# EPUB Reader vs FBReader

The clearest difference is rating: EPUB Reader at 4.2 against FBReader's 3.7. EPUB Reader also leads on review sentiment (65% vs 52%) and ratings volume (809 vs 128). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. EPUB Reader sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and FBReader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

EPUB Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EPUB Reader has 809 ratings behind it against 128, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of EPUB Reader's written reviews are positive against 52% of FBReader's.

EPUB Reader ships an update every 3 weeks, FBReader monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EPUB Reader | FBReader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (809 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epub-reader-reader-for-epub-format/id972654880/reviews)** | [3.7 (128 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fbreader-epub-and-fb2-reader/id1067172178/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **809** | 128 |
| Positive reviews | **64.9% of reviews** | 52.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 129 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [LTD DevelSoftware](https://appshunter.io/developer/717594986) | [FBReader.ORG Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1067172177) |

## What reviewers say

### EPUB Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epub-reader-reader-for-epub-format/id972654880)

This application provides a seamless reading experience for EPUB files, supporting all formatting features. It offers advanced customization options for text, page turning, and display, along with cloud integration and file management tools. Enjoy your favorite books with enhanced productivity and comfort on mobile devices.

**Highlights:** Full EPUB format support, Extensive customization options, Cloud service integration, Speech synthesizer, Multiple page turning animations, Built-in file manager, Wi-Fi and FTP transfer

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thank the Developer | $0.99 | one-time |
| Appearance Customization | $1.99 | one-time |
| Additional Formats | $3.99 | one-time |
| Pro Version | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great reader with customization options
- 📚 Supports various file formats
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 🔊 Good text-to-speech functionality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 💸 Excessive ads even in paid version
- 🔒 Suspicious app permissions
- 🤖 Outdated and unsupported features

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to open certain EPUB files
- Inability to access local and cloud-stored files
- Inconsistent behavior when using dictionary lookup
- Last page of EPUB files not shown

**Requested features**

- Add highlighting and note-taking capabilities
- Improve file management and organization
- Provide better integration with cloud storage services
- Implement pagination and chapter navigation


### FBReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fbreader-epub-and-fb2-reader/id1067172178)

A fast and versatile e-book reader supporting multiple formats like ePub, Kindle, and fb2. It offers cloud syncing for reading progress and a customizable interface. Upgrade to unlock unlimited library access and advanced features.

**Highlights:** Supports ePub, Kindle azw3, fb2, RTF, Word, HTML, and text, ePub3 and Readium LCP DRM support, Cloud syncing of library and reading positions, Customizable appearance and behavior options, Direct opening of downloaded files, Free version with library limits

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FBReader Full Edition | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and smooth reading experience
- 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
- 💡 Customizable font, margin, and layout options
- 🔒 Secure syncing across devices
- 🎨 Retro background textures

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 🔧 Lack of advanced organization features (folders, shelves)
- 🚫 No PDF support
- 🔍 Inconsistent search and book discovery
- 🔒 Privacy concerns around data collection

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues with Google Drive
- Deletion of books from library
- Formatting problems with large footnotes
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Vertical scrolling mode
- Improved bookmark and annotation tools
- Ability to add/change book covers
- Text-to-speech functionality
- Better library management (read/unread, collections)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EPUB Reader free?

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

### Is FBReader free?

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

### Which has better reviews, EPUB Reader or FBReader?

EPUB Reader is rated higher. EPUB Reader averages 4.2 out of 5 from 809 ratings, while FBReader averages 3.7 from 128 ratings.

### Do EPUB Reader or FBReader have ads?

Neither EPUB Reader nor FBReader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, EPUB Reader or FBReader?

EPUB Reader ships an update every 3 weeks, and FBReader monthly. Most recently, EPUB Reader was updated on September 15, 2026 and FBReader on September 23, 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.*