Comparison

Bound vs BookPlayer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Bound

Listen to your DRM-free audiobooks with a modern interface. Import files from cloud services or your computer, manage your library, and enjoy features like automatic playback saving, adjustable speed, and chapter support. Includes CarPlay integration and a sleep timer.

Highlights
  • Import from cloud services (Dropbox, OneDrive)
  • Web uploader via WiFi
  • Automatic playback position saving
  • Adjustable playback speed (0.5x-3.0x)
  • Chapter support
  • Sleep timer
  • CarPlay support
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Listen to your favorite DRM-free audiobooks with Bound. Bound allows you to import audio files from various cloud services and play them back in a beautiful modern interface. Bound will automatically save your listening position so that you never lose your place. Supported Audio File Types (DRM-free only): .mp3, .m4a, .m4b, .aac Download - Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive. - Apple Files. - Web Uploader for importing from your computer via WiFi. Manage - Move audio files between books. - Change cover art. - Sort based on author, title, recently added, and recently played. - Rename title and author. - Choose between a number of fun themes. - Dark mode support. Play - Automatically saves playback location as you progress through the book. - Independently configure seek forward and seek backward times. - Chapter support for audio files with embedded chapters (.m4a / .m4b / OverDrive .mp3). - Change playback speed from 0.5X to 3.0X. - Smart Rewind when returning to your book after a while. - Sleep Timer with configurable time or at the end of a chapter. - Manually bookmark locations that you want to return to. - CarPlay support. If you enjoy using Bound, please consider writing a review.

About

BookPlayer

This app provides a dedicated listening experience for audiobooks in M4B, M4A, MP3, and FLAC formats. It offers robust import, management, and playback features, including chapter navigation, variable playback speed, and cloud sync for seamless listening across devices.

Highlights
  • Import audiobooks via AirDrop, Files, iTunes, servers, and zip files
  • Manage library with progress tracking, sorting, and playlists
  • Advanced playback controls including speed, rewind, and volume boost
  • Chapter navigation and lock screen controls
  • Cloud sync for cross-device listening
  • CarPlay and Apple Watch companion app support
Features
Read full description

A wonderful player for your M4B/M4A/MP3/FLAC based audiobooks. Import – Using AirDrop from your Mac or iOS device – From Files and other apps on your device – Via File Sharing in iTunes on your Mac or PC – From your own AudibookShelf or Jellyfin server – Zip files with your folders and books Manage – Maintain and see progress of your books – Mark books as finished – Drag & Drop to sort your library – Create playlists – Automatically play items in turn – Play the first unfinished file by tapping on the playlist artwork – Move files to playlists from the library or import them directly – Edit your book details (title, author, artwork) – Connect to your Hardcover.app account, and track your library progress Listen – Control audio playback from the lock screen, control center or from the companion app on the Apple Watch – Play and navigate books with Chapters – Jump to start of the current book – Change playback speed – Smart rewind – Volume Boost – Support for remote events from headset buttons and the lock screen – Sleep timer with adjustable duration – CarPlay support – VoiceOver support – Dolby Atmos support – Dark mode for night owls – Continue listening across your devices with Cloud Sync, including stand alone playback on your Apple Watch Supported M4B/M4A/MP3 BookPlayer is licensed under GNU General Public License v3.0. The source code and a list of all its contributors can be found on the GitHub page of this project at www.github.com/TortugaPower/BookPlayer You can see our Privacy policy and terms of use in the following links: – https://github.com/TortugaPower/BookPlayer/blob/main/PRIVACY_POLICY.md – https://github.com/TortugaPower/BookPlayer/blob/main/TERMS_CONDITIONS.md For help and ways to contribute to the project see the support section in the Settings screen of BookPlayer or visit www.bookplayer.app If you enjoy BookPlayer, we would be glad if you consider writing a review.

Screenshots

Bound4 screens
BookPlayer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: BookPlayer at Free against Bound's $4.99. BookPlayer also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Bound's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 15) and chart position (#1 vs #60). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

BookPlayer is free to download; Bound costs $4.99 up front. BookPlayer sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Bound asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BookPlayer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BookPlayer has 20K ratings behind it against 2K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Bound's written reviews are positive against 83% of BookPlayer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bound ships an update every 2 months, BookPlayer every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Bound versus BookPlayer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBoundBookPlayer
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (2K ratings)4.8 (20K ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.6% of reviews82.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2K20K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#1 — better#60
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS15.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB81 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDeadpan, LLCGianni Carlo

Customer experience

Bound

All ratings1,992 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral2.5%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews519 reviews
Positive72.6%
Neutral7.9%
Negative19.5%

BookPlayer

All ratings19,792 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral1.3%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews1,311 reviews
Positive82.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative12.5%

User reviews

Bound

From 2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app!
  • 👍 Excellent audiobook player
  • 💡 Seamless cloud storage integration
  • 🚀 Efficient and reliable
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
  • 🐛 Issues with cloud storage connectivity
  • 🐛 Inconsistent playback behavior
  • 🐛 Trouble with large audiobook files
  • 🐛 Missing features like folders/playlists

BookPlayer

From 20K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Flawless playback
  • 👍 Intuitive and clean interface
  • 💡 Ability to import from various sources
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 👍 Remembers playback position

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches
  • 🐛 Issues with importing or playing certain files
  • 🐛 Syncing issues between devices
  • 🐛 Unreliable performance after updates

Bugs and requests

Bound

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Audiobooks disappearing from library after device restart
  • Inability to delete audiobooks from library
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between apps
  • Playback issues with multi-part audiobooks
  • Problems with web uploader functionality

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add support for Apple Watch
  • Implement search and filtering options
  • Allow bookmarks with notes/labels
  • Add Chromecast support
  • Introduce dark mode
Show 1 more
  • Improve cloud storage management

BookPlayer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Playback issues with certain audio formats
  • Importing problems with large audiobook libraries
  • Crashes when deleting books

Requested features

6 requests
  • Bookmark management
  • Percentage completion tracking
  • Improved multi-file book handling
  • Customizable sleep timer
  • iCloud/cloud sync between devices
Show 1 more
  • Siri/Shortcuts integration

In-app purchases

None

Bound

No in-app purchases

11 purchases

BookPlayer

Subscriptions7
  • Support Monthly (1 Month)$1.991 Month
  • Support Monthly (1 Month)$2.991 Month
  • Support Monthly (1 Month)$3.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Pro Monthly (1 Month)$4.991 Month
  • Support Monthly (1 Month)$6.991 Month
  • Support Monthly (1 Month)$9.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly (1 Year)$49.991 Year
One-time4
  • Kind tip$2.99
  • Kind Tip$2.99
  • Excellent Tip2 variants$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Incredible Tip2 variants$9.99

Questions

Is Bound free?
Bound costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is BookPlayer free?
BookPlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Bound or BookPlayer?
BookPlayer is rated higher. Bound averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while BookPlayer averages 4.8 from 20K ratings.
Do Bound or BookPlayer have ads?
Neither Bound nor BookPlayer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bound or BookPlayer?
Bound ships an update every 2 months, and BookPlayer every 9 days. Most recently, Bound was updated on October 26, 2026 and BookPlayer on October 27, 2026.
Which is more popular, Bound or BookPlayer?
Bound currently peaks at #1 in the App Store charts, and BookPlayer at #60. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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