SnailRead
Slow reading for iPad, iPhone, and Mac.
A thoughtful, unhurried reader for PDFs and EPUBs — built for people who want their library in one calm place across iPad, iPhone, and Mac. Optional AI helps when you want it: summaries, recaps, ask-the-book questions. Slow reading is the goal, not a fallback.
What you get
PDF and EPUB, one library
Readium-powered EPUB and a polished PDF reader, with iCloud Drive sync across all your Apple devices. Bring what you already have; nothing to import.
Highlights and notes that travel with you
Annotate freely. Your library, reading progress, highlights and notes sync via iCloud automatically — start on iPad, finish on iPhone.
AI when you want it, never in your face
Optional AI summaries, ask-the-book questions, and reading recaps. Powered by a transparent credit system — you control exactly what you spend.
Built for the iPad
A native iPadOS feel with Liquid Glass chrome, keyboard shortcuts, Apple Pencil annotations, and a focused reading mode that hides everything you don't need.
Pricing
Pick the level that fits how you read. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Free
$0Forever
Read PDFs and EPUBs locally. No sync, no AI. Yours to keep.
Plus
$1.99 / month $14.99 / year $39.99 lifetime
Unlimited highlights and notes, iCloud sync, every customization, Family Sharing.
AI
$4.99 / month $39.99 / year
Everything in Plus, plus AI summaries, Q&A, and recaps. Monthly AI credits included.
AI Pro
$9.99 / month $79.99 / year
Everything in AI, with a generous monthly credit budget built for heavy readers.
Prices shown in USD. Localized prices are charged in your region's currency.
For people who finish the book
SnailRead is for people who actually want to finish the book. Slow reading is the goal, not a fallback. No streaks, no gamification, no nagging notifications — just your library, your highlights, and the time you choose to give them.
Frequently asked
Does it work offline?
Yes. Reading, annotation, and your existing library all work fully offline. iCloud sync is optional and runs in the background when you're online.
Can I share with family?
Yes — Plus, AI, and AI Pro all support Apple Family Sharing, so one subscription covers your household.
What AI provider do you use?
We use leading models for summarization and Q&A. Your reading content is sent to the provider only when you actively trigger an AI action; the app never streams your library in the background.
Where is my data stored?
Books, highlights, notes, and reading progress sync through your private iCloud. They never touch our servers.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Cancel in Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions on any of your Apple devices. You keep access until the end of the current billing period.