# OpenLibrary Explorer vs Lithe Reader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenLibrary Explorer at none against Lithe Reader's 3. Lithe Reader's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lithe Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. OpenLibrary Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

OpenLibrary Explorer ships an update every 8 days, Lithe Reader every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | OpenLibrary Explorer | Lithe Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lithe-reader-epub-and-pdf/id6818224395/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Size | 31 MB | 72 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mahesh Rathi](https://appshunter.io/developer/6801780469) | [Lingyuan Huisheng Information Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/6813368590) |

## What reviewers say

### OpenLibrary Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openlibrary-explorer/id6807614835)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Lithe Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lithe-reader-epub-and-pdf/id6818224395)

This app allows you to read EPUB and PDF files offline, with text-to-speech functionality. Organize your library, adjust reading settings, and add notes. A Pro version offers advanced features like custom fonts, two-column reading, and on-device text recognition.

**Highlights:** Offline EPUB and PDF reading, Text-to-speech functionality, Library organization, Customizable reading settings, Bookmark and note creation, Pro features: custom fonts, two-column view, search

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lithe Reader Pro Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| Lithe Reader Pro 3-Month | $1.99 | per 3 months |
| Lithe Reader Pro Yearly | $4.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OpenLibrary Explorer free?

OpenLibrary Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Lithe Reader free?

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

### Do OpenLibrary Explorer or Lithe Reader have ads?

OpenLibrary Explorer shows ads; Lithe Reader does not.

### Which is updated more often, OpenLibrary Explorer or Lithe Reader?

OpenLibrary Explorer ships an update every 8 days, and Lithe Reader every 9 days. Most recently, OpenLibrary Explorer was updated on November 6, 2026 and Lithe 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.*