# PocketBook Reader vs Adobe Digital Editions

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PocketBook Reader at 55% against Adobe Digital Editions's 3%. PocketBook Reader also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.2) and chart position (#162 vs unranked). Adobe Digital Editions's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 56) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). 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. Adobe Digital Editions asks for nothing beyond the download.

PocketBook Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9.8K and 2.5K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of PocketBook Reader's written reviews are positive against 3% of Adobe Digital Editions's.

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, Adobe Digital Editions every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | PocketBook Reader | Adobe Digital Editions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketbook-reader/id805488884/reviews)** | [1.2 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adobe-digital-editions/id952977781/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.8K** | 2.5K |
| Positive reviews | **54.5% of reviews** | 2.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#162** | — |
| Size | 106 MB | 74 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pocketbook International SA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1536135171) | [Adobe Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/331646274) |

## What reviewers say

### PocketBook Reader

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

**Currently charting:** #162 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


### Adobe Digital Editions

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adobe-digital-editions/id952977781)

This application serves as a digital reader for Adobe DRM-protected eBooks, supporting EPUB and PDF formats. It allows users to borrow library books, organize their collection, and enjoy interactive content. Read online or offline with customizable reading settings and note-taking features.

**Highlights:** Read EPUB and PDF books, Supports Adobe DRM, Borrow library ebooks, Organize custom library, Interactive EPUB3 content, Customizable reading modes, Highlighting and note-taking

**Features:** 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 Adobe Digital Editions free?

Adobe Digital Editions is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PocketBook Reader or Adobe Digital Editions?

PocketBook Reader is rated higher. PocketBook Reader averages 4.5 out of 5 from 9.8K ratings, while Adobe Digital Editions averages 1.2 from 2.5K ratings.

### Do PocketBook Reader or Adobe Digital Editions have ads?

Neither PocketBook Reader nor Adobe Digital Editions shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PocketBook Reader or Adobe Digital Editions?

PocketBook Reader ships an update every 2 months, and Adobe Digital Editions every 4 months. Most recently, PocketBook Reader was updated on October 15, 2026 and Adobe Digital Editions on October 15, 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.*