Manga Storm CBR vs Panels
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Manga Storm CBR
This app allows you to read DRM-free comics in various formats like CBR, CBZ, and PDF directly from cloud storage or after importing them for offline access. It offers advanced features for managing and reading your comic library with customizable styles and progress saving.
- Supports CBR, CBZ, CB7, PDF, and other archive formats
- Direct cloud storage access (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
- Offline reading via import
- Organize comics in multi-leveled folders
- Customizable reading direction (LTR, RTL, Top-to-Bottom)
- Automatic reading progress saving
- Continuous reading within groups
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Manga Storm CBR is an app for reading DRM-Free comics in CBR/CBZ/CBT/CB7/PDF files on your device. You can read your comics on your cloud storages directly or import them to your device to read offline and gain more benefits from advance features. Basic Features ============ √ Support comics in cbr/cbz/cb7/cbt/rar/zip/7z/tar/pdf files. √ Create shortcuts to your cloud storages (called "Comic Drives") and access comics on them directly through the app. √ Support creating Comic Drives for FTP, WebDAV, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and Box. √ Import comics to Manga Storm CBR to read offline from your device storages, iCloud Drive or by using the "Import" menu in Comic Drives. √ Read comics directly from comic drives with just a tap. √ Organize your imported comics in multi-leveled folders. √ Configure import options for each Comic Drive. You can assign default destination group for imported comics and also let the app create sub-groups for them with same structure as the server. √ Read your comics with suitable style. Support "Left to Right", "Right to Left" or "Top to Bottom" reading direction. Advance Features (Only for comics imported to read offline) ========================================== √ Pre-assign appropriate reading style to each comic group or inherit it from parent group. √ Read all comics in the same group continuously. You can turn last page of current comic to first page of next comic with just a swipe. √ Create shortcuts to your frequently accessed comic groups by assigning them to "Favorites". √ Save your reading progress on each comic automatically. Note: Free version contains some limitations but it's good enough to use in your daily reading. For more information, please visit http://www.workcorner.net/products/manga-storm-cbr
Panels
Enhance your comic and manga reading with a clean, customizable interface. Enjoy universal file compatibility, cross-device syncing, and advanced reading presets. Organize your library, secure your content, and import from various cloud services and local networks.
- Universal file compatibility (CBR, CBZ, PDF, ePUB)
- Cross-device reading progress sync
- iCloud Drive integration
- Customizable reading presets
- Right-to-left reading for manga
- OPDS server support
- Content security with password/Face ID
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Improve your comic reading experience with Panels. Enjoy reading your favorite titles in a clean and delightful interface, with plenty of customization and advanced features — fully DRM-free, with first-class support for OPDS, your own library, and your own files. Key features: - Universal Compatibility: Support for most common comic types: CBR, CBZ, CB7, PDF and comic ePUB (not text eBook). Support for multiple image formats, including WebP. - Cross-Device Sync: Synchronize your reading progress across iPhone, iPad and Mac and resume reading exactly where you left off. - Full iCloud Drive support: store your entire library on iCloud and access it from different devices. - Library Organization: Effortlessly manage your comic library with intuitive tools for easy navigation, custom folder colors, logos and cover images. * Themes: support for Light and Dark modes, and many others. * Reading Presets: Choose from a multitude of reading presets or create your own, including horizontal, vertical, or panel-by-panel guided view. - Right to Left reading (manga): read any comic with Panels. * OPDS support: Stream, search and download comics from your OPDS compatible server (Komga, Kavita, Codex, Ubooquity and others). * Secure your content: Keep files locked using a password or Face ID for your collections and files. Use Incognito mode to keep your reading sessions hidden. * Live Text and Subject detection. * Experimental Features: Access experimental features like panel-by-panel navigation. Panels Store — DRM-free comics from independent creators: - Browse and buy comics directly inside Panels, no extra apps or accounts. - 100% DRM-free: every purchase is yours to keep, read offline and back up. - Creators keep 80% of revenue, so your purchases directly support the people making the comics. - Purchased issues are added to your library and sync across your devices automatically. Native support for importing files from: * iCloud Drive * Dropbox * Microsoft OneDrive - Substack * OPDS: Komga, Kavita, Codex and others * Local network shared files and folders via SMB and Embedded web server - iTunes - External drives - Airdrop - Drag&Drop from other apps Page Filters: * Reduce Noise * Increase Sharpness * Reduce Moiré * Crop Borders * Require an active subscription or a one-time purchase. • You may purchase an Auto-Renewing Subscription to unlock all the premium features while it\'s active; or a one-off purchase to unlock the current major version features forever. • Your subscription will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and will automatically renew (at the duration selected) unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Current subscription may not be cancelled during the active subscription period; however, you can manage your subscription and/or turn off auto-renewal by visiting your iTunes Account Settings after purchase • Read our privacy policy and terms of use: https://panels.app/privacy / https://panels.app/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Panels at none against Manga Storm CBR's shown. Panels also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 6 weeks). Manga Storm CBR's advantage is iOS requirement (13.6 vs 15.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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. Manga Storm CBR sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Panels sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Panels holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Panels has 13K ratings behind it against 625, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Manga Storm CBR's written reviews are positive against 70% of Panels's.
Manga Storm CBR ships an update every 6 weeks, Panels every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Manga Storm CBR | Panels |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (625 ratings) | 4.8 (13K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 62.2% of reviews | 70.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 625 | 13K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.6 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 166 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Work Corner Company Limited | Produkt Studio |
Customer experience
Manga Storm CBR
Panels
User reviews
Manga Storm CBR
From 625 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 📚 Supports various file formats
- 💾 Integrates with cloud storage
- 🔍 Allows organizing comics/manga
- 🎨 Good reading experience
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
- 🤔 Confusing interface or lack of instructions
- 💰 Paid version required for full functionality
- 🔍 Difficulty finding/adding content
- 🔍 Issues with chapter/page ordering
Panels
From 13K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Smooth and responsive
- 👍 Clean and modern UI
- 💡 Useful features like panel view and vertical scrolling
- 🔒 No ads in paid version
- 👍 Good import and organization options
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Useful features locked behind paywall
- 🔒 Subscription model instead of one-time purchase
- 🐛 Issues with page navigation and zoom
- 🐛 Problems with reading right-to-left content
Bugs and requests
Manga Storm CBR
Reported bugs
4 issues- Crashes when trying to load large files
- Loses reading progress when switching apps
- Ads interfere with reading experience
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
Requested features
5 requests- Add support for more cloud storage providers
- Implement dark mode
- Improve chapter/page organization and navigation
- Provide better instructions and tutorials
- Integrate with popular manga/comic websites
Panels
Reported bugs
5 issues- Crashes when opening large files
- Issues with page order and navigation
- Problems with zooming and scrolling
- Syncing and importing bugs
- Compatibility issues with older devices
Requested features
6 requests- Ability to create sub-folders and nested collections
- Automatic sorting and organization of comics
- Option to lock reading direction
- Double-tap to zoom functionality
- Progress tracking and bookmarking features
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- Support for more file formats like ePub
In-app purchases
Manga Storm CBR
- Manga Storm CBR Pro$2.99
Panels
- Panels+ Monthly7 Days trial$1.491 Month
- Panels+ Yearly7 Days trial$14.991 Year
- Panels 3 Upgrade$9.99
- Panels 2$19.99
- Panels 3$19.99
Questions
Is Manga Storm CBR free?
Is Panels free?
Which has better reviews, Manga Storm CBR or Panels?
Do Manga Storm CBR or Panels have ads?
Which is updated more often, Manga Storm CBR or Panels?
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