Review Insights · App Store
GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer
Good.iWare, Inc. · 13,779 ratings · ★ 4.7
4.7
★★★★★
13,779 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 27 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"subscription"
8 negative reviews mention this · 30% of all complaints
★★★★★ "User Policy go bad. Some function transfer to subscription needed. I brought this app years ago based on these features and seem just wasting my money." - DaveCC2026
2
"files"
7 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Will not open I cloud folders just individual files. I would like to have this app open a folder that I have a very organized library of documents, but it only lets me import them one at a time and I refuse to do that. The interface for viewing a table of contents within a pdf is behind a pop…" - Jggrnt51
3
"goodreader"
6 negative reviews mention this · 22% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Scam to purchase subscription.. I originally purchase Goodreader years ago, would have considered to buy upgrade versions over the years. However, APP developer got greedy and thinks this app warrants subscription with no real changes to its functionality. A real shame,…" - Pathfinder21
4
"years"
5 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "User Policy go bad. Some function transfer to subscription needed. I brought this app years ago based on these features and seem just wasting my money." - DaveCC2026
5
"paid"
5 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Scam to purchase subscription.. I originally purchase Goodreader years ago, would have considered to buy upgrade versions over the years. However, APP developer got greedy and thinks this app warrants subscription with no real changes to its functionality. A real shame,…" - Pathfinder21
6
"every"
5 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Crashes constantly. iOS 26.2. Like the title said, it crashes constantly. It’s the only app I have that ever crashes. 2 stars because I like it when it runs. Updated Anan 2026: still the only app I have that crashed - and it crashes every single time I import …" - 8900
7
"ipad"
5 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Purchased, Installed, Used, Uninstalled. I bought GoodReader because I can’t add bookmarks in Acrobat on iPad. I would gladly switch completely to GoodReader, but GoodReader won’t display documents with white type on a black background, which I need. To make it even more useless, …" - Imopolex
8
"other"
5 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Purchased, Installed, Used, Uninstalled. I bought GoodReader because I can’t add bookmarks in Acrobat on iPad. I would gladly switch completely to GoodReader, but GoodReader won’t display documents with white type on a black background, which I need. To make it even more useless, …" - Imopolex
9
"user"
4 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "User Policy go bad. Some function transfer to subscription needed. I brought this app years ago based on these features and seem just wasting my money." - DaveCC2026
10
"needed"
4 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "User Policy go bad. Some function transfer to subscription needed. I brought this app years ago based on these features and seem just wasting my money." - DaveCC2026
11
"features"
4 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "User Policy go bad. Some function transfer to subscription needed. I brought this app years ago based on these features and seem just wasting my money." - DaveCC2026
12
"money"
4 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "User Policy go bad. Some function transfer to subscription needed. I brought this app years ago based on these features and seem just wasting my money." - DaveCC2026
📋 All 27 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
User Policy go bad
Some function transfer to subscription needed. I brought this app years ago based on these features and seem just wasting my money.
Nonfunctional. It used to be a great app
This was one of the first apps I got back in 2009 and has been fantastic until earlier this year. It doesn't work anymore, doesn't open, doesn't open files, it's nonfunctional...
Such a pity...
Such a pity...
Scam to purchase subscription.
I originally purchase Goodreader years ago, would have considered to buy upgrade versions over the years. However, APP developer got greedy and thinks this app warrants subscription with no real changes to its functionality. A real shame, but had to move on to better alternatives. Just wish I could use the older app that I paid hard earned money. Good luck Developers of Goodreader as AI has replaced your talents.
I must be doing something wrong
Just when I thought this would be the perfect app that disappoints me.
Purchased, Installed, Used, Uninstalled
I bought GoodReader because I can’t add bookmarks in Acrobat on iPad. I would gladly switch completely to GoodReader, but GoodReader won’t display documents with white type on a black background, which I need. To make it even more useless, I can’t add bookmarks to existing PDFs but must import them to GoodReader, which makes them inaccessible to other programs. This renders the program completely useless to me.
GOOD READER - STAY AWAY
I have used this app for over a decade. I used to love it and used to recommend it to all I know. It’s great until you have a problem. Their idea of support consists of sending an email into a black box and supposedly waiting 1-3 days for support. (It would be more realistic for them to say never….) My firm and I are actively seeking alternate options for me and all of my colleagues. What a shame. Avoid this app unless you can be sure you will never need support.
Very Poor customer service
I am a paid subscriber of goodeeader and actually like the app. The probelm is if you have a problem with the app their manual doesn’t resolve or dicuss, good luck hearing back from their customer service. Once they receive your message, they will send you an email saying they’ll get back in 1 to 3 days and never do. Even though the app is a good one if the customer service is non-responsive then it becomes useless once you encounter a problem like I have. My recommendation is look elsewhere where a customer serivce department acrually exists and responds to laid subscirbers. Thanks!
