Comparison

SideBooks vs Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Realistic paper curl animation
  • Multiple viewing directions
  • Enhanced bookshelf management
  • Password protection
  • Dropbox and iTunes file import
  • Supports PDF, ZIP, CBZ, RAR, CBR
Features
Read full description

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

About

Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF

This app allows users to read comic books in CBR, CBZ, and PDF formats. It offers features like smart library organization, automatic progress saving, and an ad-free experience. Premium features include unlimited imports and custom collections.

Highlights
  • Supports CBR, CBZ, and PDF formats
  • Import from local storage/USB
  • Automatic reading progress saving
  • Customizable comic collections
  • Ad-free reading experience
  • Eye comfort mode (blue light filter)
Features
Read full description

The Comic Reader App for CBR, CBZ & PDF Fans ComiQuest is a powerful and elegant comic reader app designed for enthusiasts of every kind — whether you’re reading .cbr comics, .cbz archives, or .pdf issues. Dive into your favorite stories with smooth navigation, smart library features, and zero distractions. Read Comic Books Enjoy full support for popular file formats: CBR, CBZ, and PDF. Open your collection without converting or switching apps. Easy File Access Import comic books directly from your local storage or USB drives. ComiQuest recognizes and opens your files effortlessly. Save Your Reading Progress Jump back into your comics right where you left off. Your reading progress is automatically tracked for every title and format. Organize Your Comic Book Collection Sort your comics into custom comic book collections. Whether you’re managing graphic novels, manga, or webtoons, your library stays tidy and easy to navigate. 100% Ad-Free Reading Focus on your comics without distractions. ComiQuest offers a clean, ad-free reading experience across all supported formats. Eye Comfort Mode An experimental blue light filter helps reduce eye strain — currently available for CBR and CBZ files. Go Premium to Unlock: Unlimited imports of CBR, CBZ & PDF files Unlimited custom collections Continuous feature updates and ad-free access Payments and Renewal: Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Account settings at any time after purchase No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active period. Read our privacy policy and terms of use: https://madmustachecompany.com/comiquest-privacy-policy.html https://madmustachecompany.com/comiquest-terms.html

Screenshots

SideBooks4 screens
Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF4 screens

Verdict

The call

SideBooks and Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 87% of Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF's written reviews are positive against 74% of SideBooks's. SideBooks's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.4). On price, rating, ratings volume 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SideBooks sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for SideBooks against 4.5 for Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 97 and 36 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 74% of SideBooks's written reviews are positive against 87% of Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SideBooks ships an update every 9 days, Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SideBooks versus Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSideBooksComic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (97 ratings) — better4.5 (36 ratings)
Positive reviews73.7% of reviews87.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings97 — better36
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB96 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTatsumi-system Co., Ltd.Alexandre Guidet

Customer experience

SideBooks

All ratings97 ratings
Positive92.8%
Neutral2.1%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews518 reviews
Positive73.7%
Neutral9.1%
Negative17.2%

Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF

All ratings36 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive87.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative8.7%

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
Show 1 more
  • Implement a more intuitive file management system

Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SideBooks

One-time1
  • Thema extension Add-On$0.99
11 purchases

Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF

Subscriptions8
  • Monthly subscription$1.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Monthly subscription sale1 Month trial$4.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription$12.991 Year
  • Lifetime$17.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription$29.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription sale1 Year trial$29.991 Year
One-time3
  • Lifetime$22.99
  • Lifetime$34.99
  • Lifetime Premium$69.99

Questions

Is SideBooks free?
SideBooks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF free?
Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SideBooks or Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF?
SideBooks is rated higher. SideBooks averages 4.6 out of 5 from 97 ratings, while Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF averages 4.5 from 36 ratings.
Do SideBooks or Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF have ads?
Neither SideBooks nor Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SideBooks or Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF?
SideBooks ships an update every 9 days, and Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF fortnightly. Most recently, SideBooks was updated on October 15, 2026 and Comic Reader CBR, CBZ & PDF on October 13, 2026.

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