Comparison

Halm vs SmartReader

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

Head to head
About

Halm

Learn German and English through engaging stories and adapted news articles. Tap any word for instant translation within the sentence context. Words you choose to keep are reviewed using an Spaced Repetition System.

Highlights
  • Read stories and news in German or English
  • Tap words for instant in-sentence translation
  • Spaced repetition for vocabulary review
  • Offline functionality
  • Privacy-focused with no account or analytics
  • Accessibility features
Features
Read full description

Read something you actually want to read — in German or English — and let the words stick. Halm turns short stories and adapted news into reading you can handle at your level. Tap any word to see what it means right here, in this sentence. Keep the ones worth keeping. EPISODES Multi-part stories set where you'd actually be: an apartment viewing, a doctor's waiting room, a Sunday at the lake. Each episode shares vocabulary across its parts, so words return on their own instead of being drilled. TAP ANY WORD Translation runs on your device. Halm reads the whole sentence, not the word alone. KEEP WHAT MATTERS You choose what enters review. Nothing is added behind your back. Kept words return on an FSRS schedule, and Halm shows you counts you can verify — never invented percentages. GERMAN AND ENGLISH Two full tracks. Pick one, or switch whenever you like. NO STREAKS Nothing to break, no leaderboard, no notification guilting you back. Read when you want to read. PRIVACY No account, no sign-up, no third-party analytics or advertising. Halm collects nothing automatically. ACCESSIBILITY VoiceOver throughout, Dynamic Type everywhere, Reduce Motion honored, and color never used as the only signal. Works offline. Requires iOS 26.

About

SmartReader

Read full description

Learn English naturally through interactive stories designed for levels A1–B2. SmartReader combines reading, translation, listening, speaking, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes in one learning experience. READ AND UNDERSTAND • Explore engaging English stories across many categories • Choose content for levels A1, A2, B1, and B2 • Tap words and sentences to understand them • View instant translations in your preferred language • Listen to stories with clear audio • Adjust playback speed and repeat difficult parts BUILD YOUR VOCABULARY • Open detailed word cards while reading • Listen to pronunciation • Review translations, examples, synonyms, and antonyms • Save useful words and return to them later • Learn vocabulary naturally in context • Some vocabulary features require a Reader subscription PRACTICE SPEAKING • Answer questions about each story • Record your voice using the microphone • Practice pronunciation and spoken English • Build confidence through guided story discussions • Speaking and AI-powered pronunciation features require an AI Plus subscription IMPROVE LISTENING • Listen to individual sentences • Repeat and record what you hear • Compare your pronunciation with the original • Practice shadowing and improve speaking rhythm • AI-powered pronunciation feedback requires an AI Plus subscription LEARN GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT • Read clear grammar explanations connected to each story • Study examples taken from the text • Complete interactive grammar exercises • Grammar features require a Reader subscription TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE • Answer comprehension questions • Complete quizzes based on each story • Track your reading activity and daily learning goal • Quiz features require a Reader subscription CREATE PERSONALIZED STORIES Generate AI-powered English stories based on selected topics, categories, and learning levels. AI story generation requires an AI Plus subscription. SUBSCRIPTIONS SmartReader offers optional auto-renewable in-app subscriptions that require an additional purchase. • Reader unlocks additional learning features, including grammar, quizzes, and expanded vocabulary tools. • AI Plus unlocks AI-powered features, including story creation, speaking practice, pronunciation feedback, and live AI voice features. You can use SmartReader without purchasing a subscription. Available features and usage limits may vary by plan. SmartReader is designed for independent learners who want to improve English through meaningful reading and regular practice. Start reading, listening, and speaking English today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Halm4 screens
SmartReader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Halm at none against SmartReader's 4. SmartReader's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.1). On price, ads 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. SmartReader sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Halm asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Halm versus SmartReader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHalmSmartReader
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.116.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size488 MB25 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperTimofey LavrenyukVladyslav Zymovskyi

In-app purchases

None

Halm

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

SmartReader

Subscriptions4
  • Premium Reader$2.991 Month
  • Premium AI+$7.991 Month
  • Premium Reader$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Premium AI+$59.991 Year

Questions

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

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