Comparison

Scout vs mBooks

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

Head to head
About

Scout

Features
Read full description

Scout is a native iOS client for the Gemini protocol; a lightweight, text-first alternative to the modern web built around simplicity, privacy, and content. No ads. No trackers. No JavaScript. Just pages written by real people, served fast. Features - Browse any Gemini capsule with full text/gemini rendering - Navigate with back/forward history and bookmarks - Handle input prompts for interactive capsules - TOFU (Trust On First Use) certificate verification for privacy-respecting security - Client certificate support for authenticated capsules - Media viewing and saving support - Clean and minimal styles

About

mBooks

Features
Read full description

A minimal, focused reader for your PDF and EPUB books. mBooks keeps reading clean and puts your highlights first. Select any passage, highlight it in the color you choose, and your highlights stay safe — they sync to your account and reappear on every device, even after you sign out and back in. Features: • PDF and EPUB support: Read your entire library in one simple app. • Cloud-Synced Highlights: Never lose a note. Highlights sync to your account and reappear on any device. • Offline First: Read and highlight anywhere. Sync automatically when you reconnect. • Minimalist Design: A clean interface focused entirely on your reading. • Custom Colors: Choose your preferred highlight color to personalize your experience. • Privacy: Your book files stay on your device. Only your highlights are synced to your private account. • Focused reading: A quiet reader experience built around your books and highlights. Import a PDF or EPUB and start reading with mBooks.

Screenshots

Scout2 screens
mBooks3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: mBooks at 3 against Scout's 1. mBooks also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.1). On price, ads 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

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences Ā· 4 level
Scout versus mBooks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScoutmBooks
PriceFreeFree
Update frequency—Every 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.113.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB65 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperSteven SimkinsAnshika Maurya

In-app purchases

None

Scout

No in-app purchases

None

mBooks

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Scout free?
Scout is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is mBooks free?
mBooks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Scout or mBooks have ads?
Neither Scout nor mBooks shows ads.

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