# PureReader vs PDF Reader

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | PureReader | PDF Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/purereader-a-txtepub-reader/id879281112/reviews) | **[4.9 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-mini-version/id898564035/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **26** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | **84.6% of reviews** | 71.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 8 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [乙丑 蒋](https://appshunter.io/developer/364993963) | [绪强 任](https://appshunter.io/developer/898564038) |

## What reviewers say

### PureReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/purereader-a-txtepub-reader/id879281112)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PureReader Pro | $3.99 | one-time |


### PDF Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-mini-version/id898564035)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reader App donate | $0.99 | one-time |
| Dropbox Support | $0.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ad | $4.99 | one-time |
| Todo donate | $7.99 | one-time |
| Todo donate | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PureReader free?

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

### Is PDF Reader free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PureReader or PDF Reader?

PDF Reader is rated higher. PureReader averages 4.2 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while PDF Reader averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.

### Do PureReader or PDF Reader have ads?

Neither PureReader nor PDF Reader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PureReader or PDF Reader?

PureReader ships an update every 3 months, and PDF Reader every 3 weeks. Most recently, PureReader was updated on September 27, 2026 and PDF Reader on September 25, 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.*