Comparison

BookPlayer vs BionRead

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

BionRead

Enhance reading comprehension and speed with a unique text formatting method. This EPUB reader helps users stay focused and retain information better, especially beneficial for those with attention difficulties.

Highlights
  • EPUB file import and reading
  • Bionic Reading mode activation
  • Focus-friendly text formatting
  • Reading progress tracking
  • Distraction-free interface
Features
Read full description

This EPUB-only reading app uses Bionic Reading to help you stay engaged, read faster, and better retain what you read. Whether you’re studying, researching, or just trying to focus, this tool enhances how you process text. Especially helpful for users with ADHD or attention difficulties. Features – Import and read EPUB files (only) – Tap to enable Bionic Reading mode – Focus-friendly text formatting – Track reading progress – Minimal interface, distraction-free experience Note: This app only supports .epub files.

Screenshots

BookPlayer4 screens
BionRead4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: BookPlayer at every 10 days against BionRead's every 7 months. BookPlayer also leads on ratings volume (20K vs 1) and chart position (#66 vs unranked). BionRead's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. BookPlayer sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and BionRead sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BionRead holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BookPlayer has 20K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BookPlayer ships an update every 10 days, BionRead every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
BookPlayer versus BionRead: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBookPlayerBionRead
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (20K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings20K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#66 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGianni Carlosihan wu

Customer experience

BookPlayer

All ratings19,501 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral1.3%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews1,253 reviews
Positive83.4%
Neutral4.8%
Negative11.8%

BionRead

All ratings1 ratings
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

BionRead

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
3 purchases

BionRead

One-time3
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$2.99
  • Large Tip$5.99

Questions

Is BookPlayer free?
BookPlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BionRead free?
BionRead is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BookPlayer or BionRead?
BionRead is rated higher. BookPlayer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 20K ratings, while BionRead averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do BookPlayer or BionRead have ads?
Neither BookPlayer nor BionRead shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BookPlayer or BionRead?
BookPlayer ships an update every 10 days, and BionRead every 7 months. Most recently, BookPlayer was updated on October 11, 2026 and BionRead on October 2, 2026.

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