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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

WebComics vs Manta

WebComics 4.8★ · Free + IAP 55
Winner Manta
Manta 4.7★ · Free + IAP 65

Manta is the better choice for readers who prefer a subscription model for unlimited access to a selection of stories, despite recent changes introducing a gem system, while WebComics is more suitable for those who don't mind a heavily monetized, pay-per-chapter experience with limited free options.

Full reviews: WebComics · Manta

Both WebComics and Manta offer a wide selection of comics and novels, but recent changes to their monetization models have led to user frustration. Manta, despite introducing a gem system, still provides a better value through its unlimited subscription for a portion of its library, whereas WebComics is consistently criticized for its expensive pay-per-chapter model and difficult-to-earn in-app currency.

Head to head

Content Diversity & Quality edge: MantaR2R8R14R23
WebComics WebComics offers a good diversity of stories, including sci-fi, romance, and BL, with users praising the quality and variety of narratives R2R8R14R23. However, some free comics are considered low quality .
Manta Manta is highly praised for its extensive and high-quality selection of manhwa, manga, and novels, with users frequently finding new and engaging stories . It's noted for top-tier manhwa and manga .
Monetization & Value tieR1R3R6R7
WebComics WebComics is widely criticized for being expensive and money-hungry, with users needing to pay for most chapters even after watching ads R1R7R9. The gem system is seen as predatory, requiring a large number of coins for very few gems R3R6R12. Even premium subscriptions offer limited benefits .
Manta Manta's monetization has shifted, leading to significant user dissatisfaction. While it used to offer unlimited access with a single subscription, it now largely relies on a gem system for many stories, making the subscription feel less valuable R73. Users report drastic increases in gem costs per chapter R94.
Free Reading Options edge: WebComicsR1R11R17R22
WebComics WebComics offers limited free reading through ads, typically 5 chapters per day, which users find insufficient and frustrating R1R11R17. Ads can be long and repetitive . The free token/coin system is ineffective for earning gems R22.
Manta Manta previously allowed users to watch ads or wait 24+ hours for free chapter unlocks, but this option has largely been replaced by the gem system, frustrating users who cannot afford subscriptions or gems . Some free stories are still available, but the selection is limited .
User Experience & Features edge: MantaR4R12R16R19
WebComics WebComics has issues with account deletion R4 and problems with the menu not disappearing during reading on iPad . Some users report issues with rewards not being delivered after completing tasks R12R19R33. The app's layout and functionality are generally considered okay R16, but some older features have been removed .
Manta Manta is praised for its clean, intuitive, and visually appealing interface, making it easy to navigate and find series . Users appreciate the convenience of reading manhwa, manga, and novels in one place . A common request is for a comment section . Some users report issues with account linking between app and web and an inability to change age .
Reliability & Support tieR12R19R33R61
WebComics WebComics users report issues with paid gems not being delivered and receiving only automated responses to feedback R19. There are also complaints about the gem playground not granting coins after task completion R12R33.
Manta Manta has faced criticism for using AI translations, which users find unacceptable for a paid service R61R64R67. Some users have experienced issues with subscriptions not working or being difficult to cancel . There are also reports of stories being marked complete when they are not, or being removed .
Pick WebComics if

you prioritize a wide range of stories, including Chinese comics, and are willing to navigate a heavily monetized pay-per-chapter system with limited free ad-supported options R2.

Pick Manta if

you prefer a generally smooth user experience with a strong selection of manhwa, manga, and novels, and are comfortable with a subscription model that provides unlimited access to some content, even if other content requires additional gem purchases .

Evidence note: Both apps have seen recent negative sentiment due to changes in their monetization models, particularly the introduction or expansion of gem systems, which has led to a perceived decrease in value for subscribers. Manta's lifetime rating is slightly lower but its user experience and content quality are still generally praised.

