# NovelBar vs NovelsReader

The clearest difference is rating: NovelBar at 4.1 against NovelsReader's 1.4. NovelBar also leads on ratings volume (2.1K vs 60) and review sentiment (23% vs 7%). NovelsReader's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NovelBar sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days and NovelsReader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

NovelBar holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 1.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NovelBar has 2.1K ratings behind it against 60, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of NovelBar's written reviews are positive against 7% of NovelsReader's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NovelBar | NovelsReader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.1 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novelbar/id6453157225/reviews)** | [1.4 (60 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novelsreader/id6479294644/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.1K** | 60 |
| Positive reviews | **22.9% of reviews** | 6.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#26** | #183 |
| Size | 154 MB | 106 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [QVON](https://appshunter.io/developer/1683464261) | [HK IReader Technology Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1110639431) |

## What reviewers say

### NovelBar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novelbar/id6453157225)

**Currently charting:** #26 Top Grossing · Book, #148 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

Discover a vast library of trending novels across diverse genres, from romance to fantasy. This platform offers an immersive reading experience with a curated collection designed to transport you to new worlds. It also provides a gateway for aspiring authors to showcase their work.

**Highlights:** Vast library of trending novels, Diverse genres including romance and fantasy, Curated collection for every preference, Platform for aspiring authors, Immersive reading experience, Monthly subscription with bonus coins

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly subscription | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Monthly subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Weekly subscription | $25.99 | per 7 days |
| 300 Coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| 500 Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| 900 Coins | $8.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2000 Coins | $19.99 | one-time |
| 3000 Coins | $29.99 | one-time |
| 4100 Coins | $40.99 | one-time |
| 6000 Coins | $59.99 | one-time |
| 8000 Coins | $79.99 | one-time |
| 10000 Coins | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great stories
- 👍 Enjoyable reading experience
- 💡 Variety of book options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Exorbitant costs for reading chapters
- 🔒 Lack of transparency around subscription model
- 🐛 Technical issues like freezing, glitches
- ⏱️ Slow coin accumulation for free reading

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent chapter pricing
- Subscription benefits not being properly applied
- Search function not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Option to purchase full books instead of chapters
- Improved customer support responsiveness
- Better editing and proofreading of stories


### NovelsReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novelsreader/id6479294644)

**Currently charting:** #183 Top Grossing · Book (US App Store)

Explore a vast collection of addictive novels across various genres, from romance to fantasy. Get personalized recommendations, bookmark your favorite stories, and enjoy a comfortable reading experience with night mode. Subscribe for unlimited, uninterrupted access to captivating plots and literary journeys.

**Highlights:** Extensive library of novels, Personalized recommendations, Bookmark favorite novels, Night mode for comfortable reading, Seamless reading experience, Unlimited reading with subscription

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NovelsReader weekly VIP | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| NovelsReader weekly VIP | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| NovelsReader yearly VIP | $129.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Stories are excellent
- 👍 Well-written novels
- 👍 No ads or coins needed for reading
- 👍 Cheap weekly subscription (initially)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Extremely expensive subscriptions
- 💸 Deceptive pricing and hidden fees
- 💸 Charged after cancellation
- 💸 Subscription difficult to cancel
- 💸 Not free after initial chapters

**Reported bugs**

- Cannot log out
- App keeps closing when clicking a title
- Loading failed after payment
- Cannot find cancellation option
- Cannot exit a book to go back to the main page

**Requested features**

- Allow users to log out
- Provide clear indication if a series is unfinished
- Offer more new stories
- Improve navigation within the app
- Allow watching ads for chapters


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NovelBar free?

NovelBar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is NovelsReader free?

NovelsReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, NovelBar or NovelsReader?

NovelBar is rated higher. NovelBar averages 4.1 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while NovelsReader averages 1.4 from 60 ratings.

### Do NovelBar or NovelsReader have ads?

Both NovelBar and NovelsReader show ads.

### Which is updated more often, NovelBar or NovelsReader?

NovelBar ships an update every 3 weeks, and NovelsReader every 3 weeks. Most recently, NovelBar was updated on October 17, 2026 and NovelsReader on October 15, 2026.

### Which is more popular, NovelBar or NovelsReader?

NovelBar currently peaks at #26 in the App Store charts, and NovelsReader at #183. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*