Markdown Viewer Mobile vs Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side ā with what reviewers say about each.
Markdown Viewer Mobile
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MarkdownViewer is a distraction-free reader for .md files on iPhone and iPad. Open a file from Files, AirDrop, or a shared link; or sync an entire documentation repository from GitHub and read it offline. Just exploring? The app ships with a curated library of example documents covering every feature below ā sync it with one tap from the "Try it" card on the library screen. RICH RENDERING ⢠Full CommonMark + GitHub Flavored Markdown ⢠Mermaid diagrams rendered inline ⢠LaTeX math (inline and display) via KaTeX-compatible engine ⢠Syntax-highlighted code blocks across 190+ languages ⢠GFM tables, task lists, footnotes, strikethrough ⢠GitHub-style admonitions (NOTE, WARNING, TIP, CAUTION) READING COMFORT ⢠Material 3 design with light, dark, and sepia themes ⢠Adjustable font size, reading width, and line height ⢠Immersive scroll ā the app bar fades away as you read ⢠Table of contents drawer with one-tap navigation ⢠In-document search with match counter ⢠Reading-position bookmark ā resume exactly where you left off ⢠Keep-screen-on toggle for long-form reading ⢠Reading time estimate BRING YOUR OWN DOCS ⢠Sync any public GitHub repository with a single URL ⢠Private repos supported via a personal access token (stored in the iOS Keychain ā never in the app's database) ⢠Incremental re-sync ā only changed files download ⢠Re-sync or remove a synced repo from the drawer EXPORT AND SHARE ⢠Export any document to PDF with mermaid diagrams preserved ⢠Share the raw markdown or a rendered PDF via the system share sheet PRIVACY BY DESIGN ⢠No accounts, ever ⢠Zero telemetry by default ⢠Crash reporting is opt-in and excludes document content, file paths, and tokens ⢠The only network traffic is to GitHub when you explicitly sync Made in the open on GitHub. Licensed under Apache-2.0.
Reader
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Reader turns the EPUBs you already own into books read aloud, in a voice you choose, entirely on your iPhone. CLASSIC BOOKS, BUILT IN Open the app and start listening. A shelf of classic novels is included free, with cover art made for them, refreshed for the season. No book purchases, no extra downloads, no account to make. YOUR OWN BOOKS TOO Bring any EPUB from Files, Safari, AirDrop, or another app. Standard Ebooks and Project Gutenberg both offer thousands of free, beautifully prepared books, and Reader points you to them. READ ALOUD, IN YOUR VOICE Reader uses Apple's built-in voices, so you can pick the one you actually want to listen to and change it whenever you like. Every word is highlighted as it is spoken, so you can follow along, look up, and find your place again. BUILT FOR LONG LISTENING ⢠Playback continues with the screen locked, with controls on the Lock Screen ⢠Adjust the reading pace from half speed to double ⢠Your place is saved, and a book reopens where you left it ⢠Jump between chapters, or scrub to any point ⢠Choose your typeface and size, including OpenDyslexic WORKS ANYWHERE Reading and speech happen on your device. Once your books and voices are available, no connection is needed to listen, so Reader works on a plane, underground, or off the grid. Your books stay on your iPhone. FREE TO READ Every reading feature is available to everyone. There are no listening limits, no subscription, and no paid feature tier. Reader is supported by banner ads, with an optional one-time purchase to remove them. Reader is built and supported by one person who reads every message. If something is wrong or missing, write to nick@thefreereader.app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Markdown Viewer Mobile at none against Reader's shown. Markdown Viewer Mobile also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.6). On price, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Markdown Viewer Mobile ships an update every 4 days, Reader every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Markdown Viewer Mobile | Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days ā better | Every 5 days |
| Ads | No ā better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod ā better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 ā better | 18.6 |
| Further details ā not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cemil Ilik | Nick Ueda |
In-app purchases
Markdown Viewer Mobile
No in-app purchases
Reader
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Markdown Viewer Mobile free?
Is Reader free?
Do Markdown Viewer Mobile or Reader have ads?
Which is updated more often, Markdown Viewer Mobile or Reader?
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