# BookPlayer vs BionRead

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 (#63 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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | BookPlayer | BionRead |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (20K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookplayer/id1138219998/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bionread-bionic-fast-reader/id6754270691/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **20K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 82.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#63** | — |
| Size | 94 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gianni Carlo](https://appshunter.io/developer/1138219997) | [sihan wu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1790086406) |

## What reviewers say

### BookPlayer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookplayer/id1138219998)

**Currently charting:** #63 Top Free · Book, #148 Top Grossing · Book (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Siri integration, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Support Monthly (1 Month) | $1.99 | per month |
| Support Monthly (1 Month) | $2.99 | per month |
| Support Monthly (1 Month) | $3.99 | per month |
| Pro Monthly (1 Month) | $4.99 | per month |
| Support Monthly (1 Month) | $6.99 | per month |
| Support Monthly (1 Month) | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly (1 Year) | $49.99 | per year |
| Kind tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Kind Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Excellent Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Incredible Tip | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Bookmark management
- Percentage completion tracking
- Improved multi-file book handling
- Customizable sleep timer
- iCloud/cloud sync between devices


### BionRead

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bionread-bionic-fast-reader/id6754270691)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*