ClaroPDF Pro vs Bookshare Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ClaroPDF Pro
This app transforms PDFs into accessible documents. It allows you to listen to text with synchronized highlighting, annotate PDFs with various tools, and convert image-based PDFs into searchable text. Manage and sync your files across devices for seamless study and productivity.
- Text-to-speech with synchronized highlighting
- PDF annotation tools (highlight, underline, notes)
- Image and PDF image to accessible text conversion
- Background speech playback
- Customizable readability settings
- iCloud synchronization
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ClaroPDF Pro is an accessible, reading and study PDF tool for all. Annotate, mark up, listen to and save PDF files which are then still fully compatible with other popular PDF apps. Have accessible text PDF files spoken back to you with human quality voice & synchronized highlighting. PDF image files or photographs of text can be converted to accessible, searchable PDF files using the Claro Cloud conversion service. + Speech, Productivity and Accessibility Alongside the full range of iOS system voices, ClaroPDF Pro lets you choose up to 4 high-quality voices for free, in the languages of your choice. A ‘Speak in Background’ option lets you listen to a PDF while viewing another app - great for proofreading PDF files while you’re working in other apps. The ‘Speak on tap’ and ‘Stop on tap’ options make speech easy to control. + ClaroPDF allows the background color of the PDF to be changed, and text color inverted, to enhance readability. ClaroPDF fully supports VoiceOver. + Annotations, Notes and Comments ClaroPDF includes a powerful Annotation toolbar that lets you add notes and other comments. These are fully interchangeable with most other popular PDF apps, so your ClaroPDF comments will still be there if you open the PDF on another device. Annotations created in another PDF app can also be viewed and edited. Annotation features include: highlight; underscore; strikeout; notes; free text (type straight into the PDF); free line draw; shapes (circle, square, line - with many options); images (you can even insert photos from your iPad camera or photo library into the PDF file); audio and video. + Photos and Image PDF to Text PDF Conversion You can convert photos and other images to fully accessible text PDF files that can be spoken, searched, copied and highlighted. As well as converting photos, you can also convert any PDF Image file into a fully accessible Text PDF file. Along with making these PDF files accessible and searchable, it will also compress them, reducing file size. 5000 pages and photos can be converted using the 5000 included credits. Further credit can be purchased in app. Photos and Image PDF to Text PDF Conversion in ClaroPDF uses the Claro Cloud conversion service and requires an internet connection. ***Minimum camera spec: 2MP*** + Managing PDF Files PDF files can be opened in ClaroPDF from all other apps, including Mail and Safari. All opened PDF files will be placed in the ClaroPDF Documents List for later viewing. You can also open files from Dropbox, Google Drive, or import files via iTunes. PDF files can be saved into ClaroPDF’s Documents, Dropbox or Google Drive, sent by email, or opened in other apps that support PDF files. The ClaroPDF Documents List is fully customisable, allowing you to organise your PDF files and folders. + Sync with iCloud You can sync ClaroPDF with your iCloud account. This lets you store and synchronize your PDF files and annotations across multiple devices. Sync with iCloud can also act as a document backup so you can keep your documents safe. + Save as PDF Extension The "Save as PDF" Extension lets you convert text and images to PDF files from Safari, Notes, Photos and other apps using the iOS "Share" feature. When converted, these new PDF files will appear in your documents list inside ClaroPDF. + Included Text to Speech Voices Download any 4 of our high quality text to speech voices. Once you have downloaded your free voices, other Nuance Expressive, Acapela and CereProc voices are available to purchase in-app. + Switch Accessibility ClaroPDF responds to switch or Bluetooth keyboard commands: 1 (~1) Start speech 2 (~2) Stop speech 3 (~3) Turn to previous page 4 (~4) Turn to next page + Fullscreen mode Allows the full document to be seen without toolbars in view. Ideal for smaller screens! Need help with ClaroPDF or have any suggestions? Please email support@clarosoftware.com
Bookshare Reader
Access a vast library of ebooks designed for individuals with reading barriers. Enjoy high-quality audio narration and customize your reading experience with adjustable fonts, colors, and speeds. Continue reading seamlessly from where you left off.
