookshelf on the home screen, and it is designed to stack books that you want to read later / someday. You can also check the details of the registered book by clicking the area. In addition, you can register the status of Tsundoku (before purchase / purchased, etc.) on the details screen, and you can add the read books to the bookshelf. -Privacy policy: https://premiumcolors.github.io/privacy-policy/ -Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: SideBooks at none against WhiteBook*'s shown. SideBooks also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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. SideBooks sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and WhiteBook* sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
SideBooks ships an update every 9 days, WhiteBook* monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SideBooks | WhiteBook* |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (97 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 72.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 97 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 32 MB | 41 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tatsumi-system Co., Ltd. | Tatsuya Fujisaka |
Bugs and requests
SideBooks
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes when opening certain PDF files
- Corrupted files cause repeated crashes
- Dropbox integration issues on some devices
Requested features
6 requests- Add support for ePub and other popular formats
- Implement iCloud/Google Drive integration
- Allow manual rearrangement of bookshelf
- Add dark mode and customizable background options
- Improve bookmark and annotation features
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- Implement a more intuitive file management system
WhiteBook*
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SideBooks
- Thema extension Add-On$0.99
WhiteBook*
- WhiteBook* plus$3.991 Month
Questions
Is SideBooks free?
Is WhiteBook* free?
Do SideBooks or WhiteBook* have ads?
Which is updated more often, SideBooks or WhiteBook*?
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