# PDF Reader vs epuBear Reader

The clearest difference is rating: PDF Reader at 4.9 against epuBear Reader's 4.2. PDF Reader also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months). epuBear Reader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (83% vs 71%). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Reader sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. epuBear Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

PDF Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 6 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 71% of PDF Reader's written reviews are positive against 83% of epuBear Reader's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

PDF Reader ships an update every 3 weeks, epuBear Reader every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on August 30, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Reader | epuBear Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-mini-version/id898564035/reviews)** | [4.2 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epubear-reader/id1182406223/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 71.4% of reviews | **83.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 50 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [绪强 任](https://appshunter.io/developer/898564038) | [SCAND LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/385243124) |

## What reviewers say

### 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 |


### epuBear Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epubear-reader/id1182406223)

This application is a dedicated reader for EPUB format books, offering a seamless and ad-free experience. It provides essential reading features like navigation, font customization, and bookmarking, along with advanced options such as text search and highlighting.

**Highlights:** EPUB 2 and EPUB3 compatibility, Chapter and page navigation, Night mode, Adjustable font size, Text search, Bookmarks and highlights, Text-to-speech

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Reader free?

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

### Is epuBear Reader free?

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

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

PDF Reader is rated higher. PDF Reader averages 4.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while epuBear Reader averages 4.2 from 6 ratings.

### Do PDF Reader or epuBear Reader have ads?

Neither PDF Reader nor epuBear Reader shows ads.

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

PDF Reader ships an update every 3 weeks, and epuBear Reader every 7 months. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on August 30, 2026 and epuBear Reader on September 19, 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.*