# PocketBook Reader vs Local Narrator

The clearest difference is update cadence: Local Narrator at monthly against PocketBook Reader's every 2 months. PocketBook Reader's advantage is chart position (#180 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PocketBook Reader sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Local Narrator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, Local Narrator monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 15, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PocketBook Reader | Local Narrator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (10K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketbook-reader/id805488884/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **10K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 54.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#180** | — |
| Size | 106 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pocketbook International SA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1536135171) | [Carlo Mario Paolo Grimaldi Perez](https://appshunter.io/developer/1792526863) |

## What reviewers say

### PocketBook Reader

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

**Currently charting:** #180 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 (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| eBook | $0.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class A) | $0.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class B) | $1.99 | one-time |
| eBook | $2.99 | one-time |
| eBook (class D) | $3.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 7.09 | $5.99 | one-time |
| eBook | $6.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 10.9 | $9.90 | one-time |
| eBook | $9.99 | one-time |
| eBook: type 12.99 | $11.99 | 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


### Local Narrator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/local-narrator/id6762945789)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Local Narrator Full Access | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PocketBook Reader free?

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

### Is Local Narrator free?

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

### Do PocketBook Reader or Local Narrator have ads?

Neither PocketBook Reader nor Local Narrator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PocketBook Reader or Local Narrator?

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, and Local Narrator monthly. Most recently, PocketBook Reader was updated on November 15, 2026 and Local Narrator on November 9, 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.*