BookPlayer vs Simple Reader
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
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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.
Simple Reader
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Make time to listen. Simple Reader is a focused audio player for the files you already own. Import audiobooks, lectures, recordings, and other audio from Files, then keep your place with simple playback controls and bookmarks. YOUR AUDIO, READY OFFLINE Import supported audio files into your private library and listen without an app account or internet connection. KEEP YOUR PLACE Save manual bookmarks, automatically bookmark when you pause, and resume from your furthest saved place. Choose a short rewind before a bookmark to ease back into your listening. LISTEN YOUR WAY Adjust playback speed from 0.5× to 2×, skip forward or back 10 seconds, and continue listening in the background with Lock Screen and Control Center controls. OPTIONAL BOOKMARK SYNC Connect Google Drive or iCloud to sync bookmark and progress metadata between compatible devices. Your audio files and file names stay on your device. Import the same audio file on each device to match its bookmarks. Simple Reader has no ads or subscriptions. Audio content is supplied by you. Optional cloud sync requires a Google or iCloud account.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Simple Reader at none against BookPlayer's 15. Simple Reader also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). BookPlayer's advantage is chart position (#63 vs unranked). On price, ads 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. Simple Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | BookPlayer | Simple Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (20K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 82.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 20K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | #63 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 81 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Gianni Carlo | Casey Mondoux |
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
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- Siri/Shortcuts integration
Simple Reader
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
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- 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
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- Incredible Tip2 variants$9.99
Simple Reader
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is BookPlayer free?
Is Simple Reader free?
Do BookPlayer or Simple Reader have ads?
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