# ASC Manual vs Thorium Reader

The clearest difference is rating: Thorium Reader at 3.6 against ASC Manual's 2.8. Thorium Reader also leads on review sentiment (38% vs 0%) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). ASC Manual's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 26.1). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ASC Manual sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Thorium Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Thorium Reader holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of ASC Manual's written reviews are positive against 38% of Thorium Reader's.

ASC Manual ships an update every 16 months, Thorium Reader every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ASC Manual | Thorium Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/asc-manual/id830608599/reviews) | **[3.6 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thorium-reader/id6745025189/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **11** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **37.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 16 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 37 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 26.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [ASC Holding Corp](https://appshunter.io/developer/521705251) | [Readium](https://appshunter.io/developer/1232183924) |

## What reviewers say

### ASC Manual

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/asc-manual/id830608599)

This comprehensive digital reference guide covers essential filmmaking techniques for both traditional film and modern digital cameras. It provides in-depth information on safety, equipment preparation, and camera operation, serving as an invaluable resource for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

**Highlights:** Digital camera equipment preparation, Motion picture film camera preparation, Safety on the set, Camera section, Lens list and formulas

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Selected Tables, Charts And Formulas - 3rd Edition | $9.99 | one-time |
| 4th Edition | $9.99 | one-time |
| ASC Manual 10TH Ed. Vol. I | $39.99 | one-time |
| ASC Manual 10TH Ed. Vol. II | $39.99 | one-time |


### Thorium Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thorium-reader/id6745025189)

Organize all your ebooks, comics, and manga in a single app. Customize your reading experience with adjustable text, fonts, and themes. Listen to audiobooks and zoom into visual content with ease.

**Highlights:** Unified bookshelf for all content, Adjustable text size and spacing, Multiple font options, Text-to-speech audio playback, Zoom for comics and manga, Offline dictionary and translation, Import EPUB, PDF, CBZ files

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ASC Manual free?

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

### Is Thorium Reader free?

Thorium Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ASC Manual or Thorium Reader?

Thorium Reader is rated higher. ASC Manual averages 2.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Thorium Reader averages 3.6 from 11 ratings.

### Do ASC Manual or Thorium Reader have ads?

Neither ASC Manual nor Thorium Reader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ASC Manual or Thorium Reader?

ASC Manual ships an update every 16 months, and Thorium Reader every 3 weeks. Most recently, ASC Manual was updated on October 4, 2026 and Thorium Reader on October 13, 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.*