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– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Comic Book Reader Apps

Panels vs OpenComic

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Panels #5 in Comic Book Reader Apps 7.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Panels
OpenComic #6 in Comic Book Reader Apps 7.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit OpenComic

Panels leads on 0 checks, OpenComic on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePanels · 7.6/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPanels · 4 of 4

Panels scores higher on our rubric for comic book reader apps: 7.6 against 7.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Panels is the better fit for apple users who want cloud libraries and panel reading. OpenComic is the better fit for desktop readers needing broad archive and server support.

  • Panels fits best

    Apple users who want cloud libraries and panel reading

  • OpenComic fits best

    Desktop readers needing broad archive and server support

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Side by side

Feature Panels 7.6/10 Visit ↗ OpenComic 7.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.6 7.5
Ranking #5 in Comic Book Reader Apps #6 in Comic Book Reader Apps
Best for Apple users who want cloud libraries and panel reading Desktop readers needing broad archive and server support
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Mobile, Desktop Desktop
Platforms iOS, macOS Windows, macOS, Linux
Integrations 8 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo
Features Panels 4/4 · OpenComic 3/4
Panel-by-panel mode ✓ ✓
Library organization ✓ ✓
Cloud sync ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Manga reading ✓ ✓
Specs
Archive formats CBZ, CBR, CB7 (7z), PDF, comic ePUB RAR, ZIP, 7Z, TAR, TAR.GZ, TAR.XZ, TAR.BZIP2, TAR.ZSTD, LZH, ACE, CBR, CBZ, CBA, CB7, CBT
Platforms iOS, macOS Windows, macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros
  • Reads CBZ, CBR, CB7, PDF, and image-based comic ePUB files
  • Supports cloud folders and OPDS libraries, including Komga and Kavita
  • Offers panel-by-panel reading, manga direction, and cross-device progress sync
  • Reads a wide range of comic and compressed archive formats
  • Connects to SMB, FTP, SFTP, S3, WebDAV, and OPDS catalogs
  • Offers manga and webtoon modes, guided view, and library organization
Cons
  • Available only on iOS and macOS
  • Cloud libraries and OPDS require a premium option
  • Page filters and text detection are premium features
  • Desktop-only deployment limits reading to Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • No verified sync across devices
  • Its remote-server and AI tools may be more than casual readers need
Our verdict

Panels is a DRM-free comic and manga reader for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, aimed at Apple users who want to keep a digital library organized and read across devices. It handles CBZ, CBR, CB7, PDF, and image-based comic ePUB files, with…

Read the review →

OpenComic is a free desktop application for reading comics, manga, webtoons, e-books, and PDFs. It suits solo readers who want to manage a local collection or connect to remote storage, with installers for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its…

Read the review →
  1. PanelsComic Book Reader Apps 7.6Free plan
  2. OpenComicComic Book Reader Apps 7.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Panels — where it wins

    • Reads CBZ, CBR, CB7, PDF, and image-based comic ePUB files
    • Supports cloud folders and OPDS libraries, including Komga and Kavita
    • Offers panel-by-panel reading, manga direction, and cross-device progress sync

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only on iOS and macOS
    • Cloud libraries and OPDS require a premium option
    • Page filters and text detection are premium features

  • OpenComic — where it wins

    • Reads a wide range of comic and compressed archive formats
    • Connects to SMB, FTP, SFTP, S3, WebDAV, and OPDS catalogs
    • Offers manga and webtoon modes, guided view, and library organization

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop-only deployment limits reading to Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • No verified sync across devices
    • Its remote-server and AI tools may be more than casual readers need

More comparisons

All comic book reader apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on comic book reader apps

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update