OrbitNote vs Helperbird
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
OrbitNote
This tool allows users to read, annotate, and listen to PDF documents. It converts image-based PDFs to accessible text and offers features like speech playback, highlighting, and iCloud sync for seamless document management across devices.
- Annotate PDFs with highlights, underscores, and notes
- Convert image PDFs to searchable text
- Listen to PDFs with human-quality voice playback
- Change background and text colors for readability
- Sync documents and annotations with iCloud
- Import/export PDFs from cloud storage and other apps
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OrbitNote is an accessible, reading and study PDF tool for all. Annotate, mark up, listen to and save PDF files which are then still fully compatible with other popular PDF apps. Have accessible text PDF files spoken back to you with human quality voice & synchronised highlighting. PDF image files or photographs of text can be converted to accessible, searchable PDF files and read in the app. + Speech, Productivity and Accessibility Alongside the full range of iOS system voices, OrbitNote comes with a range of high-quality voices in different languages. A ‘Speak in Background’ option lets you listen to a PDF while viewing another app - great for proofreading PDF files while you’re working in other apps. The ‘Speak on tap’ and ‘Stop on tap’ options make speech easy to control. + OrbitNote allows the background colour of the PDF to be changed, and text colour inverted, to enhance readability. OrbitNote fully supports VoiceOver. + Annotations, Notes and Comments OrbitNote includes a powerful Annotation toolbar that lets you add notes and other comments. These are fully interchangeable with most other popular PDF apps, so your OrbitNote comments will still be there if you open the PDF on another device. Annotations created in another PDF app can also be viewed and edited. Annotation features include: highlight; underscore; strikeout; notes; free text (type straight into the PDF); free line draw; shapes (circle, square, line - with many options); images (you can even insert photos from your iPad camera or photo library into the PDF file); audio and video. + Photos and Image PDF to Text PDF Conversion You can convert photos and other images to fully accessible text PDF files that can be spoken, searched, copied and highlighted. As well as converting photos, you can also convert any PDF Image file into a fully accessible Text PDF file. Along with making these PDF files accessible and searchable, it will also compress them, reducing file size. Further credit can be purchased in app. Photos and Image PDF to Text PDF Conversion in OrbitNote requires an internet connection. + Managing PDF Files PDF files can be opened in OrbitNote from all other apps, including Mail and Safari. All opened PDF files will be placed in the OrbitNote Documents List for later viewing. You can also open files from Google Drive, OneDrive, or import directly from your device. PDF files can be saved into OrbitNote Documents, OneDrive or Google Drive, sent by email, or opened in other apps that support PDF files. + Sync with iCloud You can sync ClaroPDF with your iCloud account. This lets you store and synchronise your PDF files and annotations across multiple devices. Sync with iCloud can also act as a document backup so you can keep your documents safe. + Switch Accessibility OrbitNote responds to switch or Bluetooth keyboard commands: 1 (~1) Start speech 2 (~2) Stop speech 3 (~3) Turn to previous page 4 (~4) Turn to next page + Fullscreen mode Allows the full document to be seen without toolbars in view. Ideal for smaller screens!
Helperbird
Enhance reading and writing with advanced tools for dyslexia and accessibility. Features include voice typing, immersive reading, and customizable text settings to make web content easier to access and understand for all users.
- Immersive Reader
- Dyslexia support
- Voice typing
- Reading mode
- Text customization
- Summarize content
- OCR screenshot reader
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Helperbird is your go-to for advanced reading, writing, and accessibility controls. Our features include voice typing, dyslexia support, an immersive reader, and a reading mode. Tailored to fit diverse abilities and learning styles, making the web accessible for all. What’s included in Helperbird? Reading features Immersive Reader by Microsoft Simplify Feature Reading Mode: Removes ads and distractions. Specialized Fonts Text to Speech options Dyslexia Ruler Line Focus Ruler Reading Ruler Auto Scrolling Dyslexia fonts Text Size Adjustment Letter Spacing Adjustment Word Spacing Adjustment Line-Height Adjustment Text Alignment Web Highlighter Marker Translation Paragraph Width Paragraph Borders Picture Dictionary Overlays & Tints Summarize Websites and PDFs Screenshot Reader Speed Reading Tools Highlight/Selector Colors Font Colors Background Colors Link Colors Volume Booster Writing features Sticky Notes on Websites and PDFs Word Prediction Voice Typing Diction / Speech to Text Translation Spell Check Text Analysis Web Highlighter Marker English Dictionary by Helperbird PDF Reader by Helperbird Screenshot Reader Extract Text (OCR) from Images & Videos Print Accessibility features Dyslexia Ruler Line Focus Ruler Reading Ruler Paragraph Customizations Dyslexia Fonts (OpenDyslexic, Lexend Deca, +14 others) Reduce Motion Auto Scrolling High Contrast Overlays Video Playback Adjustments Grayscale Mode Emphasize Links Color Blindness Controls Overlays & Tints Increase and Decrease Cursor Size Show Alt and Title Tags Hide Images and GIFs to Improve Reading Focus Saturation Control Shortcuts Phonics Reading Helperbird Apps Immersive Reader by Microsoft English Dictionary by Helperbird Feature-filled Document Editor Reading List by Helperbird PDF Reader by Helperbird App Support Google Docs Add-on by Helperbird Google Slides Add-on by Helperbird Google Classroom Support Microsoft Word Online Support Grammarly Support Sync Settings Across Browsers To see all the features and learn more, check out https://www.helperbird.com/features/ Privacy & Compliance Strict privacy policy: No user data selling or storage. Compliance with COPPA, FERPA, GDPR. Support Email: robert.gabriel@helperbird.com Helperbird Support Page: https://www.helperbird.com/support/ Proudly founded by a dyslexic software engineer in Ireland, fueled by coffee & love.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Helperbird at none against OrbitNote's 10. Helperbird also leads on review sentiment (60% vs 50%). OrbitNote's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (60 vs 8). 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
Both are free to download. OrbitNote sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Helperbird asks for nothing beyond the download.
OrbitNote holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OrbitNote has 60 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of OrbitNote's written reviews are positive against 60% of Helperbird's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
OrbitNote ships an update every 4 weeks, Helperbird fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | OrbitNote | Helperbird |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (60 ratings) — better | 4.5 (8 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 60.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 60 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.5 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 257 MB | 41 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Everway Opco Ltd. | Coffee & Fun LLC |
Customer experience
OrbitNote
Helperbird
In-app purchases
OrbitNote
- Krzysztof$1.99
- Joaquim$1.99
- 5000 Credits$3.99
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- Elise$3.99
- Valentin$3.99
- Elias$3.99
- Emilie$3.99
- Filip$3.99
- Freja$3.99
- Unlock ClaroPDF Pro$9.99
Helperbird
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is OrbitNote free?
Is Helperbird free?
Which has better reviews, OrbitNote or Helperbird?
Do OrbitNote or Helperbird have ads?
Which is updated more often, OrbitNote or Helperbird?
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