Two comic readers, different philosophies. One is macOS-native and free. The other is iOS-first with a subscription. Here's how they compare.
Krazoom is the better choice if you read comics on your Mac and want a free, native app with strong library features. Panels is better if you read across iPhone, iPad, and Mac and need cross-device sync — but that comes with a yearly subscription.
| Krazoom | Panels | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (Pro: one-time IAP) | Free + $9.99/yr for Plus |
| Platform | macOS (native SwiftUI) | iOS, macOS (Catalyst) |
| Formats | CBZ, CBR, PDF, image folders | CBZ, CBR, PDF, 7z, EPUB |
| Library | Folder-based, auto-scanning | Import-based |
| Sync | Coming soon (Pro) | iCloud sync |
| Best for | Mac-focused readers | Multi-device Apple users |
Both apps provide single and double page reading modes with smooth navigation. Krazoom's reader is built for the Mac — it supports full keyboard shortcuts, click navigation on screen halves, trackpad swipe gestures, and pinch-to-zoom. Multi-window reading lets you keep the library open while reading in separate windows.
Panels has a polished reading experience too, with configurable page animations and reading direction settings. Its standout feature is Live Translation, which uses on-device ML to overlay translated text directly into comic speech bubbles — a real advantage for manga readers.
Krazoom uses a folder-based approach: point it at your comics folder and it auto-scans everything. Your files stay where they are. Saved searches, reading status filters (All, Currently Reading, Unread, Finished), and collections help you organize without restructuring your files.
Panels imports comics into its own library, which works well for sync but means your files are managed by the app rather than your file system. Smart lists (similar to saved searches) require the $9.99/year Panels Plus subscription.
Krazoom handles CBZ, CBR, PDF, and image folders. CBR support uses macOS's built-in libarchive, so there's no extra dependency to install. Image folder support is unique — just drop a folder of images and Krazoom reads it as a comic.
Panels supports a wider range of archive formats including 7z and comic EPUB. If you have a large collection in those formats, Panels has the edge here.
Krazoom's core features — library management, all reading modes, saved searches, keyboard navigation — are free forever. Pro features (cloud sync, multiple libraries, collections) will be available as a one-time in-app purchase.
Panels offers basic reading for free. Advanced features like smart lists, OPDS server support, and some organizational tools require Panels Plus at $9.99/year. Over three years, that's $30 vs Krazoom's $0 for comparable features.
Krazoom requires no account, collects no data, and has no tracking. Your comics stay on your Mac. Panels can be used without an account for basic features, but sync and some features require signing in.
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