BookPlayer vs BionRead
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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.
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.
- EPUB file import and reading
- Bionic Reading mode activation
- Focus-friendly text formatting
- Reading progress tracking
- Distraction-free interface
Read full descriptionHide 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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | BookPlayer | BionRead |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (20K ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 83.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 20K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #66 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 94 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Gianni Carlo | sihan wu |
Customer experience
BookPlayer
BionRead
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 moreShow fewer
- Siri/Shortcuts integration
BionRead
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BookPlayer
- Support Monthly (1 Month)$1.991 Month
- Support Monthly (1 Month)$2.991 Month
- Support Monthly (1 Month)$3.991 Month
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- 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
- Kind tip$2.99
- Kind Tip$2.99
- Excellent Tip2 variants$4.99
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Incredible Tip2 variants$9.99
BionRead
- Small Tip$0.99
- Medium Tip$2.99
- Large Tip$5.99









