Comparison

iBunkoS vs ChatBooks

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

Head to head
About

iBunkoS

This app offers a realistic paper book reading experience on your iPhone, supporting various file formats like TXT, PDF, and comics. It includes features like a digital bookshelf, bookmarking with notes, and dictionary lookups.

Highlights
  • Realistic paper book interface
  • Supports TXT, PDF, CBZ, CBR files
  • 230+ built-in books and Aozora Bunko access
  • Customizable bookshelf and bookmarks
  • File transfer via USB, cloud, and servers
  • Dictionary lookup integration
  • Passcode lock for privacy
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

iBunkoS provides you the best way to read novels, documents and comic books on iPhone. Thanks to a realistic interface, you can enjoy reading as you would with a real paper book. Reading on your iPhone is now easier than ever! This is a great iPhone app for all the book lovers! Read books and comics in vertical setting with comfort ・Support both horizontal (left open) and vertical (right open) writings. ・The app automatically detects the binding direction of a PDF document. Double page spread and page effect ・When viewed landscape mode, the pages switch to the double page spread. The pages containing landscape format images are automatically treated as a double page spread. ・You can "flip" pages just like reading a real paper book. Feature about 230 built-in books and "Aozora Bunko" ・ You can download a book with simple controls from "Aozora Bunko", the Japanese digital library that provides copyright-free Japanese literary works. ・ The app comes with the well-known books from "Aozora Bunko". "Bookshelf" function ・Create a bookshelf as you need. ・You can easily choose a book you'd like to read by browsing the book covers displayed on the shelf. "Bookmark" function ・You can place as many bookmarks as you want and add notes on it. ・Select text as a bookmark in order to highlight the sentence. Supported file formats. iBunkoS supports the following file formats as books: - .txt, .pdf - .zip, .rar (containing .txt or .jpg/.png files) - .cbz, .cbr Transfer files ・Transfer the files using iTunes 'File Sharing' via the USB cable as well as via Dropbox, SkyDrive, pogoplug, Box, SugarSync. The app also supports both the WebDAV and the FTP servers. Utilize data from PDF ・Support the table of contents or hyperlinks on the file. ・Select and search words (when the data contains text). ・Using our own processing technology, app can select a Japanese words smoothly. Smart screen design removing the white space ・Eliminate unnecessary white space for better readability on the screen. Thumbnails of pages show quick reference for where you'd like to read ・List the page thumbnails at the bottom of the screen or in the full screen. ・The page with bookmarks will be attached a mark. You can also display only the page thumbnails which contain bookmarks. History back pages ・Viewed pages are saved in history so you can easily go back to the previous page. Look up words in the dictionary ・You can use the iPhone's built-in dictionary as well as other dictionary apps that support custom URL schemes. ・Just select text and tap the button to look up the word. Passcode lock ・You can set passcode lock on specific bookshelves or the "folder" screen that stored transferred files. Various page settings ・Available various settings such as enable/disable the flipping effect or change the position of the tap control. ・Customize your iBunkoS to suit your own preferences! You will find many more convenient functions and settings.

About

ChatBooks

Experience Japanese literary masterpieces as if their authors were alive today, posting their works on a social media timeline. Over 400 classic and modern works are available for unlimited reading, allowing you to follow favorite authors and share passages.

Highlights
  • Literary giants post works like social media
  • Over 400 masterpieces available
  • Unlimited reading of classics and modern literature
  • Follow favorite authors
  • Save and share favorite passages
  • Customizable timeline
Features
Read full description

◆ Natsume Soseki and Dazai Osamu are still tweeting today. 160 literary giants post entire works,one at a time,like a social media timeline. Enjoy reading masterpieces of Japanese literature during your commute or breaks. ◆ Over 400 masterpieces available for unlimited reading Includes masterpieces from Aozora Bunko,from classics to modern literature. Enjoy short stories and novels at your own pace. ◆ Follow your favorite literary giants Follow your favorite authors to customize your timeline. Save and share your favorite passages with likes and shares. ◆ What if those literary giants were alive today? Natsume Soseki,Dazai Osamu,Akutagawa Ryunosuke,Miyazawa Kenji— Those masterpieces arrive a little bit every day.

Screenshots

iBunkoS4 screens
ChatBooks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iBunkoS at 51% against ChatBooks's 0%. iBunkoS also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 27 months) and chart position (#176 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

iBunkoS costs $2.99 and ChatBooks $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iBunkoS ships an update every 2 months, ChatBooks every 27 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
iBunkoS versus ChatBooks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriBunkoSChatBooks
Price$2.99 — better$4.99
Rating4.4 (9 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews51.2% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings9 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 27 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#176 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB28 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperDWANGO Co., Ltd.KOJI HARA

Customer experience

iBunkoS

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews86 reviews
Positive51.2%
Neutral15.1%
Negative33.7%

ChatBooks

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

iBunkoS

No in-app purchases

None

ChatBooks

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iBunkoS free?
iBunkoS costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ChatBooks free?
ChatBooks costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do iBunkoS or ChatBooks have ads?
Neither iBunkoS nor ChatBooks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iBunkoS or ChatBooks?
iBunkoS ships an update every 2 months, and ChatBooks every 27 months. Most recently, iBunkoS was updated on November 1, 2026 and ChatBooks on November 1, 2026.

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