Comparison

Simple PDF vs PDF Reader

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

Head to head
About

Simple PDF

This application allows users to view, annotate, and edit PDF documents with ease. Features include document management, OCR capabilities, and a built-in scanner. It's designed for students and professionals to stay productive on the go.

Highlights
  • View, annotate, and edit PDFs
  • Full-text search and navigation
  • Free-draw and text box annotation
  • Page reordering and PDF merging
  • Scan documents with built-in camera
  • OCR for text extraction
  • Home screen widget for quick access
Features
Read full description

Simple PDF Reader is a powerful, fast, and beautifully designed app for viewing, annotating, and editing your PDF documents — all in one place. Whether you're a student, professional, or just organizing paperwork, Simple PDF Reader keeps you productive on the go. Key Features: - Viewing & Navigation Smooth, fast PDF rendering with page thumbnail scrubber Table of contents (outline) and bookmarks for quick navigation Full-text search across the document Auto-scroll with adjustable speed for hands-free reading - Annotation & Drawing Free-draw with pen and highlighter tools Add text boxes anywhere on the page Insert and position signatures with drag & resize handles Eraser, undo, and redo support - Document Management Reorder and delete pages in the page editor Merge multiple PDFs into one - Scan paper documents with the built-in document camera Import PDFs from Files, iCloud, and other apps via share extension - OCR Extract text from scanned or image-based PDFs - Home Screen Widget Quick access to recently opened documents from your Home Screen - Dark Mode supported

About

PDF Reader

Easily manage your PDF files on your phone with tools for reading, editing, signing, and converting documents. Import files, use the camera, and access recent documents quickly. Convert various file types to PDF and perform essential PDF management tasks like merging and splitting.

Highlights
  • Sign documents
  • Add text to PDFs
  • Highlight and underline content
  • Convert Docs/Excel/Img to PDF
  • Merge and split PDFs
  • Compress and extract PDFs
Features
Read full description

PDF Reader: Edit & Sign helps you handle everyday PDF tasks on your phone in a simple and convenient way. Open PDF files, review documents, and use essential tools for PDF reading, PDF editing, PDF signing, and PDF conversion in one easy place. The app makes it easy to get started with your files. You can import PDF files, use the camera when needed, and quickly access recent files from the home screen, so your documents are always within reach. When you open a PDF, you can work on it with practical PDF tools for common document tasks, including: - Sign documents - Add text - Highlight content - Strike text - Underline text - Draw on PDF PDF Reader: Edit & Sign also includes useful PDF conversion options to help you turn other file types into PDF: - Docs to PDF - Excel to PDF - Img to PDF For additional file management, the app provides essential PDF tools in one place: - Merge PDF - Split PDF - Compress PDF - Extract PDF With a clean interface and essential PDF features, PDF Reader: Edit & Sign gives you a practical way to read PDF files, sign documents, convert files to PDF, and manage PDF documents on your phone. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Simple PDF3 screens
PDF Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PDF Reader at 5.0 against Simple PDF's 3.7. Simple PDF's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Simple PDF asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PDF Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simple PDF ships an update every 3 weeks, PDF Reader every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 4 level
Simple PDF versus PDF Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimple PDFPDF Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChang Keun JungQuynh Trang Pham Doan

Customer experience

Simple PDF

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

PDF Reader

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Simple PDF

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

PDF Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly Premium3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Yearly Premium$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Simple PDF free?
Simple PDF is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PDF Reader free?
PDF Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Simple PDF or PDF Reader?
PDF Reader is rated higher. Simple PDF averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while PDF Reader averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Simple PDF or PDF Reader have ads?
PDF Reader shows ads; Simple PDF does not.
Which is updated more often, Simple PDF or PDF Reader?
Simple PDF ships an update every 3 weeks, and PDF Reader every 6 weeks. Most recently, Simple PDF was updated on October 6, 2026 and PDF Reader on October 2, 2026.

Other comparisons