Comparison

Prose Reader vs PageTone

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

Head to head
About

Prose Reader

Features
Read full description

Prose is a clean, local-first reader for ePub and PDF books. Designed with a focus on speed, privacy, and simplicity, Prose works completely offline to keep your personal library secure on your device. Key Features: - Multi-format support: Read ePub 2, ePub 3, and PDF files. - Offline library: View your books in a custom cover grid or detail list. Search, filter, and sort by title, author, last read, or reading progress. - Tailored reading experience: Customize fonts, font size, margins, and line spacing for reflowable ePub books. Zoom and fit controls are available for PDF files. - Reading themes: Switch between light, dark, and sepia themes to match your environment. Themes apply across the entire application interface. - Local-first sync: Connect your own WebDAV server to sync books, reading positions, bookmarks, highlights, and settings. Sync runs in the background and resolves conflicts by keeping your furthest reading position. - Annotation and reference: Create bookmarks, highlight text, and look up definitions using the built-in offline dictionary. - Privacy and security: Your data is never sent to third-party services. WebDAV credentials are saved securely in your operating system keychain. There is no telemetry, analytics, or tracking.

About

PageTone

Features
Read full description

Every book has a world. PageTone helps you step into it. Create a personalised reading atmosphere inspired by the story, setting, genre, or mood you are exploring. Describe what you are reading, and PageTone prepares a layered soundscape designed to accompany the moment without taking attention away from the page. BUILD YOUR READING ROOM Start with a title or a simple description of the atmosphere you want. A quiet library during a storm. A mysterious forest at night. A warm room beside a fireplace. PageTone transforms that idea into a reading room made from complementary ambient sounds. MIX EVERY LAYER Each atmosphere can combine up to four sound layers, including rain, wind, forest ambience, fireplace, turning pages, and quiet room tone. Inside the mixer, you can: • Adjust the volume of each sound • Mute or restore individual layers • Fine-tune the balance of the room • Reset the original atmosphere • Shape the soundscape while you read READ AT YOUR OWN RHYTHM Set an optional starting page and page goal for your session, or simply read without tracking anything. PageTone keeps reading goals intentionally lightweight. There are no streaks, scores, competitive rankings, or productivity pressure. RETURN TO YOUR LATEST ROOM Your most recent reading room remains available, so you can quickly return to the atmosphere you were using and continue your session. MADE FOR QUIET MOMENTS PageTone combines an editorial interface, paper-inspired visuals, illustrated environments, and subtle animation to create a calm space around your book. The experience is designed for readers who enjoy ambience, focus, ritual, and the feeling of entering a story. FEATURES • Personalised reading atmospheres • Layered ambient soundscapes • Up to four simultaneous sound layers • Individual volume and mute controls • Optional page goals • Resume your latest reading room • Background audio support • App Shortcuts integration • No account required PageTone does not search book catalogues, scan covers, stream music, or require social activity. It is a private reading companion built around your book, your room, and your pace.

Screenshots

Prose Reader4 screens
PageTone3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Prose Reader at 3 against PageTone's 1. Prose Reader also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

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

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

Scorecard2 real differences Ā· 4 level
Prose Reader versus PageTone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProse ReaderPageTone
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size124 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElia SalernoLuisa Cecilia da Silva Pinto

In-app purchases

None

Prose Reader

No in-app purchases

None

PageTone

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Prose Reader free?
Prose Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PageTone free?
PageTone is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Prose Reader or PageTone have ads?
Neither Prose Reader nor PageTone shows ads.

Other comparisons