# GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer vs PDF Reader

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer | PDF Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $5.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodreader-pdf-editor-and-viewer/id777310222/reviews)** | [3.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-docs-viewer/id1240773558/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **68.7% of reviews** | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#39** | — |
| Size | 53 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Good.iWare, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/289191291) | [小玲 白](https://appshunter.io/developer/1166875754) |

## What reviewers say

### GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodreader-pdf-editor-and-viewer/id777310222)

**Currently charting:** #39 Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Pack (monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| Pro Pack (annual) | $17.99 | per year |
| Auto Sync | $9.99 | one-time |
| Pro Pack | $79.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent for reading and annotating PDFs
- 📚 Powerful file management and organization
- 💻 Seamless integration with cloud storage
- 🎨 Customizable reading experience
- ⚙️ Robust set of features and capabilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Subscription model for some features
- 🔀 Cluttered interface after recent update
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 📁 Difficulty migrating files from older versions
- 🖌️ Lacking palm rejection and customizable Apple Pencil controls

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-docs-viewer/id1240773558)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Permanently remove ads | $1.99 | one-time |


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