Comparison

Karatu vs Auread

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

Head to head
About

Karatu

Features
Read full description

Karatu is a native iOS reader where you bring your own sources. The app does not ship with a built-in catalog or library. Instead, you install small JavaScript source plug-ins from public repositories β€” exactly the same model as a media-server client like Plex or Jellyfin. The app is the reader; the content backend is up to you. WHAT KARATU GIVES YOU - A native iOS reader. Vertical (webtoon) and horizontal (paged) modes, pinch-zoom, double-tap to reset, tap-to-toggle full-screen, auto-advance to the next chapter. - Per-page bookmarks, grouped by series. - Offline downloads. Background URLSession keeps fetches running when the app is suspended; per-chapter status lives on the manga detail screen with a one-tap "Download all chapters." - A real library. Sort by recently-read, recently-added, title, or chapters-read. Filter by currently-reading, has-downloads, unread-chapters-available, or by source. - Reading history with per-chapter resume. Pick up exactly where you left off. - Reading-time stats. Daily totals, current streak, longest streak, total time. Stored locally; nothing is sent anywhere. - A clean settings screen with storage usage, per-source breakdown, and one-tap reset. WHAT KARATU DOES NOT DO - Ship sources. You provide them. - Send any data anywhere. Karatu has no accounts, no telemetry, no third-party SDKs, no ads. The privacy manifest declares zero data collection. - Verify, host, distribute, or endorse any source or repository. You are solely responsible for the content you choose to load. FOR DEVELOPERS Karatu's source SDK is a tiny JavaScript runtime: fetch, console.log, and registerSource. Sources implement four async methods (getPopular, search, getMangaDetails, getChapterPages) and return ordinary JSON. Anyone can write a source and host the manifest as a public file. See the project documentation for the full SDK contract. PRIVACY All app state β€” library, history, bookmarks, downloads, stats β€” is stored locally on your device. Karatu makes network requests only to URLs you have explicitly configured. There are no analytics, no tracking pixels, no third-party libraries that phone home. Uninstalling the app removes every byte. REQUIREMENTS iOS 17 or later. iPhone only.

About

Auread

Features
Read full description

Auread turns your audiobooks into a read-along experience. It transcribes the narration right on your device and highlights each word in sync with the audio β€” so you can listen and follow the text at the same time. WHY AUREAD β€’ BUILT-IN FREE CATALOG β€” Browse LibriVox public-domain audiobooks, download one, and Auread fetches the matching Gutenberg text automatically: a complete read-along in two taps. β€’ LISTENING STATS β€” Daily goal ring, streaks, and a week / month / year dashboard. β€’ REAL CHAPTERS β€” Titles and headings inside the text, start time and length in the chapter menu, chapter or book timing at a tap. β€’ Real read-along β€” words light up as they’re spoken, with smooth auto-scroll. β€’ On-device transcription β€” no ebook required; Auread generates the text itself, privately. β€’ Your speed β€” 0.5×–2Γ— with preserved pitch, saved per book or globally. β€’ A reading view you’ll love β€” adjustable size, themes, progressive illumination, Dynamic Type. β€’ Automatic covers for your library. β€’ Import anything β€” audio files, ZIPs of MP3s, even EPUB text. Built-in conversion. β€’ Works offline β€” listen and read anywhere. PRIVACY FIRST Auread has no account and no server. Your audio, text, transcripts and progress never leave your device. Transcription runs entirely on-device. The only network use is fetching public book covers (title + author), anonymously, and the free catalog when you use it. LANGUAGES Interface in English, French, Spanish and German. Transcription supports multiple languages. Built for audiobook lovers, language learners, and anyone who reads better while listening.

Screenshots

Karatu4 screens
Auread4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Karatu at daily against Auread's every 3 weeks. Karatu also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Karatu ships an update daily, Auread every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Karatu versus Auread: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKaratuAuread
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyDaily β€” betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad β€” better
Requires iOS17.0 β€” better26.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size2 MB5 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperUmar RufaiMehdi Maaref

In-app purchases

None

Karatu

No in-app purchases

None

Auread

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Karatu free?
Karatu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Auread free?
Auread is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Karatu or Auread have ads?
Neither Karatu nor Auread shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Karatu or Auread?
Karatu ships an update daily, and Auread every 3 weeks. Most recently, Karatu was updated on October 25, 2026 and Auread on October 24, 2026.

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