Hedgehog reader vs Ask Illume
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Hedgehog reader
This app allows you to read a wide variety of e-book and audiobook formats, organize your personal library, and even translate text offline. It offers features like full-text search, typo correction, and text-to-speech functionality.
- Supports multiple e-book and audiobook formats
- Organize library with shelves, search, and filtering
- Offline text translation
- Full-text search and notes
- Typo correction
- Text-to-speech with adjustable speed
- Import from local devices and cloud storage
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An app for reading books and organizing a personal library. The supported formats are FB2, MOBI, EPUB, DOCX, CBZ, CHM, RTF, HTML, MHTML, WebArchive, PDF, MD, TXT, and MP3, M4A, M4B for audiobooks. Import from local devices, iCloud, and Dropbox, as a single book and as a batch. An ability to create an internal shelves structure with search and filtering by genre, keywords, languages, series, and ratings. An ability to translate (even when there is no Internet connection) selected words and phrases to the chosen language, by presetting the list of languages to translate from. An ability to perform a full-text search throughout the entire library and the notes added to books. An ability to quickly correct typos in a book. Reading the text aloud (even when there is no Internet connection) with different variants of speed and operating from the music control. Bookmarks and notes with the ability to upload the latter as a file. An ability to directly download books from servers that support OPDS. Automatic synchronization of library content (and reading progress) across multiple devices.
Ask Illume
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AskIllume is a thoughtfully curated space for readers and art lovers to discover what belongs with them. Ask questions and receive personalized book recommendations, explore community clubs and conversations, and browse a growing cultural commons shaped by real readers. Inside AskIllume you can: • Discover books through guided questions and recommendations • Join clubs and community discussions • Build personal bookshelves and collections • Explore art, ideas, and shared reading life AskIllume is designed to feel calm, intentional, and human—whether you’re searching for your next great read or simply lingering among ideas. No in-app purchases. Books and event registrations are completed on trusted external sites.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ask Illume at none against Hedgehog reader's 2. Ask Illume also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.7). On price, update cadence 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. Hedgehog reader sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Ask Illume asks for nothing beyond the download.
Hedgehog reader ships an update fortnightly, Ask Illume every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Hedgehog reader | Ask Illume |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (17 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 17 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.7 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 59 MB | 193 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Anna Diubina | Jennifer L Perry |
In-app purchases
Hedgehog reader
- Advertisement free mode$5.99
- Book export$14.99
Ask Illume
No in-app purchases
