# PocketBook Reader vs ASTAR

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PocketBook Reader at 55% against ASTAR's 0%. PocketBook Reader also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (9.8K vs 2). ASTAR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 56). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PocketBook Reader sells 41 one-off in-app purchases. ASTAR asks for nothing beyond the download.

PocketBook Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PocketBook Reader has 9.8K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of PocketBook Reader's written reviews are positive against 0% of ASTAR's.

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, ASTAR every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PocketBook Reader | ASTAR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketbook-reader/id805488884/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astar/id1215195697/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.8K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **54.5% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#165** | — |
| Size | 106 MB | 382 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pocketbook International SA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1536135171) | [integer AR](https://appshunter.io/developer/1156869823) |

## What reviewers say

### PocketBook Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketbook-reader/id805488884)

**Currently charting:** #165 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

This app is a versatile reader supporting 26 book and audio formats, including EPUB, PDF, and audiobooks. It offers features like PDF reflow, text-to-speech, cloud synchronization, and extensive customization options for a comfortable reading experience.

**Highlights:** Supports 26 book and audio formats, PDF Reflow function, Text-to-speech engine, Cloud synchronization service, Customizable interface and reading settings, Adobe DRM support

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

**In-app purchases (41)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| eBook | $0.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class A) | $0.99 | one-time |
| eBook | $1.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class B) | $1.99 | one-time |
| eBook | $2.95 | one-time |
| eBook | $2.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class C) | $2.99 | one-time |
| eBook | $3.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 4.79 | $3.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 4.19 | $3.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class D) | $3.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class Alt5) | $4.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 5.39 | $4.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class F) | $4.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 5.89 | $4.99 | one-time |
| eBook | $4.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 5.09 | $4.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class G) | $5.99 | one-time |
| eBook | $5.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 7.09 | $5.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 7.19 | $5.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 8.29 | $6.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 7.59 | $6.99 | one-time |
| eBook | $7.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 8.89 | $7.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class J) | $8.99 | one-time |
| eBook | $8.99 | one-time |
| eBook | $9.90 | one-time |
| eBook | $9.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class L) | $10.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 13.9 | $11.90 | one-time |
| eBook | $11.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 12.99 | $11.99 | one-time |
| eBook | $12.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class N) | $12.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class O) | $13.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 17.9 | $14.90 | one-time |
| eBook | $14.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class R) | $16.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class T) | $18.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class W) | $21.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient reading experience
- 🚀 Smooth scrolling
- 💡 Customizable settings (font, margin, etc.)
- 🔒 Supports DRM-protected content
- 👍 Intuitive user interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Unreliable cloud sync
- 🐛 Inconsistent page rendering
- 🐛 Buggy text highlighting and annotation
- 🐛 Slow loading times

**Reported bugs**

- Books disappearing from library after login issues
- Inability to open DRM-protected PDFs
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between portrait and landscape modes
- Text-to-speech voice quality issues

**Requested features**

- Ability to organize books into custom folders
- Option to disable quick action zones
- Improved text-to-speech controls (seek, pause, etc.)
- Support for handwritten annotations with Apple Pencil
- Faster page turning and scrolling


### ASTAR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astar/id1215195697)

This app uses augmented reality to bring interactive 3D games and educational content to life from specially marked books. Players can control characters, engage in battles, explore space, and learn about various subjects through immersive experiences.

**Highlights:** Augmented reality 3D games, Interactive characters and environments, Joystick and button controls, Educational 3D models, Space exploration content, Photo opportunities with virtual characters

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PocketBook Reader free?

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

### Is ASTAR free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PocketBook Reader or ASTAR?

PocketBook Reader is rated higher. PocketBook Reader averages 4.5 out of 5 from 9.8K ratings, while ASTAR averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do PocketBook Reader or ASTAR have ads?

Neither PocketBook Reader nor ASTAR shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PocketBook Reader or ASTAR?

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, and ASTAR every 3 months. Most recently, PocketBook Reader was updated on October 16, 2026 and ASTAR on October 8, 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.*