# ReadBack vs JReader

The clearest difference is update cadence: JReader at every 4 days against ReadBack's fortnightly. JReader also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ReadBack sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and JReader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReadBack ships an update fortnightly, JReader every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ReadBack | JReader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/readback-text-to-speech/id6747597136/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **10** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 43 MB | 218 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Trent Guillory](https://appshunter.io/developer/826186488) | [Jay Pathak](https://appshunter.io/developer/1831930241) |

## What reviewers say

### ReadBack

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/readback-text-to-speech/id6747597136)

This application converts documents like PDFs and Word files into natural-sounding speech. It's designed for users who need to listen to written content, offering lifelike voices and background playback for multitasking. Your files are processed and stored locally for enhanced privacy.

**Highlights:** Reads documents aloud (PDF, Word, EPUB), Lifelike, comfortable voices, Background playback for multitasking, Unlimited audio replays, Local file processing for privacy, Pay-as-you-go credits or subscriptions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ReadBack Plus | $4.99 | per month |
| ReadBack Pro | $9.99 | per month |
| ReadBack Plus | $47.99 | per year |
| ReadBack Pro | $95.99 | per year |
| 1 Hour Credit | $0.99 | one-time |
| 5 Hour Credit | $4.49 | one-time |
| 10 Hour Credit | $7.49 | one-time |


### JReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jreader/id6751732795)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| JReader Premium Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| JReader Premium Lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ReadBack free?

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

### Is JReader free?

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

### Do ReadBack or JReader have ads?

Neither ReadBack nor JReader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ReadBack or JReader?

ReadBack ships an update fortnightly, and JReader every 4 days. Most recently, ReadBack was updated on October 6, 2026 and JReader on October 10, 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.*