Will not send file out vie mail
USELESS…I have a file saved in good reader in my iPad… I need to send this file to an important contact…
BUT THE APP…WILL…NOT…EMAIL…OUT…
The send ( blue arrow) button goes grey as soon as I enter an email address
JUNK !,!!!
Do not buy if file management is important ..as once a file is….IN…. GOODREADER… IT WILL NE HELD PERMANENTLY ..
YOU CANT EMAIL OUT OR TRANSFER TO FILES. THE FILE WILL BE HELD AS A HOSTAGE
BUT THE APP…WILL…NOT…EMAIL…OUT…
The send ( blue arrow) button goes grey as soon as I enter an email address
JUNK !,!!!
Do not buy if file management is important ..as once a file is….IN…. GOODREADER… IT WILL NE HELD PERMANENTLY ..
YOU CANT EMAIL OUT OR TRANSFER TO FILES. THE FILE WILL BE HELD AS A HOSTAGE
Bad cloud support
Paid app, yet you have to pay a subscription on top to sync files with cloud. Should be one or the other, not both. Greedy.
Also, linking to cloud is tedious / non-intuitive.
Also, linking to cloud is tedious / non-intuitive.
Locks up
Sharing even a single file locks up the application.
FYI - the free version of “PDF Expert” appears to work good with more functionality.
FYI - the free version of “PDF Expert” appears to work good with more functionality.
Reflow cannot handle two columned page
I’m trying to read a book printed in columns and reflow feature routinely skips one column.
SCAM EVERYTHING USEFUL LOCKED BEHIND PAYWALL
This app is a scam, you pay for the App only to be locked behind a monthly membership paywall just to do simple tasks like rotating a PDF. Google “Reddit rotate pdf free” instead and download the shortcut. Hopefully this saves someone money and prevents another dollar from being spent on this app
Google Drive sync broken
Google Drive sync broken
Scam
I purchased this app which claims that it can edit PDF and it turns out not to be the case. I tried editing one PDF document; then the app prompts me to buy some pro pack as a subscription regardless of whether I already paid for the app. This is a scam. I wish the developer would’ve said that it was a subscription based app. I will be calling Apple to report this.
LONG time user who PURCHASED this app when it was new!
LONG time user who PURCHASED this app when it was new.
I NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED the permission to go to an annual plan, nor did I desire to suffer through the wonky mess and the corrupting of a large number of Important files.
I THOUGHT the files were safe and now find Good Reader has corrupted documents I needed.
GREEDY companies who DID NOT notify me of the change in the terms I agreed on. Piss Me OFF
I NEVER agreed to the Apple revolving charges for Good Reader. The app initially was robust and a pleasure to use.
Now a large number of IMPORTANT FILES are Corrupt and unusable! I’m stuck with the charges (which I just noticed) Not for long.
You may have screwed me this time, but you will never do it again!
I NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED the permission to go to an annual plan, nor did I desire to suffer through the wonky mess and the corrupting of a large number of Important files.
I THOUGHT the files were safe and now find Good Reader has corrupted documents I needed.
GREEDY companies who DID NOT notify me of the change in the terms I agreed on. Piss Me OFF
I NEVER agreed to the Apple revolving charges for Good Reader. The app initially was robust and a pleasure to use.
Now a large number of IMPORTANT FILES are Corrupt and unusable! I’m stuck with the charges (which I just noticed) Not for long.
You may have screwed me this time, but you will never do it again!
Subscriptions - no!
Years (many) ago I supported GoodReader with my $$$ when they needed customers. I purchase every app I use because it is the right thing to do while many use a free version…
Then, developers discovered the “subscription model cash cow”! And now the tech world has changed!
Like many developers GoodReader added a few bells and whistles, nice, but so what? Now they want customers to pay subscription fees for them! How about some loyalty and consideration for your customers who were there for you early on? Oh, I know the answer to that question, NO!
I got along without you before I met you and I’m getting along without you now, with a better app and no “subscription”!
Then, developers discovered the “subscription model cash cow”! And now the tech world has changed!
Like many developers GoodReader added a few bells and whistles, nice, but so what? Now they want customers to pay subscription fees for them! How about some loyalty and consideration for your customers who were there for you early on? Oh, I know the answer to that question, NO!
I got along without you before I met you and I’m getting along without you now, with a better app and no “subscription”!
Spams ads
Used to be good, but was changed a while ago and now spams ads for a subscription service. The developers comment on bad reviews with gaslighting style responses (see if you can find one with an edit that shows the person raising concerns was helped). Recommend staying away if you like reading books without interruptions.
Terrible
Can’t even print. Total junk.
AreU deleting Neg reviews? {F- User Manual}
Where is the negative review titled:
“read the neg reviews”?
Did you remove it?
