# CalcBox vs Candy Reader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Candy Reader at none against CalcBox's 2. Candy Reader also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). CalcBox's advantage is ratings volume (362 vs 1). On price and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CalcBox sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Candy Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Candy Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CalcBox has 362 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

CalcBox ships an update every 3 weeks, Candy Reader every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CalcBox | Candy Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (362 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calcbox-all-in-one-calculator/id6480165885/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/candy-reader/id6740163480/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **362** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 92.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 72 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Realbyte Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/560481813) | [Mark Ramrattan](https://appshunter.io/developer/480952372) |

## What reviewers say

### CalcBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calcbox-all-in-one-calculator/id6480165885)

This app combines numerous essential calculation tools into a single, user-friendly interface. It handles everything from basic arithmetic and unit conversions to financial planning, health tracking, and academic performance. Simplify your daily tasks with this comprehensive utility.

**Highlights:** Basic and scientific calculations, Extensive unit and currency conversion, Financial calculators (loan, deposit, tip, discount), Health and fitness trackers (BMI, ovulation), Time and date calculations (D-Day, world clock), Academic tools (GPA calculator)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| 1 Year Subscription | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ All-in-one calculator with comprehensive features
- 👍 User-friendly and intuitive interface
- 🆓 Free app with no mandatory payments
- 🔄 Unit conversion capabilities (currency, distance, weight, etc.)
- 📊 Calculation history tracking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📢 Excessive and intrusive advertisements
- 🚫 No option to remove ads permanently
- 😤 Ads cannot be closed easily
- 💳 Subscription model instead of one-time payment
- 🔄 Ad rotation with deceptive content

**Reported bugs**

- Ads cannot be closed with X button
- Excessive ads appearing after initial use period
- Deceptive ad behavior after one week of use

**Requested features**

- One-time payment option to remove ads permanently
- Premium ad-free version (like Money Manager app)
- Set as default calculator option
- Deposit/savings calculator with day-level precision
- Bitcoin/cryptocurrency support


### Candy Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/candy-reader/id6740163480)

This utility extension prevents comic readers from reverting to the first page after a short period of reading. It ensures a seamless comic reading experience without interruptions. Enjoy your comics without the frustration of being reset.

**Highlights:** Prevents page reset in comic readers, Seamless reading experience, Safari extension, Fixes 8-minute page revert bug

**Features:** Safari Extension

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CalcBox free?

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

### Is Candy Reader free?

Candy Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, CalcBox or Candy Reader?

Candy Reader is rated higher. CalcBox averages 4.8 out of 5 from 362 ratings, while Candy Reader averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do CalcBox or Candy Reader have ads?

CalcBox shows ads; Candy Reader does not.

### Which is updated more often, CalcBox or Candy Reader?

CalcBox ships an update every 3 weeks, and Candy Reader every 3 days. Most recently, CalcBox was updated on September 26, 2026 and Candy Reader on June 10, 2026.

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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.*