Comparison

Onion Browser vs PDF Reader Light & Simple

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

Head to head
About

Onion Browser

This app provides a secure and private way to browse the internet using the Tor network. It helps protect your privacy from website tracking, secures your traffic on public Wi-Fi, and allows access to .onion sites. It also offers features to block scripts and automatically clear cookies.

Highlights
  • Browse internet over Tor
  • Protect privacy from tracking
  • Secure traffic on wireless networks
  • Access .onion sites
  • Block scripts
  • Automatically clear cookies and tabs
Features
Read full description

Onion Browser is the original free and open-source Tor-powered web browser for iOS. Onion Browser helps you access the internet with more safety and privacy, and no extra cost to you. “The best Tor-related offering on iOS right now is Onion Browser” - The Daily Dot, October 14, 2015. Featured in: The New York Times, The Guardian, Salon, TechCrunch, Gizmodo, Boing Boing, Lifehacker, Macworld, The Daily Dot, & others. FEATURES: • Browse the internet over Tor: - Protect your privacy from website tracking - Secure your traffic from insecure wireless networks and ISPs - Access .onion sites that are only accessible over Tor. • Fight online tracking: block scripts and automatically clear cookies and tabs, based on your preferences. • And more privacy-enhancing features! DISCLAIMERS: - Web browsing is much slower than through a normal web browser or a VPN because your traffic is encrypted and relayed through the Tor network. - Onion Browser might not work on networks with advanced network restrictions. If the app does not connect, try using bridges (or a different type of bridge), force-quit, and then restart the app. - Use of Onion Browser is at your own risk; remember that sensitive data does not always belong on a mobile device. ** Onion Browser is free and open-source software. You can read more about Onion Browser and how to support development of Tor on iOS by visiting onionbrowser.com **

About

PDF Reader Light & Simple

Easily read PDF files with this lightweight and fast application. It offers optimized performance for iPhones and iPads, along with bookmark management and quick navigation features. Enjoy a seamless reading experience without any advertisements.

Highlights
  • Lightweight and fast performance
  • Optimized for iPhone and iPad
  • Bookmark management
  • Fast and easy navigation
  • Ad-free experience
Features
Read full description

Read your PDF files easily with our lightweight reader ! - Optimized for both iPhones and iPad - Lightweight and super fast - Bookmark management - Fast & easy navigation - Ad free!

Screenshots

Onion Browser4 screens
PDF Reader Light & Simple3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PDF Reader Light & Simple at 100% against Onion Browser's 42%. PDF Reader Light & Simple also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3). Onion Browser's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 19 months). On price, ads, 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

Both are free to download. Onion Browser sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. PDF Reader Light & Simple asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Onion Browser ships an update every 3 weeks, PDF Reader Light & Simple every 19 months. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Onion Browser versus PDF Reader Light & Simple: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnion BrowserPDF Reader Light & Simple
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (2.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews41.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.1K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 19 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB12 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMike TigasAdaptive Channel

Customer experience

Onion Browser

All ratings2,143 ratings
Positive52.4%
Neutral8.1%
Negative39.5%
Written reviews455 reviews
Positive41.8%
Neutral7.3%
Negative51.0%

PDF Reader Light & Simple

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Onion Browser

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Fails to connect to Tor network
  • Crashes or freezes when switching apps
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Inability to disable JavaScript completely

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to disable JavaScript
  • Improve tab management and browsing experience
  • Integrate with more privacy-focused search engines
  • Allow setting custom default search engine

PDF Reader Light & Simple

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Onion Browser

One-time3
  • Small Onion Browser Tip$0.99
  • Medium Onion Browser Tip$4.99
  • Large Onion Browser Tip$9.99
None

PDF Reader Light & Simple

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Onion Browser free?
Onion Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Reader Light & Simple free?
PDF Reader Light & Simple is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Onion Browser or PDF Reader Light & Simple have ads?
Neither Onion Browser nor PDF Reader Light & Simple shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Onion Browser or PDF Reader Light & Simple?
Onion Browser ships an update every 3 weeks, and PDF Reader Light & Simple every 19 months. Most recently, Onion Browser was updated on November 10, 2026 and PDF Reader Light & Simple on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons