Comparison

MBraille vs Live Read

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

Head to head
About

MBraille

This app provides a mobile braille keyboard for typing, editing, and sending messages. It offers extensive braille support for various languages and allows interaction with other applications, making mobile devices more accessible.

Highlights
  • Mobile braille keyboard
  • Type, edit, and send messages
  • Support for contracted and uncontracted braille
  • Call contacts and send emails
  • Facebook status updates and calendar entries
  • Internet search queries
  • Third-party application interaction
Features
Read full description

MBraille: Braille-First Notetaker for iPhone and iPad MBraille turns your iPhone or iPad into a braille-first workspace for writing, editing, and everyday tasks. More than a keyboard, it combines fast touchscreen braille entry with navigation, editing, commands, and file tools for users who want an efficient eyes-free workflow. Write with a customizable 6-dot layout, hear immediate speech feedback, and control the app with short gestures. MBraille supports both contracted and uncontracted braille in many languages, so you can work the way you already know. Key features: - Fast touchscreen braille input with customizable dot positions - Designed for VoiceOver and supports self-voicing when VoiceOver is off - Rich editing with cursor movement, read-back, selection, copy, cut, paste, undo, erase, and search - Notes, saved files, bookmarks, command history, and quick navigation - Command mode for messages, phone calls, email, calendar events, web search, opening apps, file management, and help - On-device voice dictation - Aliases and gesture bindings for repeated phrases and frequent commands - Cloud sync for MBraille files with Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive - One-handed mode and external keyboard support - Speech feedback by character, word, sentence, and more MBraille is built for real daily use: taking notes, writing messages, managing files, launching actions, and staying in braille from start to finish. If you want a braille-first notetaker and Swiss army knife for iPhone or iPad, MBraille gives you speed, control, and flexibility in one app. EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Live Read

This app uses your device's camera to instantly read printed text aloud. It's designed for individuals with visual impairments, offering an accessible way to read mail, signs, books, and more without internet or setup. Enjoy customizable speech and offline functionality for independent reading.

Highlights
  • Automatic real-time text reading
  • Tap and swipe gesture controls
  • Customizable natural voice options
  • Offline functionality
  • Supports over 50 languages
  • Private and secure on-device processing
Read full description

Live Read turns your camera into a personal reading companion. It instantly finds printed text and speaks it aloud, giving people with visual impairments an easy way to read independently. No setup, no clutter. Read anything around you From mail and books to signs, menus, and labels, Live Read makes everyday reading effortless at home or on the go. Designed for accessibility Every part of Live Read is built for ease of use. Just open the app, point the camera, and it starts reading automatically. Tap anywhere to stop or reset, or swipe to move between lines. Turning on VoiceOver will replace the swipe gestures with buttons. Features • Automatic reading: Text is detected and spoken aloud in real time. • Tap or swipe control: Tap to stop or reset. Swipe left to repeat a line or right to skip ahead a line of text. • Customizable speech: Choose from natural Apple voices and adjust speaking speed. • Works offline: Reads instantly without an internet connection. • Multi-language support: Recognizes printed text in 50+ languages. • Private and secure: Live Read never saves or sends anything you scan. All processing happens instantly and entirely on your device. Disclaimer: Live Read is not a medical device. Text recognition results may not always be accurate or complete. Please use your own judgment and verify information when needed. Testimonial "I am using it on my phone now. It works amazing! And I'm reading an Irish bagpipe music book so the words are unusual and the computer is getting it pretty much right on." - Vision Piping

Screenshots

MBraille1 screens
Live Read3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Live Read at none against MBraille's 5. Live Read also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 70%). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MBraille sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Live Read asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MBraille ships an update every 3 weeks, Live Read every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
MBraille versus Live Read: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMBrailleLive Read
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.0% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—7 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size123 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMPajaRyan Anetsberger

Customer experience

MBraille

Written reviews60 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral3.3%
Negative26.7%

Live Read

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

MBraille

Reported bugs

25 issues
  • Subscription prompt for full version owners after update
  • App not working smoothly since iOS 26 update
  • Restore purchase not finding previous full version purchases
  • Multiple exclamation marks problem
  • Third-party MBraille Keyboard from within apps not working
Show 20 more
  • App no longer speaks after iOS 13.1 update
  • Typing not recognized correctly
  • Help function links not working
  • Cannot use delete whole word gesture
  • Standard virtual keyboard impossible to find in other apps
  • Three finger swipe gesture inconsistent
  • Clipboard functions hit and miss
  • Self-voicing mode has erratic touch behavior
  • App doesn't always recognize all fingers on screen
  • Fixed position of dots requires finger adjustment
  • Cannot correctly translate inputted braille to print
  • Does not use iOS braille tables
  • Clipboard is very difficult to clear
  • Feature that sends text directly from mBraille is inconsistent
  • Erratic touch behavior with VoiceOver on iOS 7
  • App not working at all
  • Black screen with white dots along the edge, no response
  • Not working for some users
  • Cannot use 6 dots to write 'for'
  • Accidental tapping on banner when notification comes through

Requested features

14 requests
  • Bring back working third-party MBraille Keyboard from within apps
  • Fix multiple exclamation marks problem
  • Lower the full price to about five dollars at the maximum
  • Fix beeps to clicks for key presses
  • Add sound similar to brailler embossing head for blank line command
Show 9 more
  • Add a gesture to send messages
  • Improve iPad support
  • Expand to a fully integrated notetaker
  • Implement braille properly on iPhone (developer suggestion)
  • Add switchable keyboard orientations to iPad version
  • Improve clipboard clearing functionality
  • Implement more braille contractions
  • Fix issues with pasting text to other apps
  • Make the feature that sends text directly from mBraille consistent

Live Read

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

MBraille

Subscriptions2
  • MBraille Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • MBraille Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time3
  • MBraille Keyboard$9.99
  • MBraille Documents and Keyboard$14.99
  • MBraille Full Version$39.99
None

Live Read

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MBraille free?
MBraille is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Live Read free?
Live Read is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do MBraille or Live Read have ads?
Neither MBraille nor Live Read shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MBraille or Live Read?
MBraille ships an update every 3 weeks, and Live Read every 2 weeks. Most recently, MBraille was updated on September 18, 2026 and Live Read on September 10, 2026.

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