- Access millions of ebooks
- High-quality audio narration
- Customizable reading experience
- Adjustable font size and colors
- Follow along with highlighted text
- Offline reading
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Get the official Bookshare Reader app. Access millions of ebooks from Bookshare, the world's largest library of ebooks for people with reading barriers like dyslexia, blindness, low vision, and physical disabilities. Listen to books in high quality audio and customize your reading experience in ways that work for you. Read bestsellers, new releases, textbooks and educational books, children’s books, young adult, mysteries, biographies, and more. Read your way with these customizable features: • Listen to books in high quality audio • Adjust reading speed, font size, and colors • Follow along with highlighted text • Navigate by page and chapter • Stop reading and pick up from your last spot • Download books and read offline To use Bookshare Reader, you must have a Bookshare membership. Learn more by visiting the Bookshare website.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Bookshare Reader at Free against ClaroPDF Pro's $9.99. Bookshare Reader also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 17). ClaroPDF Pro's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.3) and review sentiment (51% vs 36%). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads 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
Bookshare Reader is free to download; ClaroPDF Pro costs $9.99 up front. ClaroPDF Pro sells 17 one-off in-app purchases. Bookshare Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.
ClaroPDF Pro holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 48 and 68 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of ClaroPDF Pro's written reviews are positive against 36% of Bookshare Reader's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ClaroPDF Pro | Bookshare Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (48 ratings) — better | 3.3 (68 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 51.4% of reviews — better | 35.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 48 | 68 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 147 MB | 81 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Claro Software Limited | Benetech |
Customer experience
ClaroPDF Pro
Bookshare Reader
Bugs and requests
ClaroPDF Pro
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Bookshare Reader
Reported bugs
42 issues- Prolonged pauses in text-to-speech
- Library not syncing across devices
- Reading lists not syncing
- Reading progress not saved across devices
- Manga stuck on copyright page
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- Pages disappear during reading
- Trouble downloading books
- Frequent app crashes
- App won't load books
- App shuts down when typing
- App crashing repeatedly
- Books disappearing from library
- Cannot download added books
- Search tab closes the app
- Poor VoiceOver compatibility
- App crashes on any click
- Text-to-speech voice change kicks user out
- Copyright issues preventing audio playback
- Download errors
- Playback stops when screen is locked
- Clunky user interface
- Picture books not displaying images
- Unable to play videos from other sources
- Form controls not coded correctly for VoiceOver
- Cannot delete searched titles from library
- App requires screen to be on for reading
- Blank screen after orientation change
- Too many bugs and crashes
- Next chapter fails to load
- Blank white page after pausing and resuming
- Table of Contents only shows first few chapters
- App displays as phone screen on iPad
- Cannot access reading lists
- Synthesized speech has limited control
- Speech randomly cuts off
- Reading stops if phone ringer is off
- Pause/Play restarts from chapter beginning
- Text-to-speech voices do not indicate language
- Voice selection process is cumbersome
- No functional stop and start button
- Limited speaking speed options
- Paragraph by paragraph reading limitation
Requested features
38 requests- Fix prolonged pauses in text-to-speech
- Sync library across devices
- Sync reading lists across devices
- Save reading progress across devices
- Fix manga page navigation
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- Fix disappearing pages bug
- Improve book download reliability
- Fix app crashes
- Fix app shutdown when typing
- Improve VoiceOver compatibility
- Allow adjustment of speaking rate by specific value
- Make reading lists accessible
- Add highlighting for textbooks
- Improve navigation of Contents menu
- Highlight current location in Contents menu
- Include missing video content in textbooks
- Fix copyright issues for audio playback
- Allow background playback
- Add ability to listen to human-narrated audiobooks
- Add 'Read Now' for periodicals
- Add VoiceOver gestures for page turning
- Add percentage of reading completed on mobile devices
- Make downloaded books tab default on opening app
- Fix inability to delete searched titles
- Add 'where am I' feature (page/percentage)
- Fix blank screen after orientation change
- Make app accessible for students without teacher assignment
- Fix next chapter loading issue
- Fix blank white page after pause
- Fix incomplete Table of Contents
- Improve app scaling on iPad
- Fix inability to access reading lists
- Allow users to choose which word reader begins reading
- Fix paragraph by paragraph reading limitation
- Indicate language for text-to-speech voices
- Improve voice selection process
- Add functional stop and start button
- Increase speed options for text-to-speech
In-app purchases
ClaroPDF Pro
- JessFree
- HeatherFree
- 50 Credits$0.99
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- Jill$1.99
- Heather$1.99
- Micah$1.99
- Rod$1.99
- Will$1.99
- Allison$1.99
- Ava$1.99
- Susan$1.99
- Laura$1.99
- Rachel$1.99
- 200 Credits$3.99
- 5000 Credits$3.99
- Olivia$3.99
- 500 Credits$8.99
Bookshare Reader
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is ClaroPDF Pro free?
Is Bookshare Reader free?
Which has better reviews, ClaroPDF Pro or Bookshare Reader?
Do ClaroPDF Pro or Bookshare Reader have ads?
Which is updated more often, ClaroPDF Pro or Bookshare Reader?
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