# PocketBook Reader vs BionRead

The clearest difference is rating: BionRead at 5.0 against PocketBook Reader's 4.5. BionRead also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). PocketBook Reader's advantage is ratings volume (9.8K vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PocketBook Reader sells 41 one-off in-app purchases and BionRead sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

BionRead holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PocketBook Reader has 9.8K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, BionRead every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PocketBook Reader | BionRead |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketbook-reader/id805488884/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bionread-bionic-fast-reader/id6754270691/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **9.8K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 54.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#160** | — |
| Size | 106 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pocketbook International SA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1536135171) | [sihan wu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1790086406) |

## What reviewers say

### PocketBook Reader

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

**Currently charting:** #160 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


### BionRead

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bionread-bionic-fast-reader/id6754270691)

Enhance reading comprehension and speed with a unique text formatting method. This EPUB reader helps users stay focused and retain information better, especially beneficial for those with attention difficulties.

**Highlights:** EPUB file import and reading, Bionic Reading mode activation, Focus-friendly text formatting, Reading progress tracking, Distraction-free interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PocketBook Reader free?

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

### Is BionRead free?

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

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

BionRead is rated higher. PocketBook Reader averages 4.5 out of 5 from 9.8K ratings, while BionRead averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do PocketBook Reader or BionRead have ads?

Neither PocketBook Reader nor BionRead shows ads.

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

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, and BionRead every 7 months. Most recently, PocketBook Reader was updated on October 11, 2026 and BionRead on October 2, 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.*