# GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer vs Polaris Viewer

The clearest difference is price: Polaris Viewer at Free against GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's $6.99. Polaris Viewer also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). On rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Polaris Viewer is free to download; GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer costs $6.99 up front. GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Polaris Viewer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer against 4.6 for Polaris Viewer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer has 14K ratings behind it against 74, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 69% of GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's written reviews are positive against 56% of Polaris Viewer's.

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer ships an update weekly, Polaris Viewer every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer | Polaris Viewer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $6.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodreader-pdf-editor-and-viewer/id777310222/reviews)** | [4.6 (74 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polaris-viewer-pdf-document/id1361508774/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | 74 |
| Positive reviews | **68.7% of reviews** | 56.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#34** | — |
| Size | 53 MB | 177 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Good.iWare, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/289191291) | [Polaris Office Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/380275428) |

## What reviewers say

### GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

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

**Currently charting:** #34 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) | $3.99 | per month |
| Pro Pack (annual) | $24.99 | per year |
| Auto Sync | $59.99 | one-time |
| Pro Pack | $89.99 | 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


### Polaris Viewer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polaris-viewer-pdf-document/id1361508774)

This app offers a mobile-optimized experience for viewing various document types, including Microsoft Office files, PDFs, and TXT. It provides smart document management features and supports cloud integration for easy access to your files.

**Highlights:** Mobile optimized document viewer, Supports Microsoft Office, PDF, TXT, Zip, CSV, Cloud storage integration (iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.), Smart document management, App lock with fingerprint, face, or password, Night mode and paper texture background options

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $10.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer free?

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Polaris Viewer free?

Polaris Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or Polaris Viewer?

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer is rated higher. GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while Polaris Viewer averages 4.6 from 74 ratings.

### Do GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or Polaris Viewer have ads?

Polaris Viewer shows ads; GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer does not.

### Which is updated more often, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or Polaris Viewer?

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer ships an update weekly, and Polaris Viewer every 3 months. Most recently, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer was updated on October 31, 2026 and Polaris Viewer on October 30, 2026.

---

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