# Issa Reader vs Close Reader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Issa Reader at none against Close Reader's 8. Issa Reader also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). Close Reader's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). On price there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Close Reader sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Issa Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Issa Reader ships an update weekly, Close Reader every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Issa Reader | Close Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/issa-reader/id6806803431/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **3** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 23 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **16.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Benjamin Issa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860745071) | [Ilia Ilinskii](https://appshunter.io/developer/1837644458) |

## What reviewers say

### Issa Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/issa-reader/id6806803431)

This app syncs your ebooks with audiobooks from a self-hosted server, allowing seamless transitions between reading and listening. It offers a native reading experience with customizable text and themes, and advanced audiobook playback features.

**Highlights:** Seamless read-to-listen transition, Native typesetting engine, Customizable reading fonts and themes, Variable speed audiobook playback, CarPlay integration, Offline library access, Home Screen widget

**Features:** Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Close Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/close-reader-ai-book-reader/id6817067048)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Light – monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Medium – monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Max – monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Light – yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Medium – yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Max – yearly | $149.99 | per year |
| 10,000 energy | $2.99 | one-time |
| 30,000 energy | $6.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Issa Reader free?

Issa Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Close Reader free?

Close Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Issa Reader or Close Reader have ads?

Close Reader shows ads; Issa Reader does not.

### Which is updated more often, Issa Reader or Close Reader?

Issa Reader ships an update weekly, and Close Reader every 3 weeks. Most recently, Issa Reader was updated on November 11, 2026 and Close Reader on November 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*