Comparison

ReflowPDF vs Reader

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

Head to head
About

ReflowPDF

Transform scanned PDFs and regular documents into easily readable text with adjustable formatting. Seamlessly switch between a reflowed reading mode and the original document for verification. Process documents privately on your device with no uploads or tracking.

Highlights
  • Reflow scanned and text-based PDFs
  • Adjust font size, typeface, and line spacing
  • Switch between Reader Mode and original PDF
  • Search text and add bookmarks
  • Export recognized text as TXT
  • Create searchable PDFs
  • On-device OCR and processing
Features
Read full description

Read scanned PDFs without zooming. Scanned pages should be as comfortable to read as any article. ReflowPDF turns scanned books, papers, archives, and regular PDFs into clean, reflowed text designed for your iPhone and iPad. Import a document, process it on device, and read without constantly zooming or panning. READER MODE FOR PDFS • Reflow scanned and text-based PDFs into adjustable text • Choose font size, typeface, line spacing, and reading theme • Keep your reading progress and return where you left off CHECK THE ORIGINAL ANY TIME • Move between Reader Mode and the source PDF • Jump from a paragraph to its original page for quick verification • Search text, add bookmarks, and navigate document headings PRIVATE BY DESIGN • OCR and document processing happen on your device • Your PDFs and recognized text are not uploaded • No account, in-app analytics, advertising, or tracking USE YOUR RESULTS • Export recognized text as TXT • Create a searchable PDF while preserving the original pages • On supported devices, generate an on-device summary with Apple Intelligence The free version includes full processing for three standard documents. An optional one-time Lifetime unlock removes document limits and unlocks full large-document processing and export. OCR and document structure accuracy depend on scan quality, language, and page layout.

About

Reader

Features
Read full description

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

ReflowPDF4 screens
Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ReflowPDF at none against Reader's shown. Reader's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly) and iOS requirement (18.6 vs 26.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ReflowPDF sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ReflowPDF ships an update fortnightly, Reader every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ReflowPDF versus Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReflowPDFReader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.018.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer亚雄 邹Nick Ueda

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ReflowPDF

One-time1
  • ReflowPDF Lifetime$4.99
1 purchases

Reader

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99

Questions

Is ReflowPDF free?
ReflowPDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reader free?
Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ReflowPDF or Reader have ads?
Reader shows ads; ReflowPDF does not.
Which is updated more often, ReflowPDF or Reader?
ReflowPDF ships an update fortnightly, and Reader every 5 days. Most recently, ReflowPDF was updated on October 21, 2026 and Reader on October 31, 2026.

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