Comparison

Readlate vs Reader Alive

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

Head to head
About

Readlate

Translate entire documents and switch between original and translated versions for context. Supports various file types and offers offline translation with downloaded language packs. Organize and export translated content.

Highlights
  • Translate entire documents
  • Switch between original and translated text
  • Supports EPUB, PDF, DOCX, TXT, and more
  • Offline translation with downloaded language packs
  • Organized recent documents library
  • Export translated files
  • Adjustable reader tools
Features
Read full description

Readlate is a private document reader for people who read books, articles, notes, and handouts in another language. Open a file, translate the whole document with Apple Translation, then switch between the original and translated version whenever you need context. READ FOREIGN DOCUMENTS MORE COMFORTABLY Readlate is built for foreign-language reading, not quick phrase lookup. Keep your place, return to recent documents, and continue reading after translation without rebuilding your library. SUPPORTED FILE TYPES Open EPUB, PDF, DOCX, TXT, Markdown, HTML, and JSON files from the Files app, iCloud Drive, email attachments, or any document source available on iOS. WHOLE-DOCUMENT TRANSLATION Translate full documents with Apple's Translation framework. Language packs can be downloaded from iOS, so supported language pairs can work offline after the required packs are installed. ORIGINAL / TRANSLATED READING Switch between the original document and the translated version while keeping your reading position. This is useful when you want to check wording, compare meaning, or continue reading in the language that feels easiest. RECENT DOCUMENTS THAT STAY ORGANIZED Return to your current books and documents from the recent library. Format badges, translated-language labels, and reading progress help you pick up where you left off. READER TOOLS • Page and continuous scroll reading modes • Adjustable font size and font family • Table of contents navigation • Full-text search • Bookmarks • Custom tap-zone actions • Chapter and paragraph re-translation tools EXPORT TRANSLATED FILES Save translated results back to the Files app. EPUB and DOCX exports keep their document-oriented workflow so translated material is easier to review or reuse. PRIVACY-FIRST BY DESIGN Files are imported and read on your device. Standard translation uses Apple Translation and can work offline with the required language packs. When you choose Premium Translation, the text to be translated is sent through Readlate's server to a cloud AI translation provider; an internet connection is required. Readlate does not require you to create an account. SUPPORTED INTERFACE LANGUAGES Readlate is localized in English, Korean, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese (Brazil). READLATE PRO — ONE-TIME PURCHASE The free experience includes ads and parallel original/translation reading. A one-time Readlate Pro purchase removes ads and reward gates and unlocks bilingual export. Cloud translation is subject to usage limits; Pro does not include unlimited cloud translation. PREMIUM TRANSLATION — AUTO-RENEWING SUBSCRIPTION Premium Translation adds high-quality cloud AI translation for long books and includes every Readlate Pro feature. Two plans are offered: Premium Translation Monthly (1 month) and Premium Translation Yearly (1 year). The price of each plan is shown in the app before you purchase. A subscription renews automatically unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel it any time in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://readlate-aefa3.web.app/privacy.html

About

Reader Alive

Features
Read full description

Reader Alive is an AI-powered ebook reader for iPhone and iPad. Import EPUB, PDF, AZW3, and MOBI books from Files, Finder, AirDrop, Wi-Fi transfer, or iCloud Drive. Read in paged or continuous scrolling modes, tune fonts and themes, adjust size and spacing, and keep your library and reading position in sync with iCloud. Reader Alive helps books feel alive: • Translate selected text or full chapters • Listen with natural text-to-speech • Chat with a book and ask questions grounded in its content • Generate chapter summaries • Explore key ideas, characters, timelines, arguments, and action lists • Sync your library and reading progress across devices with iCloud Full translation, listening, and AI chat features require a subscription. Reader Alive is built for deep reading, foreign-language reading, study, research, and faster understanding of long books. Privacy Policy: https://readeralive.pages.dev/privacy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Readlate4 screens
Reader Alive4 screens

Verdict

The call

Readlate and Reader Alive are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Readlate sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Reader Alive sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Readlate versus Reader Alive: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReadlateReader Alive
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 5 days
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB289 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDongkyu LeeNocoly.com Limited

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Readlate

One-time3
  • Remove Ads$2.99
  • Readlate Pro Upgrade$6.99
  • Readlate Pro$9.99
2 purchases

Reader Alive

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Readlate free?
Readlate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reader Alive free?
Reader Alive is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Readlate or Reader Alive have ads?
Both Readlate and Reader Alive show ads.
Which is updated more often, Readlate or Reader Alive?
Readlate ships an update every 5 days, and Reader Alive every 5 days. Most recently, Readlate was updated on September 24, 2026 and Reader Alive on September 9, 2026.

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