# PocketBook Reader vs Stanza Redux

PocketBook Reader and Stanza Redux both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Stanza Redux's written reviews are positive against 55% of PocketBook Reader's. Stanza Redux also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 56) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). PocketBook Reader's advantage is ratings volume (9.8K vs 2) and chart position (#181 vs unranked). On price, rating and ads there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for PocketBook Reader against 4.5 for Stanza Redux. 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 are what separate them: 55% of PocketBook Reader's written reviews are positive against 100% of Stanza Redux's.

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, Stanza Redux every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PocketBook Reader | Stanza Redux |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketbook-reader/id805488884/reviews) | [4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stanza-redux/id1639831676/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.8K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 54.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#181** | — |
| Size | 106 MB | 21 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pocketbook International SA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1536135171) | [The App Fair Project Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1638877580) |

## What reviewers say

### PocketBook Reader

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

**Currently charting:** #181 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


### Stanza Redux

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stanza-redux/id1639831676)

This open-source ebook reader allows you to import and organize your EPUB library. Customize your reading experience with adjustable fonts, themes, and spacing. Discover free books from public domain catalogs and pick up where you left off.

**Highlights:** Import EPUB files, Customizable reading experience, Adjustable fonts and themes, Browse public domain catalogs, Organized library with cover art, Save reading progress and bookmarks

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PocketBook Reader free?

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

### Is Stanza Redux free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PocketBook Reader or Stanza Redux?

PocketBook Reader and Stanza Redux are both rated 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store, from 9.8K and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do PocketBook Reader or Stanza Redux have ads?

Neither PocketBook Reader nor Stanza Redux shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PocketBook Reader or Stanza Redux?

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, and Stanza Redux every 5 days. Most recently, PocketBook Reader was updated on October 19, 2026 and Stanza Redux on October 1, 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.*