Manga is a collective word for comics and graphic novels originating in Japan. They boast unique storylines and striking artwork that have made them a worldwide sensation. However, you need to be careful about the manga reader apps you use since many of them offer pirated content without compensation to creators. In this article, I’ve tried to pick the best manga apps for iPhone and iPad that feature top comics and also give due credit to the creators. Check out the list below.
1. MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA: Editor’s choice
Any list of the free manga reading apps would be incomplete without our top pick, MANGA Plus. This is the official manga reader from Shueisha Inc., the publisher behind some of the most notable comics such as Naruto, Dragon Ball, One Piece, Bleach, and more. It’s available globally, and you get the latest chapters for free simultaneously when they release in Japan. Moreover, the money raised from the in-app ads is directly returned to the creators as a fair way to support them. My favorite part about this app is how you can connect with a vibrant community of fans worldwide and leave comments on each chapter you read. You can even create a collection of your favorite manga. Lastly, the app is well laid out and easy to navigate. Rotating your phone quickly switches between landscape and portrait modes. You can even choose the reading direction and manga resolution. Price: Free
Greatest manga titlesFree to readGlobal communityWell organized and feature-richThe official app that supports creators
Limited content availability
Download
2. Shonen Jump Manga and Comics
Here’s another manga app that’s free to use and features the most popular titles, such as Naruto, Dr. Stone, and One Piece, along with new and unique ones. All the chapters are updated as soon as they are released. While many are free to read, you have to join as a member for full access. However, it’s only a couple of dollars a month to gain access to over ten thousand chapters, making it well worth the price for fellow fans. The interface is easy to use, and you can quickly resume reading from where you left off. You can bookmark your favorite moments and download comics to read offline, anytime, anywhere. Moreover, your subscription will work across devices. Further, with landscape mode, you can enjoy 2-page spreads that enhance the reading experience and make it similar to reading a physical book. The app lets you access up to 100 chapters a day for free. I’m sure you’ll be hooked. Try it yourself! Price: $1.99 for a monthly subscription
Extensive collection of comicsOffline reading Affordable membership Read previews of paid volumes before buying
Difficult to switch between landscape and portrait modesThe interface could be improved
Download
3. WebComics Daily Manga
You no longer need to wonder where to read manga and connect with a vibrant community of like-minded fans. Here’s a fantastic app that boasts comics spanning a wide range of genres, including romance, action, thriller, and more. You can check out what’s trending and catch up on the latest popular comics that appeal to your tastes. Moreover, it will give you smart recommendations for more comics based on what you read and like. In addition to comics, it also boasts a vast collection of novels. But the best part of this app is the large community of readers with whom you can connect via the in-app chat. There are tons of topics to discuss and questions to answer for an immersive social experience. Price: $5.99 for a monthly subscription
Great community of readersSupports full-screen view and dark mode.Download to read offline
No way to track read and unread comics.
Download
4. VIZ Manga – Direct from Japan
Here’s another top manga reader app that’s packed with a massive catalog and convenient features. It’s updated with new chapters every day from your favorite and most popular manga series. Moreover, you can download comics to read later at your convenience. My favorite thing about this app is the clean interface that makes it a breeze to browse through the vast library of titles. Everything is nicely organized, and it’s easy to find just what you’re looking for with the powerful search tool and filters. It also suggests new manga and comics based on your previous search and bookmarked mangas’ type. Price: $1.99 per month
Clean and easy interface Personalized recommendations Purchase once, read on any iOS deviceAffordable subscription
No cross-device sync
Download
5. MangaToon – Manga Reader
Enjoy thousands of manga and comics spanning different categories like action, romance, sci-fi, aliens, fiction, etc. Many new comics are added each week, and you can choose from free or paid options. What makes this one of the best manga apps for iPhone is the plethora of editing and customizing features that ensure a comfortable reading experience even for long hours. Further, there’s the unique aspect of writing your own stories and comics that can earn rewards and accolades. A global community of readers is the cherry on top! Price: In-app purchases start from $0.99
Highly customizable Multiple languages, including English, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, and ThaiUsers can contribute original stories
A bit too many ads
Download
6. ComiXology – Comics & Manga
The guided view lets you experience immersive and cinematic reading options. Conveniently read offline and add books to your wish list to never run out of options. Further, you can read all your purchased books across all your devices. However, a subscription to ComiXology Unlimited is only available for US customers. Price: Free
All-in-one comics app Immersive guided reading viewEasy to use
Download
7. Manga Dogs – webtoon reader
I love the cute graphics in Manga Dogs that perfectly match that kawaii manga vibe. You can browse thousands of manga from over 20 sources and in six languages. While you read, it seamlessly downloads the following chapters in the background. Moreover, it supports landscape and portrait views as well as night mode. You can also check out what others are reading and which comics are trending. It’s user-friendly and easy to understand although some aspects could be improved. For instance, it needs more customization of preferred genres and a better notification system that can help you track which titles have been downloaded. Also, the abundance of ads is pretty annoying and interferes with the reading experience. Price: $2.99 to remove ads for 3 months
Dark mode Well-organized Plenty of free content Read in six languages
Doesn’t support pinch to zoom Too many ads
Download
8. INKR Comics
Whether you’re looking for the official manga, offbeat webtoon, comics, manhua, or something else, INKR comics is one of the best manga readers that you should check out. The black and white comics give you that old-world feel of physical comic books. Moreover, the app adapts to every type of comic for fuss-free reading on any device. The app keeps track of new chapters released and updates you as needed. The best thing is that when you use the same INKR account across devices, your reading progress and other data syncs for convenience. Furthermore, revenues earned are split with content creators and publishers to help support them. Price: $4.99 for an INKR Extra subscription
Sign-in with AppleAuthentic comic-reading experienceCross-platform and cross-device sync
Most content behind a paywall Uses app-based currency in addition to subscription
Download
9. Manga Storm CBR
This app is a free manga reader that can fetch comics DRM-free comics in CBR/CBZ/PDF files from your cloud storage. So, it imports comics you already have on the cloud onto your iPhone or iPad for easy offline reading. It’s a great app because you can use it to organize your imported comics in multilevel folders (called “comic groups”) and take advantage of other features like setting the reading direction you’re most comfortable with. Further, your reading progress is saved automatically, and you can even read multiple comics continuously, moving from the last page of the current one to the first page of the next comic with a swipe. Of course, this app does not help discover any new content. It’s solely a manga reader app for those who already have comics in supported formats like CBR, CBZ, CB7, CBT, RAR, ZIP, 7Z, TAR, and PDF files. Price: Free ($2.99 for Pro)
Handy reading options Supports multiple file formatsEasy-to-use
The interface looks outdated and clunky
Download That rounds up my list of the best manga reader apps though it is a shame that another popular app, Tachiyomi, is not available on iOS. If you have access to an Android device, that’s a top choice. Are there any other manga apps that I’ve left out? Let me know in the comments below. Read more:
Best comic book reader appseBook reader apps for iPhone and iPadBest apps for book lovers
