Comparison

Reading List vs Read

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

Head to head
About

Reading List

Organize your reading journey by tracking books you've read, are currently reading, or want to read. Log progress, add custom lists, and record notes and ratings. Sync data across devices and export your library.

Highlights
  • Scan barcodes to add books
  • Search online for books
  • Manual book entry
  • Track reading progress (start/finish dates)
  • Create custom book lists
  • Add ratings and notes
  • View reading statistics
  • iCloud data sync
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Easily track books you’ve read, books you’re reading, and books you want to read. Record your progress by adding the start and finish date of your books. ADD NEW BOOKS • Scan the barcode of a book to quickly add it to your list • Search online to find and add books • Alternatively, add a book manually by typing in its details • Sync your data between all devices via iCloud TRACK YOUR READING • Quickly log the dates you start and finish each book with a tap or swipe • Order the books, to help plan what to read next • Create your own custom lists, like "Wishlist", "Favourites", etc • Record the current page of books you're reading • Add your own rating and notes to each book • View your reading statistics PRIVATE & PERSONAL • No online account or signup needed • All data is private, stored on-device or in your iCloud account • Export and import all your data Some premium features require Reading List Pro, which can be purchased in the app. The app remains fully-featured when used without Reading List Pro. Terms of Use: https://readinglist.app/termsofservice Privacy Policy: https://readinglist.app/privacypolicy

About

Read

This app helps you build better reading habits with a clean and simple interface. Track your progress, organize your library, and add notes to rediscover the joy of reading.

Highlights
  • Organize library by status
  • Track current page and progress
  • Automatic timeline entries
  • Add notes and highlights
  • Visualize progress over time
  • Search and sort collection
  • Minimalist UI
Features
Read full description

Read-Rack is a lightweight, beautifully simple reading tracker built to help you reconnect with books—without the clutter. Whether you’re picking up reading again or just want a clean way to track your progress, Read-Rack gives you exactly what you need—nothing more, nothing less. Key Features: • Organize your library by status: Want to Read, Reading, or Finished • Track your current page and see your progress visually • Automatic timeline entries for meaningful insights over time • Add notes and highlights as you read • See your progress charted over time, book by book • Easily search your collection and sort by reading status • Minimalist UI, inspired by Apple Books • Warm color palette and smooth animations • Built to help you read more, not tap more No ads, no distractions—just a focused tool to support your reading life.

Screenshots

Reading List4 screens
Read4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Read at none against Reading List's 10. Read also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). Reading List's advantage is ratings volume (30K vs 1) and chart position (#171 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Reading List sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.00 per month. Read asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Read holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Reading List has 30K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reading List ships an update fortnightly, Read every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Reading List versus Read: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReading ListRead
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (30K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews92.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings30K — better1
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#171 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew Bennet LtdRohan Bhavesh Patel

Customer experience

Reading List

All ratings30,064 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral2.3%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews617 reviews
Positive92.9%
Neutral3.1%
Negative4.1%

Read

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Reading List

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Issues with date/time tracking when adding books
  • Occasional crashes or data loss when using the app

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to track re-reads and 'on hold' books
  • Improve sorting/organizing options for large collections
  • Add support for audiobooks and reading time tracking
  • Implement cloud sync and account features to preserve data
  • Add more customization options for lists and book display

Read

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Reading List

Subscriptions4
  • Reading List Pro (Monthly)$2.001 Month
  • Reading List Pro (Monthly)$3.991 Month
  • Reading List Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$14.001 Year
Show 1 more
  • Reading List Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time6
  • Small Tip$1.00
  • Medium Tip$2.00
  • Large Tip$3.00
Show 3 more
  • Very Large Tip$5.00
  • Giant Tip$10.00
  • Reading List Pro (Lifetime)$38.00
None

Read

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reading List free?
Reading List is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Read free?
Read is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Reading List or Read?
Read is rated higher. Reading List averages 4.8 out of 5 from 30K ratings, while Read averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Reading List or Read have ads?
Neither Reading List nor Read shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reading List or Read?
Reading List ships an update fortnightly, and Read every 5 days. Most recently, Reading List was updated on October 19, 2026 and Read on October 11, 2026.

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