# PocketBook Reader vs HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader

The clearest difference is rating: PocketBook Reader at 4.5 against HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader's 3.0. PocketBook Reader also leads on ratings volume (9.8K vs 2) and chart position (#140 vs unranked). HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 56) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PocketBook Reader sells 41 one-off in-app purchases. HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader 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: 54% of PocketBook Reader's written reviews are positive against 50% of HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader's.

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and June 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PocketBook Reader | HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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/hbreader-epubcloud-reader/id1483176268/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.8K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **54.5% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#140** | — |
| Size | 106 MB | 70 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Pocketbook International SA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1536135171) | [Helicon Books](https://appshunter.io/developer/963284900) |

## What reviewers say

### PocketBook Reader

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

**Currently charting:** #140 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


### HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hbreader-epubcloud-reader/id1483176268)

This application allows users to read EPUB3 and EPUB2 ebook files with advanced CSS styling support. It offers easy book management from various cloud services and email, along with customizable reading settings. The reader is designed for all screen sizes and orientations.

**Highlights:** Reflowable EPUB3/EPUB2 support, Advanced CSS styling, Cloud service integration (Dropbox, email), RTL language support, Interactive SVG and JavaScript, Customizable reading settings

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PocketBook Reader free?

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

### Is HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader free?

HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PocketBook Reader or HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader?

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

### Do PocketBook Reader or HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader have ads?

Neither PocketBook Reader nor HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PocketBook Reader or HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader?

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, and HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader monthly. Most recently, PocketBook Reader was updated on September 30, 2026 and HBreader EPUBCLOUD reader on June 5, 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.*