Comparison

File Reader vs CroReader

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

Head to head
About

File Reader

Easily open and view various document and archive formats, including PDFs, ZIPs, RARs, and image files. Enjoy fast, smooth reading of large files and browse archives directly within the app. It works offline, making your documents accessible anywhere.

Highlights
  • Supports PDF, ZIP, RAR, CBZ, CBR
  • Image file support (JPG, PNG, HEIC, TIFF)
  • Fast and smooth large file viewing
  • Built-in archive browsing
  • Offline functionality
  • Clean reading interface
Features
Read full description

Use ZIP, RAR, CBZ, CBR, and more—19 file extensions in all. Bring PDFs, image archives, and images into one on-device library, then always pick up where you left off. File Reader is made for people who want to read the files they already have on their iPhone. Turn downloaded comics, self-scanned books, course handouts, work documents, and image collections into a calm, organized reading shelf. Import from Files or the Share menu, open, read, and come back later—without creating an account and without ads getting in the way. READ ZIP, RAR, CBZ, AND CBR IMAGE ARCHIVES • Open image-based ZIP/CBZ and RAR/CBR archives directly in the reader • Read pages in natural filename order, so 2 comes before 10 • Choose left-to-right or right-to-left page direction for comics and manga • Switch between fit-to-page and fit-to-width views • Choose Paper, Ink, or Dusk tones to suit the room and the material • Save reading progress automatically and resume from the same page • Enter a password when opening supported password-protected RAR archives The archive reader displays images inside your collection as pages in filename order. SEARCH, READ, AND MARK UP PDFs • Use continuous vertical scrolling or turn pages with horizontal swipes • Zoom in on diagrams, fine print, and scanned pages • Search the text layer of a PDF and move through matching results • Find imported PDFs from the library by title, filename, or indexed body text • See a short text snippet around each library search result • Write with the pencil, add marker strokes, erase your own marks, and undo or redo changes • Keep your current page and reading progress for the next session • Adjust the reading tone without changing the original document Text search works when the PDF contains selectable text. The app does not perform OCR on image-only scans, and its markup tools are for reading notes—not advanced PDF editing, conversion, forms, or digital signatures. ONE LOCAL LIBRARY FOR THE FILES YOU READ Instead of hunting through folders every time, keep reading material together in a simple on-device library. • Search by title and filename, plus body text for indexed PDFs • Filter the shelf by file type • Sort by recently opened, title, date added, or progress • Pin important items so they stay easy to reach • Rename imported items, remove them from the app, and see progress at a glance • Reopen a file and continue from your saved position When you import a file, the app keeps its own local copy so it remains available offline. That makes it useful on a commute, on a flight, while traveling, or anywhere you do not want reading to depend on a connection. 19 FILE EXTENSIONS AVAILABLE File Reader supports PDF, ZIP, CBZ, RAR, CBR, JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, HEIF, TIF, TIFF, WebP, GIF, BMP, AVIF, JP2, J2K, and ICO. JPG/JPEG and TIF/TIFF are counted separately because they are distinct filename extensions. “19 extensions” does not mean 19 separate rendering engines. Some other files may open through the iOS Quick Look preview when the system supports them; availability and behavior can vary by file and iOS version. PRIVATE, QUIET, AND OFFLINE • No account registration • No advertising • Your imported reading library stays on the device • Core reading works without an internet connection • No cloud library, NAS, WebDAV, or cross-device sync to configure Because imported files are copied into the app, they use additional device storage. Keep the originals or a backup of anything important. TRY IT FREE, THEN EXPAND YOUR LIBRARY The free version lets you import and read up to 3 files, so you can test the readers with your own PDFs, comics, and images. Reader Pro removes the file-count limit. Current availability and purchase details are shown in the app. Import a file, settle into a focused reader, and let your iPhone remember the page for next time.

About

CroReader

A minimalist local eBook reader for iPhone that offers a distraction-free reading experience. Import your books in various formats and customize your reading layout with adjustable fonts, themes, and spacing. Enjoy realistic page-turning animations for a comfortable, immersive session.

Highlights
  • Supports TXT, MOBI, EPUB formats
  • Customizable background themes
  • Multiple reading fonts (custom import)
  • Adjustable font size, line spacing, margins
  • Immersive reading mode
  • Realistic page-turning animation
Features
Read full description

CroReader is a local eBook reading app designed for iPhone, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of words without any online distractions. No sign-up required, no internet needed — just import your books and start reading. * Supports importing mainstream eBook formats such as TXT, MOBI, and EPUB, making it easy to manage your local library. * A variety of carefully designed background themes * Multiple reading fonts available, with support for importing custom fonts * Freely adjust font size, line spacing, and page margins to create the most comfortable reading layout * Tap the screen to enter immersive mode, hiding navigation and toolbars; only time, battery, and reading progress remain visible in the status bar to minimize visual distractions * Realistic page-turning animation that recreates the feel of reading a physical book

Screenshots

File Reader4 screens
CroReader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: File Reader at Free against CroReader's $1.99. CroReader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and monetization model 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

File Reader is free to download; CroReader costs $1.99 up front. File Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. CroReader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 6 level
File Reader versus CroReader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFile ReaderCroReader
PriceFree — better$1.99
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews66.7% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyota Kando健 陆

Customer experience

File Reader

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

CroReader

Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

File Reader

One-time1
  • Reader Pro$1.99
None

CroReader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is File Reader free?
File Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CroReader free?
CroReader costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do File Reader or CroReader have ads?
Neither File Reader nor CroReader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, File Reader or CroReader?
File Reader ships an update every 4 days, and CroReader every 4 days. Most recently, File Reader was updated on October 2, 2026 and CroReader on October 3, 2026.

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