KyBook vs FBReader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
KyBook
This app is a versatile e-book reader supporting a wide range of formats including EPUB, PDF, and audiobooks. It offers extensive customization for reading modes, cloud storage integration, and easy book organization. Advanced features like DJVU support and speed reading are available via in-app purchase.
- Supports EPUB, FB2, PDF, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, MP3, M4A, M4B formats
- OPDS catalogs and cloud storage integration
- Customizable reading mode settings
- Book organization and cataloging
- Text-to-speech and dictionary support
- Speed Reading (RSVP)
Read full descriptionHide full description
KyBook is a modern reader application for e-books. It has highly customizable and friendly interface and also: Key features: - EPUB, FB2, RTF, PDF, DJVU, CHM, CBR, CBZ, MP3, M4A, M4B formats - OPDS catalogs and network folders - Google Books, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Yandex Disc - Flexible reading mode settings Complete feature list: - Supports e-books in EPUB, FictionBook (fb2, fbz, fb2.zip), TXT, RTF, PDF, DJVU, CHM, Comic Book (cbr, cbz) and Audio Book (mp3, m4a, m4b) formats. - Has wide opportunities in searching and downloading e-books from different sources. - Provides access to enormous collection of free electronic books through OPDS-catalogs support. - Downloads e-books with the help of Web Browser (Mobile Safari), e-mail or iTunes. - Saves your books into cloud storages and network folders. - Integrated with Google Books, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and Yandex Disc. - Allows flexible setting of text displaying: font selection, colour theme, text size, text alignment mode, line height, margins, paragraph indention and hyphenations. - Allows choosing book covers from different sources, changing titles and subjects. - Provides easy navigation inside the book using table of content, bookmarks or notes. - Helps organizing your books on shelves, cataloging them under subjects and sorting in different modes. - Has full-screen reading mode in landscape and portrait orientation. - Allows turning and scrolling pages in vertical or horizontal mode. - Allows locking orientation and changing screen brightness. - Supports dictionaries, translation of selected text and text-to-speech. - Integrated with social networking services (Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte) - Supports of VK Docs as Cloud Storage - Built-in Web Browser - Supports Tor Network - DJVU and PDF filters - Support of archives in ZIP and RAR format - Password-protected Bookshelves - Speed Reading (RSVP) - Automatic text summarization - Integrated with LitRes.ru - Integrated with Samizdat (samlib.ru) - Supports WebDAV protocol Dear users, DJVU, CHM, Tor Network and 'Speed Reading' requires in-app purchase "Upgrade to Pro Version". You are free to use these features during the trial period. After the trial period You can unlock them via upgrading KyBook to Pro Version.
FBReader
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide full description
FBReader is a fast and easy-to-use e-book reader for iPhone and iPad. It supports all major e-book formats, including ePub (with key ePub3 features), Kindle azw3, and fb2 (.zip). You can open both unprotected books and ePub files protected with Readium LCP DRM. FBReader also reads RTF, Word (.doc), HTML, and plain text, so you can keep all your books and documents in one place. Read anywhere and pick up right where you left off. FBReader can sync your library, reading positions, bookmarks, and more across devices using the FBReader Book Network, a cloud service powered by Google Drive. If you prefer managing files yourself, you can download books in your browser and open them directly with FBReader. A wide range of appearance and behavior options lets you customize the reading experience to match your preferences. Free version and upgrade options: • The free version allows up to 10 books in your library. • The built-in translation feature is disabled. Upgrade to the full version to remove these limits and enjoy the complete FBReader experience.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: KyBook at 4.4 against FBReader's 3.7. KyBook also leads on review sentiment (71% vs 52%) and ratings volume (464 vs 128). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. KyBook sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and FBReader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
KyBook holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 464 and 128 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of KyBook's written reviews are positive against 52% of FBReader's.
KyBook ships an update every 3 weeks, FBReader monthly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.
| Parameter | KyBook | FBReader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (464 ratings) — better | 3.7 (128 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 71.2% of reviews — better | 52.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 464 — better | 128 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 50 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Konstantin Bukreev | FBReader.ORG Limited |
Customer experience
KyBook
FBReader
User reviews
KyBook
From 464 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and smooth performance
- 📚 Supports wide range of file formats
- 🔖 Good organization and categorization features
- 🔊 Excellent text-to-speech functionality
Room to improve
- 🐛 Syncing issues, especially with Dropbox and Google Drive
- 🔍 Navigation and file management could be improved
- 💰 Paid version required for some key features
- 📢 Intrusive ads in free version
- 🔧 Lack of updates and support from developers
FBReader
From 128 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and smooth reading experience
- 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
- 💡 Customizable font, margin, and layout options
- 🔒 Secure syncing across devices
- 🎨 Retro background textures
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 🔧 Lack of advanced organization features (folders, shelves)
- 🚫 No PDF support
- 🔍 Inconsistent search and book discovery
- 🔒 Privacy concerns around data collection
Bugs and requests
KyBook
Reported bugs
4 issues- Crashes after recent iOS updates
- Text-to-speech function not working properly on newer devices
- Inability to delete books from the app
- Inconsistent theme and color customization behavior
Requested features
5 requests- Add support for more languages
- Improve image handling and layout
- Implement better annotation and highlighting tools
- Provide easier access to main library from subfolders
- Add ability to password protect individual books or folders
FBReader
Reported bugs
4 issues- Syncing issues with Google Drive
- Deletion of books from library
- Formatting problems with large footnotes
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
Requested features
5 requests- Vertical scrolling mode
- Improved bookmark and annotation tools
- Ability to add/change book covers
- Text-to-speech functionality
- Better library management (read/unread, collections)
In-app purchases
KyBook
- Upgrade to Pro Version$0.99
- Upgrade to Pro Version$1.99
FBReader
- FBReader Full Edition2 variants$12.99
