# Parallel Texts Reader vs FBReader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Parallel Texts Reader at none against FBReader's 2. Parallel Texts Reader also leads on rating (4.0 vs 3.7) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.0). FBReader's advantage is ratings volume (129 vs 10). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FBReader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Parallel Texts Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Parallel Texts Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FBReader has 129 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Parallel Texts Reader's written reviews are positive against 52% of FBReader's.

Parallel Texts Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, FBReader monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Parallel Texts Reader | FBReader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parallel-texts-reader/id659965112/reviews)** | [3.7 (129 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fbreader-epub-and-fb2-reader/id1067172178/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **129** |
| Positive reviews | **54.3% of reviews** | 52.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 3 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Ivan Savchenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/604749110) | [FBReader.ORG Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1067172177) |

## What reviewers say

### Parallel Texts Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parallel-texts-reader/id659965112)

Read books with instant, sentence-by-sentence translations in multiple languages. Listen to translations and tap words for more options like transcription and pronunciation. Features a growing library of over 370 books across various language pairs.

**Highlights:** Parallel text translation, Listen to sentence translations, Tap for word details, Extensive book library, Multiple language pairs, Reverse translation mode

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### FBReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fbreader-epub-and-fb2-reader/id1067172178)

A fast and versatile e-book reader supporting multiple formats like ePub, Kindle, and fb2. It offers cloud syncing for reading progress and a customizable interface. Upgrade to unlock unlimited library access and advanced features.

**Highlights:** Supports ePub, Kindle azw3, fb2, RTF, Word, HTML, and text, ePub3 and Readium LCP DRM support, Cloud syncing of library and reading positions, Customizable appearance and behavior options, Direct opening of downloaded files, Free version with library limits

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FBReader Full Edition | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and smooth reading experience
- 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
- 💡 Customizable font, margin, and layout options
- 🔒 Secure syncing across devices
- 🎨 Retro background textures

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 🔧 Lack of advanced organization features (folders, shelves)
- 🚫 No PDF support
- 🔍 Inconsistent search and book discovery
- 🔒 Privacy concerns around data collection

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues with Google Drive
- Deletion of books from library
- Formatting problems with large footnotes
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Vertical scrolling mode
- Improved bookmark and annotation tools
- Ability to add/change book covers
- Text-to-speech functionality
- Better library management (read/unread, collections)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Parallel Texts Reader free?

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

### Is FBReader free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Parallel Texts Reader or FBReader?

Parallel Texts Reader is rated higher. Parallel Texts Reader averages 4.0 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while FBReader averages 3.7 from 129 ratings.

### Do Parallel Texts Reader or FBReader have ads?

Neither Parallel Texts Reader nor FBReader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Parallel Texts Reader or FBReader?

Parallel Texts Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, and FBReader monthly. Most recently, Parallel Texts Reader was updated on October 23, 2026 and FBReader on October 29, 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.*