I originally bought GR for $9.95 like 15yrs ago. I received helpful support for a very short time and then it became worthless tech-supp. I have liked the simple filing aspects. But I’ve been reading the neg reviews and they support what I’ve thought was just the company’s unwillingness to help just me.. like I offended them by my repeated attempts to get answers and help. Your user manual seems to have been designed by a cross-eyed dyslexic… no congruity; no alphabetized table of contents; no viewable categorized index. . . Not that I’ve been able to locate. There are other problems. Crashes when attempting to import an iPhone video; EVERY time❗️ These people seem to like adoration, and do not get to work and make needed app-corrections and refinements based on user criticism. What are you doing over there anyways?🥸
“read the neg reviews”?
Did you remove it?
I originally bought GR for $9.95 like 15yrs ago. I received helpful support for a very short time and then it became worthless tech-supp. I have liked the simple filing aspects. But I’ve been reading the neg reviews and they support what I’ve thought was just the company’s unwillingness to help just me.. like I offended them by my repeated attempts to get answers and help. Your user manual seems to have been designed by a cross-eyed dyslexic… no congruity; no alphabetized table of contents; no viewable categorized index. . . Not that I’ve been able to locate. There are other problems. Crashes when attempting to import an iPhone video; EVERY time❗️ These people seem to like adoration, and do not get to work and make needed app-corrections and refinements based on user criticism. What are you doing over there anyways?🥸
Use to be great, now not so much
Death by a thousand cuts, I ended up providing feedback on screen shots because GoodReader is no longer the multi-functional editing too it once was. So long
Will not open I cloud folders just individual files
I would like to have this app open a folder that I have a very organized library of documents, but it only lets me import them one at a time and I refuse to do that. The interface for viewing a table of contents within a pdf is behind a pop up and not an all useful if wanting to use it to reference certain chapters within a PDF document. This app may work well for some but is not conductive to my workflow.
Crashes constantly
iOS 26.2. Like the title said, it crashes constantly. It’s the only app I have that ever crashes. 2 stars because I like it when it runs. Updated Anan 2026: still the only app I have that crashed - and it crashes every single time I import a file/photo.
Legacy App - They’re Phoning It In Now
I’ve been a paying user of GoodReader since it was new. For many years it had an excellent user manual and Help documentation - that’s all gone now. Help redirects to a minimal website with a few articles on a few features of the app. Literally no help on how to set up the app to email a document (yes, some of use still use email, right?). Is the company still in business? I doubt it.
Unless you have directly relevant experience, or can slog through endless trial and error, avoid it.
This app likely is quite good if you know all about the .pdf apps that are out there. If you start from little to no such knowledge, as I do, the instructions with this app are not much use at all. They do cute little things to illustrate individual icons-which is to say they describe individual trees-but they do next to nothing, in my opinion, to show you the forest. In other words, there’s no useful overview. You just have to try every imaginable icon and hope to somehow guess how they all interact in useful ways.
iCloud syncing only available on Pro
I paid for this app to be able to sync my files to iCloud between my iPad and Macbook only to find out it’s only available on the Pro version, which costs $17 a month or $79 for the one time purchase. It’s frustrating that there are two options for the app and it’s not stated which version syncs to iCloud. At least have it explicitly said or offer a trial version for the regular version.
Paywalls PDF merging and doesn’t tell you
The description of this app notes a pro pack subscription that gives access to certain features of the app. Namely, the description notes only that security features, file syncing, and iPad split screen are locked behind a subscription (17$ a year). It does not note that in order to merge pdf files, you must purchase this subscription. I scrolled this far down the list of search results for ‘pdf editor’ and spent 6$ on *this* godforsaken app because I did not want to pay a subscription fee to edit PDFs - I wanted to spend my money once and then edit PDFs. Know that this app is not an exception to the subscription model. Perhaps the most basic feature of a PDF editor - merging PDFs - is locked behind a subscription. It is like every other PDF editor on the App Store. You cannot escape predatory pricing and predatory business practices in today’s App Store. I give this 2 stars only because there are plenty of handy features that you don’t require a subscription. But they extort 17$ a year out of you by pointlessly paywalling basic functionality. Very unhappy with my purchase.
Secondary device not recognizing ProPack subsription
I use Good reader for many years on my iPhone.I even subscribed to the pro pack so I could use face recognition and encryption.
I got a new iPad Pro M4 2024. Apple Store recognized good reader and installed I on the iPad . Was able to set up face recognition as well. Unfortunately , when trying to enable the encryption features it asks me to pay for a new subscription. The Apple Store info, from my iPad mentions my subscribed status, but the SW is not accepting it. It is disappointing.
I got a new iPad Pro M4 2024. Apple Store recognized good reader and installed I on the iPad . Was able to set up face recognition as well. Unfortunately , when trying to enable the encryption features it asks me to pay for a new subscription. The Apple Store info, from my iPad mentions my subscribed status, but the SW is not accepting it. It is disappointing.
Sentiment summary
92%
Positive (4-5★)
2%
Neutral (3★)
5%
Negative (1-2★)