Comparison

Trace vs Calibre Access

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

Head to head
About

Trace

This app allows users to privately read and organize EPUB files downloaded from AO3 offline. It offers customizable reading settings, library management with personal tags and notes, and robust search and filtering capabilities for fanfiction.

Highlights
  • Offline EPUB reading
  • AO3 fanfiction organization
  • Customizable reading themes and fonts
  • Personalized library management
  • Advanced search and filtering
  • Optional cloud sync
Features
Read full description

Trace Reader is a private, unofficial reader for AO3 EPUBs. Import a story and read it comfortably offline, with the metadata and organisation fanfiction readers actually need. I built this for accessible reading tailored to offline AO3 reading because Apple Books wasn't quite enough. Choose paged or continuous scrolling, adjust the type and spacing, and read in Paper, Sepia, Night or High Contrast themes, with accessible fonts. Filter your collection with all of AO3's filters, and view your library by the things that matter for fanfiction: reading status, fandom, tags, and ships. NO AO3 LOGIN - Keep your account details private. You should never trust a third party with your AO3 login details and this app will never ask you for them. BUILD A LIBRARY THAT FEELS LIKE YOURS • Keep stories as Saved, Reading, Paused, Caught up, Finished or Dropped • Add ratings, personal tags, highlights, and notes by story, chapter or highlighted passage. • Search and filter by fandom, relationships, characters, warnings, series and more • Import individual EPUBs or choose a folder that will automatically load EPUBs once you download them from AO3. • Keep previous EPUB versions and restore one when needed NO ACCOUNT NEEDED Reading, importing and organisation work offline. Your EPUB files and story text stay on your device with no limitations on library size or organization features. TRACE SYNC IS OPTIONAL ADD ON Connect a free Trace account to sync up to 100 stories, restore library details and reading progress on a new device, and access your reading library from any browser. Trace Unlimited adds unlimited Reader sync and private reading Stats. Trace also gives you access to the Trace extension, which lets you track your online reading in the same way you track your EPUB reading, storing it all in the same online library. A subscription is never required to read, import or organise EPUBs on this device. EPUB files are not included in sync right now. Trace Reader is an independent, unofficial app. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Organization for Transformative Works or Archive of Our Own. End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Calibre Access

Features
Read full description

Access your Calibre library on your iPhone or iPad. Calibre Companion connects to your Calibre library folder and displays your books, their authors, and the available formats. Features: • Browse your Calibre library • Quickly search for a book by title or author • Open your books directly from the app • Supports multiple formats for the same book • Refresh your library at any time to see your latest changes Calibre Companion works in read-only mode: your Calibre library and its metadata are never modified by the app. After making changes to your library on your computer, close Calibre so that all changes are properly saved and can be synchronized with Calibre Companion. Calibre Companion does not bypass DRM: opening a protected book depends on the app used to read it and its support for the relevant format and DRM.

Screenshots

Trace4 screens
Calibre Access1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Calibre Access at none against Trace's 2. Trace's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). 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. Trace sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Calibre Access asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Trace versus Calibre Access: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTraceCalibre Access
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB12 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperZACHARY SAMUEL LAMBERTAurelien Chevalier

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Trace

Subscriptions2
  • Trace Unlimited Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Trace Unlimited Yearly$24.991 Year
None

Calibre Access

No in-app purchases

Questions

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

Other comparisons