PureReader vs PDF Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PureReader
This app offers a fast and simple way to read TXT and EPUB ebook files. Customize your reading experience with adjustable fonts, spacing, and themes. It supports one-handed use and file transfers via Wi-Fi or iTunes.
- Instant loading
- Customizable line spacing, font size, and theme
- One-handed gesture optimization
- Downloadable and custom font support
- Wi-Fi and iTunes file transfer
- In-app purchase for unlimited files and organization
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PureReader is a Simple and Fast txt/epub ebook reader. Features: • Instant Loading, Tap and Read • Customize Line Spacing, Font Size and Theme • Gestures, optimized for one-handed use • Dozens of fonts available for download, or upload your own font files via Wi-Fi • Transfer books via Wi-Fi or iTunes File Sharing. • Free version of PureReader allows up to 3 files PureReader·Pro (In-App Purchase) features: • Unlimited Files • Use folders to organize your books • Search your book library by filename • Hide your private files, protect them by password
PDF Reader
This app allows you to read various document formats like PDF, EPUB, and CHM on your iPhone and iPad. It supports file import, text search, annotation, and even previewing MS Office files and videos. A simple to-do list and auto-save reading progress are also included.
- Reads PDF, CHM, EPUB, TXT files
- PDF annotation and text search
- File import via Files, Airdrop, iTunes, web
- MS Office and video file preview
- Simple To-Do list functionality
- Auto-save reading progress
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PDF Reader - Mini Version is an amazing reader App on iPhone and iPad Main Fatures: 1. support read pdf、chm、epub、txt file 2. support pdf annotation and text search 3. support import file via Files、Airdrop、iTunes、web browser 4. support MS office Word、Excel、PPT、Video and many other file types preview 5. support simple Todo list 6. support auto save reading progress 7. support Baidu Net Disk
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: PDF Reader at 4.9 against PureReader's 4.2. PDF Reader also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). PureReader's advantage is review sentiment (85% vs 71%) and ratings volume (26 vs 8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. PureReader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PDF Reader sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
PDF Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26 and 8 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 85% of PureReader's written reviews are positive against 71% of PDF Reader's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
PureReader ships an update every 3 months, PDF Reader every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PureReader | PDF Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (26 ratings) | 4.9 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 84.6% of reviews — better | 71.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 26 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 50 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 乙丑 蒋 | 绪强 任 |
Customer experience
PureReader
PDF Reader
In-app purchases
PureReader
- PureReader Pro$3.99
PDF Reader
- Reader App donate$0.99
- Dropbox Support$0.99
- Remove Ad$4.99
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- Todo donate$7.99
- Todo donate$14.99
