BookPlayer vs RunningBook
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.
RunningBook
Listen to your audiobooks directly from your Apple Watch, even without your phone. Perfect for workouts or commutes, this app lets you enjoy your favorite stories on the go.
- Listen to audiobooks on Apple Watch
- Phone-free playback
- Load audiobooks directly
- Ideal for running and workouts
Read full descriptionHide full description
Load your audiobook onto Apple Watch, leave your phone behind, and listen directly from your watch while you run.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RunningBook at none against BookPlayer's 15. RunningBook also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). BookPlayer's advantage is ratings volume (20K vs 2) and chart position (#65 vs unranked). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. RunningBook asks for nothing beyond the download.
RunningBook 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 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | BookPlayer | RunningBook |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (20K ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 82.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 20K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #65 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 94 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Gianni Carlo | Arseniy Akopyan |
Customer experience
BookPlayer
RunningBook
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
RunningBook
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
RunningBook
No in-app purchases
