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.
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.
- Browse internet over Tor
- Protect privacy from tracking
- Secure traffic on wireless networks
- Access .onion sites
- Block scripts
- Automatically clear cookies and tabs
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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 **
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.
- Lightweight and fast performance
- Optimized for iPhone and iPad
- Bookmark management
- Fast and easy navigation
- Ad-free experience
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Onion Browser sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. PDF Reader Light & Simple asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
| Parameter | Onion Browser | PDF Reader Light & Simple |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (2.1K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 41.8% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2.1K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 19 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 82 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mike Tigas | Adaptive Channel |
Customer experience
Onion Browser
PDF Reader Light & Simple
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
Onion Browser
- Small Onion Browser Tip$0.99
- Medium Onion Browser Tip$4.99
- Large Onion Browser Tip$9.99
PDF Reader Light & Simple
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Onion Browser free?
Is PDF Reader Light & Simple free?
Do Onion Browser or PDF Reader Light & Simple have ads?
Which is updated more often, Onion Browser or PDF Reader Light & Simple?
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