Comparison

PDF Reader vs Cacatua

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

PDF Reader

Transform PDF documents into natural-sounding audio. Listen to reports, academic papers, or any text while on the go, exercising, or multitasking. Enjoy customizable voices and a distraction-free interface to maximize your reading time.

Highlights
  • PDF to audio conversion
  • Local text-to-speech with natural voices
  • Customizable voice selection
  • Playback controls
  • English language with accent options
  • Distraction-free interface
Features
Read full description

Turn your PDFs into audio and reclaim your reading time! Converts any PDF document into clear, natural-sounding audio, letting you absorb content while commuting, exercising, or doing household tasks. Key Features: PDF to Audio Conversion Conversion history Local text-to-speech conversion with natural voices Customizable voice selection Simple, intuitive controls for playback English language support with multiple accent options Clean, distraction-free interface Perfect for: Students tackling heavy reading loads Professionals staying up-to-date with reports and documents Anyone who wants to maximize their time by turning reading into listening People who prefer audio learning Making documents more accessible Whether you're catching up on work documents during your commute or turning academic papers into your personal audiobook, ReadMe helps you make the most of your time. Simply select a PDF, choose your preferred voice and speaking rate, and let ReadMe handle the rest. Download ReadMe today and transform how you consume written content. Your next PDF is just a listen away!

About

Cacatua

Features
Read full description

Cacatua — Your voice transcribed in real time, sent anywhere. REAL-TIME SPEECH RECOGNITION Cacatua captures your voice and converts it to text with cloud speech-to-text technology. Experience fast, accurate transcription powered by advanced ASR (automatic speech recognition) and AI. KEY FEATURES Record & Transcribe - Live streaming transcription as you speak - Push-to-talk recording mode for quick notes - Non-live recording with up to 5-minute audio capture - Transcribe in dozens of languages with automatic detection Wireless Pairing - Pair your phone with any computer or tablet via secure QR code - Send transcriptions to paired devices with one tap - Your transcriptions act as wireless text input — perfect for presentations, meetings, content creation - Cloud relay ensures your data stays private and encrypted AI-Enhanced Notes (Pro) - LLM post-processing transforms raw transcripts into polished, structured notes - Turn voice notes into professional documentation - Perfect for researchers, students, writers, and professionals Subscription Options - Standard plan: 30 minutes of transcription per month - Pro plan: Unlimited transcription with AI note enhancement IDEAL FOR - Hands-free voice typing and dictation - Accessibility — voice input for those with mobility challenges - Content creators recording voice memos, scripts, and ideas - Students transcribing lectures and meeting notes - Professionals capturing meeting transcripts and voice notes - Non-native speakers learning pronunciation and speech - Anyone needing fast speech-to-text conversion SUPPORTED LANGUAGES Spanish, English, French, German, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, and more. PRIVACY & SECURITY - End-to-end encrypted communication - Your audio data is processed securely on cloud servers - Sign in with Google or Apple for secure authentication - Manage your account and delete data anytime SUBSCRIPTION INFO - Pro membership: auto-renews monthly - Cancel anytime from your device settings Perfect for voice dictation, accessibility features, real-time note-taking, and wireless speech-to-text workflows. Cacatua transforms the way you capture your thoughts. Terms of Use: https://www.cacatua.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.cacatua.app/privacy

Screenshots

PDF Reader3 screens
Cacatua4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Cacatua at every 2 days against PDF Reader's every 3 weeks. Cacatua also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PDF Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Cacatua sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Reader ships an update every 3 weeks, Cacatua every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
PDF Reader versus Cacatua: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ReaderCacatua
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.113.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB84 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMorgan ZellersGuillermo Nimubona Castrillo

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PDF Reader

One-time1
  • Lifetime$4.99
2 purchases

Cacatua

Subscriptions2
  • Cacatua Pro$12.991 Month
  • Cacatua Pro$99.991 Year

Questions

Is PDF Reader free?
PDF Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cacatua free?
Cacatua is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PDF Reader or Cacatua have ads?
Neither PDF Reader nor Cacatua shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or Cacatua?
PDF Reader ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cacatua every 2 days. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on October 5, 2026 and Cacatua on September 30, 2026.

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