Comparison

Archives Fanfic Reader vs Trace

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

Head to head
About

Archives Fanfic Reader

Features
Read full description

Archives is a calm, native fanfiction reader built for people who live in stories. Find fics, save your favorites, organize your library, and settle into a cleaner reading experience on iPhone. Use Archives to: • Read fan fiction stories from around the world and internet • Search works, tags, people, fandoms, and authors • Explore fandoms and open author profiles • Save stories to Reading list, Currently reading, Read, Favorites, and custom folders • Resume exactly where you left off with reading progress • Customize the reader with themes, fonts, line height, tint, and preferred language • Browse full-work comments and jump between overview, chapters, and discussion Archives does not host fanfiction. It is independently built and is not affiliated with any story platform. A premium subscription is needed to access certain features such as: - unlimited audio mode - offline downloads - custom themes — Terms of Service: https://harmless-alibi-eda.notion.site/archives-tos Privacy Policy: https://harmless-alibi-eda.notion.site/archives-privacy-policy Contact: support@readarchives.com

About

Trace

This app allows users to privately read and organize EPUB files downloaded from AO3 offline. It offers customizable reading settings, library management with personal tags and notes, and robust search and filtering capabilities for fanfiction.

Highlights
  • Offline EPUB reading
  • AO3 fanfiction organization
  • Customizable reading themes and fonts
  • Personalized library management
  • Advanced search and filtering
  • Optional cloud sync
Features
Read full description

Trace Reader is a private, unofficial reader for AO3 EPUBs. Import a story and read it comfortably offline, with the metadata and organisation fanfiction readers actually need. I built this for accessible reading tailored to offline AO3 reading because Apple Books wasn't quite enough. Choose paged or continuous scrolling, adjust the type and spacing, and read in Paper, Sepia, Night or High Contrast themes, with accessible fonts. Filter your collection with all of AO3's filters, and view your library by the things that matter for fanfiction: reading status, fandom, tags, and ships. NO AO3 LOGIN - Keep your account details private. You should never trust a third party with your AO3 login details and this app will never ask you for them. BUILD A LIBRARY THAT FEELS LIKE YOURS • Keep stories as Saved, Reading, Paused, Caught up, Finished or Dropped • Add ratings, personal tags, highlights, and notes by story, chapter or highlighted passage. • Search and filter by fandom, relationships, characters, warnings, series and more • Import individual EPUBs or choose a folder that will automatically load EPUBs once you download them from AO3. • Keep previous EPUB versions and restore one when needed NO ACCOUNT NEEDED Reading, importing and organisation work offline. Your EPUB files and story text stay on your device with no limitations on library size or organization features. TRACE SYNC IS OPTIONAL ADD ON Connect a free Trace account to sync up to 100 stories, restore library details and reading progress on a new device, and access your reading library from any browser. Trace Unlimited adds unlimited Reader sync and private reading Stats. Trace also gives you access to the Trace extension, which lets you track your online reading in the same way you track your EPUB reading, storing it all in the same online library. A subscription is never required to read, import or organise EPUBs on this device. EPUB files are not included in sync right now. Trace Reader is an independent, unofficial app. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Organization for Transformative Works or Archive of Our Own. End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Archives Fanfic Reader4 screens
Trace4 screens

Verdict

The call

Archives Fanfic Reader and Trace are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Archives Fanfic Reader sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Trace sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Archives Fanfic Reader versus Trace: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArchives Fanfic ReaderTrace
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequency—Every 2 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB33 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperMeow Meow LabsZACHARY SAMUEL LAMBERT

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Archives Fanfic Reader

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly Subscription to Archives$4.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription to Archives$9.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription to Archives$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Annual Subscription to Archives$39.991 Year
2 purchases

Trace

Subscriptions2
  • Trace Unlimited Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Trace Unlimited Yearly$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Archives Fanfic Reader free?
Archives Fanfic Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Trace free?
Trace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Archives Fanfic Reader or Trace have ads?
Neither Archives Fanfic Reader nor Trace shows ads.

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