Comparison

Auread vs Plain Reader

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

Head to head
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.

About

Plain Reader

This app provides a distraction-free reading experience for various file formats including EPUB, TXT, PDF, and comics. It allows direct access to files from cloud storage or external drives without importing or creating copies, offering customizable reading settings and text-to-speech functionality.

Highlights
  • Read directly from Files, iCloud Drive, USB
  • Customizable text and theme settings
  • Text-to-speech in 31 languages
  • Supports ZIP and CBZ archives
  • Right-to-left reading for manga
  • PDF text selection and search
  • Distraction-free reading interface
Features
Read full description

Plain Reader opens your books, PDFs, comics and image folders right where they are β€” in Files, iCloud Drive, or on a USB drive or external SSD. No account, no import, no copies. READ, NOTHING ELSE β€’ Menus stay hidden while you read. Tap the center to bring them back. β€’ Pages fill the screen. Swipe, tap the sides, or drag the slider to jump anywhere. β€’ Turn your iPhone or iPad sideways for two-page spreads, with the cover on its own. β€’ Turn pages with a Bluetooth page turner or a keyboard. TXT AND EPUB β€’ Choose the font, size, line spacing, margins and theme β€” pages reflow to fit. β€’ Listen: books in 31 languages are read aloud by natural voices made on your device. β€’ Table of contents, search and bookmarks. TXT text encoding is detected automatically. COMICS AND MANGA β€’ Opens ZIP and CBZ archives without unpacking them β€” even ones with thousands of pages. β€’ Right-to-left reading for manga. β€’ A folder of images opens as one book. PDF β€’ Sharp pages, search, table of contents, thumbnails and text selection. β€’ Two-page spreads on wide screens. YOUR FILES STAY YOURS β€’ Files are read in place and never uploaded anywhere. β€’ Bookmarks and your reading position are kept for every book. β€’ Works with iCloud Drive and external storage through the Files app. PLAIN READER PRO Plain Reader is free with a small banner ad. Watch one short video ad to read without banner ads for 2 hours, or to use Listen for 1 hour. Plain Reader Pro removes all ads and adds unlimited Listen, Auto Page Turn, and blocking the apps you pick while you read. Choose a Monthly or Yearly subscription β€” Yearly starts with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers β€” or a one-time Lifetime purchase. Restore it on your iPhone and iPad with the same Apple Account. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when you confirm the purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel them in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://ourbeom.com/plainreader/terms Privacy Policy: https://ourbeom.com/plainreader/privacy

Screenshots

Auread4 screens
Plain Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Auread at none against Plain Reader's 4. Auread also leads on ads (none vs shown). Plain Reader's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). On price 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. Plain Reader sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Auread asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Auread ships an update every 3 weeks, Plain Reader every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Β· 4 level
Auread versus Plain Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAureadPlain Reader
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviewsβ€”100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 days β€” better
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
Monetizationβ€”Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.018.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size5 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMehdi MaarefOurBeom

In-app purchases

None

Auread

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Plain Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Plain Reader Pro (Monthly)$0.991 Month
  • Plain Reader Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$6.991 Year
One-time2
  • Plain Reader Pro$2.99
  • Plain Reader Pro (Lifetime)$12.99

Questions

Is Auread free?
Auread is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Plain Reader free?
Plain Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Auread or Plain Reader have ads?
Plain Reader shows ads; Auread does not.
Which is updated more often, Auread or Plain Reader?
Auread ships an update every 3 weeks, and Plain Reader every 3 days. Most recently, Auread was updated on October 24, 2026 and Plain Reader on November 1, 2026.

Other comparisons