Comparison

Instant Reader vs Sbooky

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

Head to head
About

Instant Reader

Features
Read 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 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

About

Sbooky

Capture and save memorable sentences from books without marking them. Easily highlight, underline, or add pencil strokes to digital copies of pages. Organize your saved quotes into a personal digital library.

Highlights
  • Digitally highlight, underline, or pencil book sentences
  • Straighten and crop page photos
  • Organize saved sentences into a digital library
  • Copy sentences as text for external use
  • Daily greeting with a saved sentence
  • Share highlights to social media or save to photos
Features
Read full description

Highlight book passages in photos and collect them in your own Library. Snap a page, then tap the first and last letter of a passage. Add a textured highlight, save it by book, and copy the words or share the page to Instagram Stories. For library books, borrowed books, and books you'd rather keep unmarked. Keep the words that stay with you, without leaving a mark on the page. ◆ Highlight with two taps · Tap the first and last letter to select a passage. · Choose a highlighter, underline, or pencil, each with its own texture. · Make it yours with five soft colors. · Straighten tilted page photos and crop to the part you want. ◆ Build a Library from your reading · Keep your saved passages organized by book. · Watch each book's spine grow thicker as you collect more passages. · Fill your shelf with colorful spines and subtle paper textures. · Rename books or move passages between them. · Add page numbers so you can find your way back. ◆ Rediscover a favorite · A saved passage greets you on the app's home screen each day. · Tap to revisit the original page photo. · Remember the words—and what made you stop to keep them. ◆ Copy and share · Copy highlighted passages as text into Notes, Notion, or your reading journal. · Share directly to Instagram Stories, with the feel of the printed page intact. · Save to Photos to use wherever you like. · Prefer to keep it private? Saving to your Library is enough. ◆ A quiet place for your words · No account, no login, no ads. · Your passages and photos are stored on your device. Only anonymous usage statistics are collected. · Start free with up to 3 books in your Library. · Unlock unlimited books with a one-time purchase. No subscription. Return the book. Keep the words. Start with one passage you love.

Screenshots

Instant Reader4 screens
Sbooky4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Instant Reader at 17.0 against Sbooky's 26.2. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Instant Reader sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month and Sbooky sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Instant Reader ships an update every 10 days, Sbooky weekly. The most recent releases landed on August 17, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 7 level
Instant Reader versus Sbooky: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInstant ReaderSbooky
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB8 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperRoman VygnichLogogram LC.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Instant Reader

Subscriptions1
  • Unlimited Actions$2.991 Month
1 purchases

Sbooky

One-time1
  • Sbooky Premium$0.99

Questions

Is Instant Reader free?
Instant Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sbooky free?
Sbooky is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Instant Reader or Sbooky have ads?
Neither Instant Reader nor Sbooky shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Instant Reader or Sbooky?
Instant Reader ships an update every 10 days, and Sbooky weekly. Most recently, Instant Reader was updated on August 17, 2026 and Sbooky on September 23, 2026.

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