# Stage1st Reader vs 元书输入法

The clearest difference is rating: Stage1st Reader at 4.9 against 元书输入法's 4.4. Stage1st Reader also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (13.1 vs 16.0). 元书输入法's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. 元书输入法 sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Stage1st Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Stage1st Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 24 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 94% of Stage1st Reader's written reviews are positive against 100% of 元书输入法's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Stage1st Reader ships an update every 2 months, 元书输入法 every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Stage1st Reader | 元书输入法 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stage1st-reader/id509916119/reviews)** | [4.4 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id6744464701/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 12 | **24** |
| Positive reviews | 94.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 34 MB | 110 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.1** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [铮 李](https://appshunter.io/developer/1055189822) | [啸 付](https://appshunter.io/developer/1625078593) |

## What reviewers say

### Stage1st Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stage1st-reader/id509916119)

This unofficial mobile reader offers a fast and convenient way to browse the S1 forum. Enjoy a comfortable experience while accessing content from bbs.saraba1st.com/2b.

**Highlights:** Fast browsing, Convenient access, Comfortable user experience, Unofficial client, Mobile reader

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### 元书输入法

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id6744464701)

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly subscription (1 month) | $0.99 | per month |
| Annual subscription (1 year) | $4.99 | per year |
| Keyboard Pro(One-Time) | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Stage1st Reader free?

Stage1st Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is 元书输入法 free?

元书输入法 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Stage1st Reader or 元书输入法?

Stage1st Reader is rated higher. Stage1st Reader averages 4.9 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while 元书输入法 averages 4.4 from 24 ratings.

### Do Stage1st Reader or 元书输入法 have ads?

Neither Stage1st Reader nor 元书输入法 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Stage1st Reader or 元书输入法?

Stage1st Reader ships an update every 2 months, and 元书输入法 every 5 days. Most recently, Stage1st Reader was updated on October 9, 2026 and 元书输入法 on October 15, 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.*