Comparison

BookPlayer vs Glance

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

Head to head
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.

About

Glance

This app offers a minimalist reading experience using RSVP technology to display text word by word. It helps users focus by eliminating distractions and entering a state of flow. Import your own books and customize the reading experience with various fonts and color schemes.

Highlights
  • RSVP speed reading technology
  • Import EPUB, MOBI, and save Texts/URLs
  • Two reading modes (overview and speed)
  • Customizable fonts and color schemes
  • Ad-free and tracking-free experience
Features
Read full description

Glance is a minimalist reading sanctuary designed to help you reclaim your attention. By using RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) technology, Glance brings the text to you, one word at a time. Your eyes stay still, the world fades away, and your mind enters a state of total flow. In an age of endless scrolling and digital noise, Glance invites you to stop scanning and start experiencing. Read in peace, enjoy the moment, and let every sentence resonate. - Total Presence: By centering every word in a single focal point, Glance eliminates distractions and helps you stay deeply connected to the text. - Bring your own Library: Seamlessly import EPUB, MOBI books, or save Texts/URLs to enjoy your favorite articles offline. - Two Reading Modes: Switch between an overview mode similar to conventional reading applications and a speed reading mode - Make it your own: Pick your favorite font and colorscheme from many options We believe your reading time is sacred. That’s why Glance is built on a foundation of respect for your privacy and your pocketbook: No ads. No tracking. No subscriptions. No distractions.  Ever. Just you, the words, and the moment.

Screenshots

BookPlayer4 screens
Glance4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: BookPlayer at Free against Glance's $3.99. BookPlayer also leads on ratings volume (20K vs 8) and chart position (#54 vs unranked). Glance's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 15) and review sentiment (100% vs 83%). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

BookPlayer is free to download; Glance costs $3.99 up front. BookPlayer sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Glance asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for BookPlayer against 4.9 for Glance. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BookPlayer has 20K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of BookPlayer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Glance's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BookPlayer ships an update every 10 days, Glance every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
BookPlayer versus Glance: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBookPlayerGlance
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.8 (20K ratings)4.9 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings20K — better8
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#54 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGianni CarloPETER ZDANKIN

Customer experience

BookPlayer

All ratings19,501 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral1.3%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews1,299 reviews
Positive82.8%
Neutral4.8%
Negative12.4%

Glance

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

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

Glance

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

Glance

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BookPlayer free?
BookPlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Glance free?
Glance costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BookPlayer or Glance?
Glance is rated higher. BookPlayer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 20K ratings, while Glance averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.
Do BookPlayer or Glance have ads?
Neither BookPlayer nor Glance shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BookPlayer or Glance?
BookPlayer ships an update every 10 days, and Glance every 2 weeks. Most recently, BookPlayer was updated on October 22, 2026 and Glance on October 16, 2026.

Other comparisons