# PDF Reader vs PDF Tools

The clearest difference is update cadence: PDF Tools at weekly against PDF Reader's every 3 weeks. PDF Tools also leads on ratings volume (9 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per 7 days and PDF Tools sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for PDF Reader against 5.0 for PDF Tools. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Tools has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

PDF Reader ships an update every 3 weeks, PDF Tools weekly. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and July 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Reader | PDF Tools |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-editing/id6742738204/reviews) | [5.0 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-tools-read-and-edit/id6745811413/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **9** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 26 MB | 96 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [蕊 安](https://appshunter.io/developer/1665482948) | [Shilong Lu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1185413008) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-editing/id6742738204)

Easily read, annotate, and edit PDF documents with a comprehensive suite of tools. Mark important information, add text, signatures, and even merge or convert files. Secure your documents with password protection.

**Highlights:** Highlight and underline text, Hand-drawn annotation, Add text and fill forms, Digital signature and seal, Merge PDF files, Convert PDF to Word/JPG, Password protection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Bronze | $19.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Gold | $39.99 | per year |


### PDF Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-tools-read-and-edit/id6745811413)

Edit, convert, and manage PDF files with features like OCR scanning, electronic signatures, and file merging. This tool allows for local processing without requiring a login, ensuring privacy and security for your documents.

**Highlights:** PDF to Word/Excel/TXT conversion, OCR scanning, Electronic signature, Merge and split PDFs, File encryption, Highlight and doodle on PDFs

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Permanent Member | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Reader free?

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

### Is PDF Tools free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PDF Reader or PDF Tools?

PDF Reader and PDF Tools are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 9 ratings respectively.

### Do PDF Reader or PDF Tools have ads?

Both PDF Reader and PDF Tools show ads.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or PDF Tools?

PDF Reader ships an update every 3 weeks, and PDF Tools weekly. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on June 11, 2026 and PDF Tools on July 5, 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.*