CoreNodeReader vs Readive
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
CoreNodeReader
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CoreNode Reader is a modern e-book reader optimized for iPad but also running on iPhone, built for readers who want full control over their digital library. The app brings together local books, Kavita servers and OPDS catalogs in one clean reading experience. Read EPUBs and PDFs, browse large libraries, filter by title or author, manage favorites, and keep your reading progress in sync across devices. Highlights: โข One unified library Combine multiple sources into one library view. Local books, Kavita libraries and OPDS catalogs can be shown together or filtered separately, so your entire collection feels like one organized bookshelf. โข Direct Kavita integration Connect your own Kavita server and sync libraries, series, collections, favorites and reading progress. โข OPDS catalog support Add compatible OPDS catalogs and use them alongside your local and Kavita libraries. โข Local library Import EPUB and PDF files directly to your device or use any Cloud folder for your personal book library. โข Cross-device sync Synchronize reading progress, favorites, recently read books, bookmarks, notes, reader profiles and settings between devices. CoreNode Reader supports Apple ecosystem sync and also offers file-based sync for exchanging reading data between iOS, iPadOS and Android devices. โข EPUB and PDF reading Read books and magazines with table of contents, bookmarks, notes, metadata, search and a focused reading interface. โข Built for self-hosting CoreNode Reader is designed for people who want to manage their own books, catalogs and servers instead of being locked into a single store or platform. โข Flexible library views Switch between icon, list and compact views. Filter by title, author, source, file type, series, collections and metadata. โข Customizable reading experience Adjust font size, line height, margins, theme, layout and brightness to match your preferred reading style. CoreNode Reader is optimized for iPad and also works on iPhone. It is ideal for EPUBs, PDFs, magazines, OPDS catalogs and self-hosted libraries in one unified app.
Readive
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Readive is an all-in-one reader for organizing and enjoying comics, ebooks, documents, and audiobooks in a single library. Key features - Supports EPUB, PDF, CBZ, ZIP, TXT, MP3, and more - A local library for importing and organizing files from your device - Dedicated reading experiences for image-based and text-based books - Audiobook playback with resume support - Reading position, bookmarks, and reading history - Multiple themes, fonts, and reading settings - Reading time and recent reading activity insights Readive does not require account registration. Imported files and most reading data are processed locally on your device. The free version may display ads in some areas. Premium removes ads and unlocks additional themes, fonts, reading music, and reading insights. Subscriptions are billed through your App Store account and can be managed or canceled in your device settings. Supported formats and some features may vary depending on the file structure and operating system environment. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Readive at none against CoreNodeReader's 5. Readive also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). CoreNodeReader's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Both are free to download. CoreNodeReader sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Readive asks for nothing beyond the download.
CoreNodeReader ships an update fortnightly, Readive every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CoreNodeReader | Readive |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 5 days โ better |
| Ads | No โ better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No โ better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod โ better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.1 โ better |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 125 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Werner Stiglbauer | sungbin jung |
In-app purchases
CoreNodeReader
- Tip small$2.99
- Tip medium$3.99
- Tip large$5.99
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- CoreNodeReader Pro$8.99
- CoreNodeReader Pro Family$17.99
Readive
No in-app purchases








