Comparison

BookPlayer vs Canonically

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

Canonically

Features
Read full description

Stop switching between your book, dictionary, and flashcards. Canonically is the reading companion for intermediate and advanced language learners. We remove the friction from reading foreign literature so you can finally enjoy the book. READING, REINVENTED Reading in a foreign language usually means juggling three different apps. With Canonically, everything you need is on the page. Instant Lookup: Tap any word to see its definition and full morphology (cases, conjugations, and gender). Context-Aware Learning: When you learn a word, we save the original sentence it came from. No more isolated vocabulary—learn words in the context you found them. Seamless Flashcards: One tap creates a card. Our smart Spaced Repetition System (FSRS) schedules reviews at the perfect time to ensure you never forget. CURATED LIBRARY Access a growing catalog of public domain masterpieces, optimized for learners: Russian: Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Gogol, Chekhov Spanish: Cervantes, Lazarillo de Tormes, and more French: Flaubert, Hugo, Zola, Maupassant KEY FEATURES Morphology Tables: Don't just see the definition; understand why the word is spelled that way. See full declension and conjugation tables instantly. Smart Scheduling: We use the advanced FSRS algorithm to predict exactly when you're about to forget a word. Zero Setup: No importing lists or managing decks. Just open a book and start reading. SUBSCRIPTION Canonically offers a 7-day free trial. Subscribe to unlock unlimited access to the full library and advanced review features. PRIVACY POLICY: https://www.canonically.app/privacy TERMS OF SERVICE: https://www.canonically.app/terms

Screenshots

BookPlayer4 screens
Canonically4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is chart position: BookPlayer at #51 against Canonically's unranked. Canonically's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 10 days) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). 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 Canonically sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BookPlayer ships an update every 10 days, Canonically every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
BookPlayer versus Canonically: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBookPlayerCanonically
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (20K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews82.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings20K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#51 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB55 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperGianni CarloPETER MICHAEL FRANCE

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

Canonically

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
2 purchases

Canonically

Subscriptions2
  • Premium$0.991 Month
  • Premium$9.991 Year

Questions

Is BookPlayer free?
BookPlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Canonically free?
Canonically is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do BookPlayer or Canonically have ads?
Neither BookPlayer nor Canonically shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BookPlayer or Canonically?
BookPlayer ships an update every 10 days, and Canonically every 5 days. Most recently, BookPlayer was updated on October 15, 2026 and Canonically on October 5, 2026.

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