First released in 2009, GoodReader® is truly a veteran of the App Store.
In the modern app business, it's not easy to stay relevant that long. We're proud to say that after 13 years and counting, we've been delivering wonderful updates with extraordinary new features. And we're going to keep doing that!
GoodReader is a perfect combination of document-reading and file-managing capabilities. It's your one-stop shop for all your document needs on your iOS device.
Use the app once, and you'll be hooked. Soon you'll be wondering how you ever managed to work without it.
-= File Reading =-
PDF, TXT, MS Office, iWork, HTML, pictures, music & audio-books, videos. This is what you can view in GoodReader, plus you can also annotate PDF files and edit TXT files.
-= PDF Reading and Annotating =-
PDF files is where GoodReader truly shines. Reading experience is so superior, it's hard to describe. To rephrase one of our customers' review, "try it, and you'll see." While you're at it, give our PDF Reflow feature a try. You'll be surprised how much better PDF reading goes when you don't have to scroll left/right all the time, for every single line of text.
Annotating PDFs is another star feature of our app. Adding notes and drawings, highlighting text, and then sharing your annotated files or annotation summaries will be your main productivity and collaboration asset.
-= File Management =-
While reading files is a big part of GoodReader, it's not all it can do. It can also serve as a central hub for all your files, even those that can't be opened by GoodReader itself. It's like bringing your personal computer experience to your mobile device — easily managing huge collections of files and folders will make you forget you don't have your laptop around.
-= Connecting =-
Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, Box.com, WebDAV, SMB, AFP, FTP, SFTP — these are all accessible from inside GoodReader. Download, upload, and sync (*) individual files or huge folder collections.
-= Security =-
With GoodReader, your data security steps up to the level previously only dreamt of. With Pro Pack® (*), our new set of professional-level super-features, you'll get AES-256, a military-grade encryption, for all your data, at a price of a cup of coffee! And it's completely independent from the built-in Apple's Data Protection, so even if a hacker steals and unlocks your device, your data will still be protected by another strong layer of security, our own.
-= Split-Screen =-
This wonderful feature allows you to split (*) an iPad screen in half, to read two files side-by-side. And even two different parts of the same file!
(*): This feature requires a subscription to Pro Pack®, sold separately from inside the app as an in-app purchase.
Product Positioning & Context
Related Ecosystem & Alternatives
Discover adjacent products, open-source repositories, and developer tools sharing similar technical architecture.
Deep-Dive FAQs
What is GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer?
GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer is a digital product or tool described as: Good.iWare, Inc.
Where did GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer originate?
Data for GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer was aggregated directly from the Apple App Store community ecosystem, representing raw developer and early-adopter sentiment.
When was GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer publicly launched?
The initial public indexing or launch date for GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer within our tracked developer communities was recorded on May 7, 2014.
How popular is GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer?
GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer has achieved measurable traction, logging over 13,777 reviews and facilitating 5 recorded discussions or engagements.
Which technical categories define GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer?
Based on metadata extraction, GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer is categorized under topics such as: Productivity, Business.
What are some commercial alternatives to GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer?
Our semantic intelligence engine identifies potential commercial alternatives in the SaaS space, such as Heard, which offers overlapping value propositions.
How does the creator describe GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer?
The original author or development team describes the product as follows: "First released in 2009, GoodReader® is truly a veteran of the App Store.
In the modern app business, it's not easy to stay relevant that long. We're proud to say that after 13 years and counting, ..."
Community Voice & Feedback
So many great features and it works fantastically.
Some function transfer to subscription needed. I brought this app years ago based on these features and seem just wasting my money.
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.
This is a very good application with a friendly user interface for PDF files. I recommend this app. Cheers.
Excellent. The best
I have been using GoodReader for over a decade. It’s so easy to use, works every time, and is simply the best.
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...
All has been said already about GoodReader. What will never be said enough is how useful and polished this App is. It’s an understatement to say the developers did and do a great job. It’s not a professional App only, it’s an everyday App for everyone when you realize all you can do with it
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.
If you will be off the grid but either want to read work documents the Good reader is the only way to go.
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.
God reader has exceptional tools, search capability, and is very easy to use. It organizes all my pdfs very well. I would like to see a way to drag and drop files around. I’m still learning, but I am a subscriber.
Simple. No frills. Has a rotation lock. Gets the job done.
Been using for many, many years. Fantastic App.
This is the only app of this sort that i use. I used it to sign and return documents for both probates and property sales.
Something changed, though. The save video bookmark no longer works to download videos from Youtube. Error message indicates incorrect address.
PLEASE UPDATE!
Still works on an iPhone 6s Plus that can’t be upgraded anymore, but newer versions of iOS don’t work.
This is the only app of this sort that i use. I used it to sign and return documents for both probates and property sales.
Something changed, though. The save video bookmark no longer works to download videos from Youtube. Error message indicates incorrect address.
PLEASE UPDATE!
Still works on an iPhone 6s Plus that can’t be upgraded anymore, but newer versions of iOS don’t work.
I got Good Reader a number of years ago and it seems to be even more powerful and reliable than many other apps I commonly use. This is also far more intuitive for me personally.
Discovery Source
Apple App Store Aggregated via automated community intelligence tracking.
Tech Stack Dependencies
No direct open-source NPM package mentions detected in the product documentation.
Media Tractions & Mentions
No mainstream media stories specifically mentioning this product name have been intercepted yet.
Deep Research & Science
No direct peer-reviewed scientific literature matched with this product's architecture.
SaaS Metrics