Instant Reader vs ReadCast
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Instant Reader
Read full descriptionHide full description
This app allows users to work with selected text from PDF documents and web pages using customizable actions and parameters. Key Features & Use Cases Select any word or phrase in English or other languages and request a translation (e.g., Japanese, Chinese, etc.) Select a sentence and request a grammar breakdown or explanation Select a word to open its Wikipedia page for additional context Search images related to selected text using Google Image results Users can define and customize their own parameters to extend functionality and create personalized workflows. AI Integration The app supports connecting to external AI services to generate responses based on selected text. Supported Content: - PDF documents - TXT files - Web pages - Notes More content types and features are planned in future updates. Terms of use: https://app.notion.com/p/Instant-Reader-Terms-of-Use-35315d340c0580ef8459d581696c3e5e Policy: https://app.notion.com/p/Instant-Reader-Policy-34015d340c05800ea627e951926c33cd
ReadCast
Read full descriptionHide full description
ReadCast reads to you. Bring a PDF, an ebook, an article or your favorite newsletter, pick a voice, and press play. WHAT IT READS • PDF, EPUB and text files from Files • Any article link, shared from Safari or pasted in • Newsletters and blogs with a feed, refreshed each time you open them • Free books: public-domain classics and open-access novels on shelves that restock daily • Pasted text, like a long email or your study notes VOICES WITH CHARACTER Choose from 13 natural voices and give them a style: calm, warm, cheerful, a whisper, dramatic, even spooky. Hear a sample in your language before you pick. READ AND LISTEN Follow along as each word lights up while it is read, or put the phone away and just listen. Change the speed from 0.75x to 2x, keep your place in every book, and build a daily listening streak. PLANS Start free. Upgrade to Pro, Premium or Max for more listening hours each month. Terms of Use: https://readcast.cc/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Instant Reader at every 2 weeks against ReadCast's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Instant Reader sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month and ReadCast sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Instant Reader ships an update every 2 weeks, ReadCast every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Instant Reader | ReadCast |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 59 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Roman Vygnich | DevLab Spa |
In-app purchases
Instant Reader
- Unlimited Actions$2.991 Month
ReadCast
- Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Premium3 Days trial$19.991 Month
- Max Monthly3 Days trial$29.991 Month
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Pro Annual7 Days trial$99.991 Year
- Premium Annual7 Days trial$199.991 Year
- Max Annual7 Days trial$279.991 Year









