Comparison

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer vs simREF

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

simREF

This app provides quick-reference checklists and operational data for flight simulation on iPad. It features interactive normal and abnormal checklists, essential flight data, and a CG/Trim calculator for takeoff planning in a distraction-free, dark UI optimized for cockpit environments.

Highlights
  • Interactive Normal & Abnormal Checklists
  • Operational Data at a glance
  • CG/Trim calculator
  • Offline functionality
  • Dark UI for cockpit environments
  • iPad landscape optimized
Read full description

simREF is a quick-reference companion for flight simulation on iPad. Navigate realistic normal & abnormal checklists and operational data in a distraction-free UI. Features - Interactive Normal & Abnormal Checklists (A319/A320/A321/A330/A340/A350) - Operational Data at a glance (speeds, limitations, references) - CG/Trim calculator for takeoff planning (non A350) Works offline, designed for iPad in landscape Dark UI optimized for cockpit environments Who it’s for Flight-sim enthusiasts seeking a structured, QRH-style workflow on iPad. Notes For flight simulation use only. Not for real-world flight operations or training. simREF is not affiliated with or endorsed by any aircraft manufacturer or add-on developer.

Screenshots

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: simREF at Free against GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's $5.99. simREF also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 69%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer's advantage is ratings volume (14K vs 3) and chart position (#32 vs unranked). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

simREF 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 simREF sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

simREF holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer has 14K ratings behind it against 3, 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 100% of simREF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer ships an update weekly, simREF every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer versus simREF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoodReader PDF Editor & ViewersimREF
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (14K ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14K — better3
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#32 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPad
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB148 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperGood.iWare, Inc.Chris-Luca Fischer

Customer experience

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

All ratings13,805 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral2.3%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews1,840 reviews
Positive68.7%
Neutral7.9%
Negative23.4%

simREF

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

simREF

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
2 purchases

simREF

One-time2
  • IndiGo Virtual Integration$2.99
  • simREF Full Access$8.99

Questions

Is GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer free?
GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is simREF free?
simREF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or simREF?
simREF is rated higher. GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while simREF averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or simREF have ads?
Neither GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer nor simREF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer or simREF?
GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer ships an update weekly, and simREF every 2 weeks. Most recently, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer was updated on October 2, 2026 and simREF on September 25, 2026.

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