Frequently asked

Is WebComics truly free to use?
WebComics is not truly free; while it offers some free chapters via ads (limited to 5 per day) or a difficult-to-earn coin system, most stories quickly require payment in gems, which users find expensive R1R7R9R25.
What are the main complaints about Manta's pricing?
The main complaints about Manta's pricing revolve around the recent introduction or expansion of a gem system, which forces subscribers to pay extra for many stories that were previously included in the subscription, and a drastic increase in gem costs per chapter R73R76R90R94.
Does Manta use AI for translations?
Yes, Manta has switched to using AI for translations, which has been met with strong disapproval from users who are paying for the service and expect human-quality translations R61R64R67.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] WebComics 5/5 · US Good diversity among stories: I love the diversity amongst the stories even if they seem relatively alike they all have different personalities and themes. How they conclude is also different
  2. [R8] WebComics 5/5 · US Great app: Loving all the stories
  3. [R14] WebComics 5/5 · US I love it: It has so many different things to and read it the best to read BL for me.
  4. [R23] WebComics 5/5 · US I like it!: I like the Sci fi mangas that was so Cool I can’t stop reading it with my friend I want to read more but… I need to pay gems so thank you very much for making this app Make more Many cool sci fi and romance fantasy!.!.
  5. [R1] WebComics 1/5 · US They want to Scam you: Loved some of the comics in here but when you get 30 chapters in and aren’t buying gems to pay for chapters they remove the watch ad to release chapter which you only get 5 a day to begin with
  6. [R3] WebComics 3/5 · US Gems: The gems are too hard to come by and if I can read a chapter in like 2minutes then i shouldn’t have to take 20 trying to get gems to read the next chapter
  7. [R6] WebComics 3/5 · US Gems: I don’t like that it takes forever to get coins
  8. [R7] WebComics 2/5 · US Disappointed: I’m disappointed. Ads then pay for reading…why not all ads or put somewhere that it’s pay to read.
  9. [R11] WebComics 5/5 · US Love it! But…: I LOVE this app! I enjoy reading in it and using it! I’ve been using it for a while, but there’s a slight problem. I’m not sure if it’s an update or a bug, but lately my 5 add free watch thing hasn’t been working! I come back everyday, and it still hasn’t replenished! Idk what it is, but if ifs a bug, ok! And if it’s not, then ok again :3
  10. [R17] WebComics 4/5 · US Why only 5: I was wondering why there’s only allowed 5 ads per day I mean I know that you need money for the company and for the artists but if you let more than 5 ads a day then you could have more ad revenue for that I don’t mean to make all of them add unlocks but only 5 feels like stoping at the last page to a chapter
  11. [R22] WebComics 1/5 · US Coins and gems system makes no sense: Sucks. Watch one video get 1-2 thousand coins redeem coins to turn them into gems. Get .01 gems need 5 gems for 1 chapter. So you need 100 thousand (100,000)coins to get 1 gem or 500,000 for 5 gem aka 1 chapter of a comic. I’ll just go to a different app like webtoonz watch one chapter and get to read in entire episode
  12. [R4] WebComics 1/5 · US Account deletion is not an option.: I wanted to delete my account but lo and behold I can’t do it because the account deletion button is hidden now what am I supposed to do???
  13. [R12] WebComics 3/5 · US starts are great: the story’s have a wide range and o have not been board yet, but the majority of them you have to buy, cons are much 240 of them is1/100 of a gem and it can cost 5 gems to read a book sometimes also i am having problems with the gem playground even when i complete the task i can’t get the coins
  14. [R16] WebComics 2/5 · US Way too Expensive: I think the layout of the app seems okay, but it’s way too expensive. I love to support authors but this doesn’t seem to be very feasible with the way their pricing is set up.
  15. [R19] WebComics 1/5 · US Paid for gems, not delivered: I paid for several gem packs, nothing has been delivered. Submitted screenshots through feedback, nothing but an automated response.
  16. [R33] WebComics 3/5 · US Don’t give rewards you pay for threw offers…: So I love this app let’s start their because there is some really good stories on this app. But that’s where the problem come in for me… The fact that the stories are so good I’m willing to pay for what I like but why have offers for us to complete to get more gems to read more if your not going to give us the reward after we complete the task… I have
  17. [R61] Manta 1/5 · US They use Ai: They have switched to using ai to translate. It’s unacceptable. We are PAYING for this service for actual human transmission. F Ai
  18. [R9] WebComics 3/5 · US Not free: It has a lot of great books but there are a lot of ads and you do have to pay for the books
  19. [R25] WebComics 1/5 · US expensive: I just wanna read manga and only 5 ad episodes are available each day. After that you have to pay…to read the later episode. I look at the gem value and estimated..5$ gem value wont even last an hour of reading. Meaning it cost 5$+ to read on this app hourly. I cant afford that.
  20. [R73] Manta 2/5 · US I Miss How Manta Used to Be: I loved this app because all I had to do was pay a subscription and not have to worry about any special currency to unlock chapters. That’s not true anymore since they introduced gems. Even increasing the subscription price a little would be better than having to pay for them if I want access to much of the content.
  21. [R76] Manta 1/5 · US Great app until they became money hungry: As someone who has had manta for like 6 years, I loved it when I first had it and it was a simple subscription that gave access to stories without having to wait for reading passes. Ever since they added gems, they’ve completely disregarded all of the original supporters of their app and made everything cost gems (which you can only really get if you pay e
  22. [R90] Manta 3/5 · US Good but….: I pay for the monthly subscription, it’s not expensive at all. But the fact that they added in the gem system is so freaking annoying. I feel like they’re trying to get every little penny from me. Granted the gems aren’t as expensive as I’ve seen some apps. But almost all the stuff I read is now on the gem system. What’s the point of the subscription if you’re just gonna make me pay mo
  23. [R94] Manta 1/5 · US Used to love: I used to love manta but they randomly changed the gem system from 5-6 gems an episode to 50-60. So if you get the monthly pack subscription you only get maybe 4-5 episodes a month. Ridiculous
  24. [R64] Manta 1/5 · US AI translations: They’re charging a lot of money for AI translations for the webtoons and novels and the should be ashamed to replace quality translation work with AI translation.
  25. [R67] Manta 1/5 · US Uses AI Translation: Used to be one of my favorite manhwa apps but when I started to notice errors did some digging and saw they have partnered with an AI translation tool called Rivetta. Why would I pay for AI translations, especially when I can do that myself and pay less for the original? This is going to cause piracy of these titles to rise because no one will want to pay for AI translated slo

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store