# PDF Compressor vs Cortex Lantern

The clearest difference is update cadence: Cortex Lantern at daily against PDF Compressor's fortnightly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Compressor sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Cortex Lantern sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PDF Compressor ships an update fortnightly, Cortex Lantern daily. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Compressor | Cortex Lantern |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Daily** |
| Size | 48 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Soufiane Bouziane](https://appshunter.io/developer/1796428527) | [The UGC Playbook LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1872947596) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Compressor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-compressor-compress-size/id6757967560)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |


### Cortex Lantern

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cortex-lantern-focus-timer/id6758439275)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cortex Lantern Pro | $5.99 | per month |
| Cortex Lantern Pro Annual | $59.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Compressor free?

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

### Is Cortex Lantern free?

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

### Do PDF Compressor or Cortex Lantern have ads?

Neither PDF Compressor nor Cortex Lantern shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Compressor or Cortex Lantern?

PDF Compressor ships an update fortnightly, and Cortex Lantern daily. Most recently, PDF Compressor was updated on October 7, 2026 and Cortex Lantern on September 26, 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.*