Comparison

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer vs PDF Reader

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

Head to head
About

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

This app offers robust PDF editing and viewing capabilities, alongside comprehensive file management tools. It allows users to annotate PDFs, manage files from various cloud services, and secure sensitive data with advanced encryption. Enjoy a superior reading experience with features like PDF Reflow and split-screen viewing.

Highlights
  • PDF annotation and editing
  • Extensive file format support
  • Cloud service integration (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
  • AES-256 military-grade encryption
  • Split-screen viewing for iPad
  • File management and organization
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

First released in 2009, GoodReader® is truly a veteran of the App Store. In the modern app business, it's not easy to stay relevant that long. We're proud to say that after 17 years and counting, we've been delivering wonderful updates with extraordinary new features. And we're going to keep doing that! GoodReader is a perfect combination of document-reading and file-managing capabilities. It's your one-stop shop for all your document needs on your iOS device. Use the app once, and you'll be hooked. Soon you'll be wondering how you ever managed to work without it. -= File Reading =- PDF, TXT, MS Office, iWork, HTML, pictures, music & audio-books, videos. This is what you can view in GoodReader, plus you can also annotate PDF files and edit TXT files. -= PDF Reading and Annotating =- PDF files is where GoodReader truly shines. Reading experience is so superior, it's hard to describe. To rephrase one of our customers' review, "try it, and you'll see." While you're at it, give our PDF Reflow feature a try. You'll be surprised how much better PDF reading goes when you don't have to scroll left/right all the time, for every single line of text. Annotating PDFs is another star feature of our app. Adding notes and drawings, highlighting text, and then sharing your annotated files or annotation summaries will be your main productivity and collaboration asset. -= File Management =- While reading files is a big part of GoodReader, it's not all it can do. It can also serve as a central hub for all your files, even those that can't be opened by GoodReader itself. It's like bringing your personal computer experience to your mobile device — easily managing huge collections of files and folders will make you forget you don't have your laptop around. -= Connecting =- Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, Box.com, WebDAV, SMB, FTP, SFTP — these are all accessible from inside GoodReader. Download, upload, and sync individual files or huge folder collections. -= Security =- With GoodReader, your data security steps up to the level previously only dreamt of. With Pro Pack®, our new set of professional-level super-features, you'll get AES-256, a military-grade encryption, for all your data, at a price of a cup of coffee! And it's completely independent from the built-in Apple's Data Protection, so even if a hacker steals and unlocks your device, your data will still be protected by another strong layer of security, our own. -= Multi-Windows =- Seamlessly view and manage multiple files simultaneously on iPad. -= Notes =- Capture ideas and comments while reading or studying a technical document without even leaving the app. Sort and group your notes into categories. (Note: Some features require a Pro Pack® subscription.)

About

PDF Reader

Easily view PDF documents on your mobile device or tablet. Upload files via WiFi, open encrypted PDFs with a password, and enjoy adaptive screen sizing for comfortable reading. Protect your documents with app lock and gesture passwords.

Highlights
  • View PDF documents
  • WiFi file upload
  • Encrypted PDF support
  • Adaptive screen size
  • Read Word, Excel, PPT
  • App lock and gesture password
Features
Read full description

PDF Reader, Easy read PDF documents for Mobile and Pad . WiFi easy Upload PDF documents to the phone. Support to view encrypted PDF documents, long press the document to enter the password. Document adaptive screen size, easy to read. Support read word, excel, ppt and other format documents. APP lock, gesture password, protect privacy, protect document security.

Screenshots

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer3 screens
PDF Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PDF Reader at Free against GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's $5.99. PDF Reader also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.6). GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.5) and review sentiment (69% vs 33%). On in-app purchases, monetization model 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

PDF Reader is free to download; GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer costs $5.99 up front. GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and PDF Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer has 14K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's written reviews are positive against 33% of PDF Reader's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer ships an update weekly, PDF Reader every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer versus PDF Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoodReader PDF Editor & ViewerPDF Reader
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (14K ratings) — better3.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews68.7% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings14K — better2
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#34 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.69.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGood.iWare, Inc.小玲 白

Customer experience

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

All ratings13,801 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral2.3%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews1,838 reviews
Positive68.7%
Neutral7.9%
Negative23.4%

PDF Reader

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Syncing issues with cloud storage providers
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between apps

Requested features

5 requests
  • Continuous scrolling for better reading experience
  • Improved search functionality with advanced filters
  • Ability to set custom color schemes and themes
  • Enhanced support for ebook formats like EPUB
  • Streamlined annotation tools and workflow

PDF Reader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Pack (monthly)7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Pro Pack (annual)7 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time2
  • Auto Sync$9.99
  • Pro Pack$79.99
1 purchases

PDF Reader

One-time1
  • Permanently remove ads$1.99

Questions

Is GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer free?
GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is PDF Reader free?
PDF Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or PDF Reader?
GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer is rated higher. GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while PDF Reader averages 3.5 from 2 ratings.
Do GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or PDF Reader have ads?
PDF Reader shows ads; GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer does not.
Which is updated more often, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or PDF Reader?
GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer ships an update weekly, and PDF Reader every 9 months. Most recently, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer was updated on September 24, 2026 and PDF Reader on September 14, 2026.

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