Comparison

Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource vs BU READY

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource

Access and read Elsevier textbooks on your iOS device. Download books for offline study, search your entire library, and add notes and highlights. Sync your progress across devices for a seamless learning experience.

Highlights
  • Download books for offline reading
  • Search entire library
  • Create notes and highlights
  • Sync across devices
  • Pinch to zoom figures
Features
Read full description

Use Elsevier® eBooks to download and access Elsevier textbooks on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Read your books online or offline, search across your full library, and create notes and highlights to help you study. Elsevier eBooks Features: • Download books to your iOS device for easy online or offline reading. • Simple, user-friendly navigation and a clean reading experience. • Search inside your current book or across your full library. • Select text to create notes or highlights from your mobile device. • Tap to open figures, view captions and pinch to zoom. • Sync your bookmarks, last page read and all of your notes and highlights between your iOS device and our desktop or web-based Elsevier eBooks apps. Requirements: • Elsevier eBooks account • Access to one or more Elsevier textbooks • iOS 17+

About

BU READY

Read full description

BU READY is the official safety app of Brandon University. It is the only app that integrates with Brandon University’s safety and security systems. Security Staff has worked to develop a unique app that provides students, faculty and staff with added safety on the Brandon University campus. The app will send you important safety alerts and provide instant access to campus safety resources. BU READY features include: - Emergency Contacts: Contact the correct services for the Brandon University area in case of an emergency or a non-emergency concern - Mobile Bluelight: Send your location to Brandon University security in real-time in case of a crisis - Friend Walk: Send your location to a friend through email or SMS on your device. Once the friend accepts the Friend Walk request, the user picks their destination and their friend tracks their location in real time; they can keep an eye on them to make sure they make it safely to their destination. - Make a Report: Multiple ways to report a safety/security concern directly to Brandon University security. - Virtual WalkHome/Virtual CampusWalk: Allow Campus Security to monitor a user’s walk. If a user feels unsafe when walking on campus, they can request a Virtual WalkHome and a dispatcher on the other end will monitor their journey until they reach their destination. - Safety Toolbox: Enhance your safety with the set of tools provided in one convenient app.       - Notification History: Find previous Push Notifications for this app with the date and time.       - Share Map with your Location: Send your location to a friend by sending them a map of your position.       - I’m OK!: Send your location and a message indicating that “You’re OK” to a recipient of your choosing. - Campus Maps       - Campus Map: Navigate around the Brandon University area.       - Evacuation Map: Find gathering points after an evacuation alarm has been sounded.       - Transit Map: Find transit routes currently in service. - Emergency Plans: Campus emergency documentation that can prepare you for disasters or emergencies. This can be accessed even when users aren’t connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data. - Support Resources: Access support resources in one convenient app to enjoy a successful experience at Brandon University. - Safety Notifications: Receive instant notifications and instructions from Brandon University safety when on-campus emergencies occur. - WorkAlone: Use the app to "check in" with you periodically while working alone or during late hours.  If you don't respond, the app will alert Campus Security. Download today to ensure you’re prepared in the event of an emergency.

Screenshots

Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource4 screens
BU READY4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource at every 3 months against BU READY's every 7 months. BU READY's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource ships an update every 3 months, BU READY every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource versus BU READY: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElsevier eBooks on VitalSourceBU READY
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (9.4K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews16.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings9.4K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size188 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElsevier Inc.Brandon University

Bugs and requests

Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Repeated sentence/paragraph playback
  • Highlighted text disappearing across devices
  • Inability to download or access purchased books

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow handwritten notes and annotations
  • Improve page-turning and scrolling functionality
  • Enhance diagram and image viewing experience
  • Integrate seamless cross-device synchronization
  • Provide more customization options (e.g., font, layout)

BU READY

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource

No in-app purchases

None

BU READY

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource free?
Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BU READY free?
BU READY is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource or BU READY have ads?
Neither Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource nor BU READY shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource or BU READY?
Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource ships an update every 3 months, and BU READY every 7 months. Most recently, Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource was updated on November 11, 2026 and BU READY on November 5, 2026.

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