# Joy Reader vs BlueStylus

The clearest difference is update cadence: Joy Reader at every 6 months against BlueStylus's every 26 months. Joy Reader also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Joy Reader ships an update every 6 months, BlueStylus every 26 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Joy Reader | BlueStylus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joy-reader/id507616869/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 months** | Every 26 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 83 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [tag.digital Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1757292257) | [TrusteSolutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/464962585) |

## What reviewers say

### Joy Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joy-reader/id507616869)

This application serves as a versatile viewer for numerous file formats, including DPA, PDF, and HTML. It offers multiple convenient methods for adding and accessing your documents, such as direct import from iTunes, URL links, or QR code scanning.

**Highlights:** Supports DPA, PDF, JPG, PNG, HTML file types, Add files from iTunes, Add files via JOY code/direct URL, Built-in QR code scanner, View files anytime, anywhere

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### BlueStylus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluestylus/id1063760143)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Joy Reader free?

Joy Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is BlueStylus free?

BlueStylus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Joy Reader or BlueStylus have ads?

Neither Joy Reader nor BlueStylus shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Joy Reader or BlueStylus?

Joy Reader ships an update every 6 months, and BlueStylus every 26 months. Most recently, Joy Reader was updated on October 5, 2026 and BlueStylus on October 4, 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.*