Bound vs plappa
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
plappa
This app is a client for self-hosted media servers like Jellyfin and AudioBookShelf, designed specifically for playing audiobooks. It supports common audio formats, reads metadata, and allows for offline listening with optional in-app purchases for advanced features.
- Jellyfin, Emby, AudioBookShelf client
- Supports common audio formats
- Saves and syncs playback states
- Reads audiobook metadata
- Offline listening (via IAP)
- Podcast and collection support (AudioBookShelf)
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Disclaimer: plappa only works in connection with a Jellyfin or AudioBookShelf media server! plappa is an audiobook player/client for Jellyfin, Emby and AudioBookShelf, the popular self-hosted media server. Features: - Support for most common audio formats - Purpose built for audiobooks - Save and sync playback states via iCloud or your AudioBookShelf server - Reads metadata like author, narrator and others - Download audiobooks and podcast episodes for offline listening* - Support for podcasts, collections and series with AudioBookShelf * plappa allows you to unlock additional features like downloads and customization options through optional in-app purchases: You can choose between a one-time purchase or an auto-renewing subscription (1 month free trial included). The one-time purchase unlocks all current and future updates. With the subscription, all features are available for the duration of your subscription. Both the subscription and one-time purchase can be shared with your family. plappa is licensed under the Apple standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: plappa at Free against Bound's $4.99. plappa also leads on review sentiment (87% vs 73%). Bound's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#3 vs unranked). On rating, update cadence, 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
plappa is free to download; Bound costs $4.99 up front. plappa sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Bound asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Bound against 4.7 for plappa. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bound has 2K ratings behind it against 331, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of Bound's written reviews are positive against 87% of plappa's.
Bound ships an update every 2 months, plappa every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 18, 2026.
| Parameter | Bound | plappa |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (2K ratings) | 4.7 (331 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 72.6% of reviews | 86.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2K — better | 331 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #3 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 48 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Deadpan, LLC | Leo Wehrfritz |
Customer experience
Bound
plappa
User reviews
Bound
From 2K App Store ratingsWhat 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
plappa
From 331 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Great app with all the same features
- 🚀 Excellent, love download to watch
- 🚀 Works great! Just what I needed!
- 👍 Brilliant app
- 👍 Amazing!
Room to improve
- 🐛 Great player. Audiobookshelf support needs work
- 🐛 Small bugs, good app
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 moreShow fewer
- Improve cloud storage management
plappa
Reported bugs
2 issues- Can't login Audiobookshelf
- Podcasts library not listing all podcasts
Requested features
9 requests- Auto download when start playing book
- Auto delete when finished book
- Option to add multiple servers
- More sorting and filtering options in the library section
- Refresh button for libraries
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Easy way to change server address without logging out
- Sync the unplayed/unlistened flags with AudiobookShelf
- Shortcut to bookmarks from within the player
- Slider for fine-tuned control of playback speed
In-app purchases
Bound
No in-app purchases
plappa
- Subscription (1 Year)1 Month trial$1.991 Year
- Full Version (Lifetime)$4.99
