Comparison

True Reader vs Realbook

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

Head to head
About

True Reader

Features
Read full description

DarkReader - A Minimalist Dark Mode E-Reader for iOS Read your favorite books in a beautiful dark interface designed for comfortable reading. DarkReader is a simple, elegant e-reader that supports multiple file formats and gets out of your way so you can focus on what matters: reading. FEATURES: Multiple Format Support • PDF - Portable Document Format with page-by-page navigation • EPUB - Electronic books with adjustable text • TXT - Plain text files • CBZ/ZIP - Comic book archives • Images - JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP Designed for Reading • Page-by-page navigation with simple tap controls • Tap right side to turn forward, left to go back • Tap center to access controls • Automatic chapter detection and formatting • Adjustable font sizes for comfortable reading Beautiful Dark Theme • Easy on your eyes in any lighting • Black, white, and gray color scheme • Consistent dark interface throughout • Perfect for nighttime reading Smart Progress Tracking • Automatically saves your reading position • Resume exactly where you left off • Visual progress bars in your library • Track multiple books simultaneously Clean & Simple • No ads or distractions • No account required • No data collection or tracking • Fast and lightweight • Intuitive interface PERFECT FOR: • Book lovers who want a clean reading experience • Students reading textbooks and PDFs • Comic book enthusiasts • Anyone who prefers dark mode interfaces • Readers who value simplicity and privacy Import books from Files, iCloud Drive, or any document source on your device. Your books and reading progress are stored locally and privately on your device. Download DarkReader today and rediscover the joy of focused, distraction-free reading.

About

Realbook

Features
Read full description

Realbook is an ebook reader for EPUB, PDF, TXT, MOBI, AZW3, FB2, DOCX, CBZ and CBR files. Import books from your device, keep them in one bookshelf, and read with a page turn designed to feel closer to paper. Enjoy a focused reading experience with realistic 3D page turns, text to speech for text-based books, and controls that adapt to the way you read. READ LIKE A REAL BOOK • Realistic 3D page turns with curved pages, shadows and optional haptics • Single-page and double-page layouts for portrait or landscape reading • Tap an edge or drag a page to move forward and backward MAKE THE PAGE YOURS • Adjust font size, line spacing, margins and reading theme • Use dark mode and a low-vision reading option when you need more contrast • Change TTS voice, speed, volume and quality from the reader settings FIND YOUR PLACE • Import supported files directly from your device • Search the full text of text-based books • Add bookmarks and highlights so important passages are easy to revisit • Keep imported books and reading data on your device SUPPORTED FORMATS • Text-based: EPUB, TXT, MOBI, AZW3, FB2 and DOCX support pagination, search and on-device text to speech • Fixed-layout: PDF, CBZ and CBR support page viewing and page turns; their image pages are not searchable or read aloud • The first TTS use may download on-device voice assets. Later synthesis runs locally. Browse the optional public-domain classic catalog when it is available, or import the books you already own. Read at night, listen while commuting, or turn your phone sideways for a two-page spread.

Screenshots

True Reader3 screens
Realbook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: True Reader at none against Realbook's shown. On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
True Reader versus Realbook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrue ReaderRealbook
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 days—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn ChambersWONJIN CHA

In-app purchases

None

True Reader

No in-app purchases

None

Realbook

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is True Reader free?
True Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Realbook free?
Realbook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do True Reader or Realbook have ads?
Realbook shows ads; True Reader does not.

Other comparisons