Comparison

Reading List vs Reading Timer

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
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

Reading Timer

Track your reading time and pages with a quick timer. Organize your personal library, view detailed reading statistics, and stay motivated with a visual reading heatmap.

Highlights
  • Quick reading timer
  • Page tracking
  • Personal library management
  • Reading statistics and reports
  • Reading heatmap for streaks
  • Track reading pace
Features
Read full description

[Key Features] 1. Quick reading timer & time tracking - Start with one tap to measure reading time and record pages read, then instantly see your reading pace (pages/min). Keep every minute accurately logged. 2. Your personal library & book tracker - Manage books you’ve read, are reading, and have finished with a simple book tracker. Fill your digital library and enjoy reading more. 3. At-a-glance reading stats & reports - Explore total reading time, daily average, monthly trends, and more with clean reading reports. Great for time management, self-improvement, and goal achievement. 4. Motivating reading heatmap (streaks) - Your daily reading log grows into a beautiful reading heatmap. Watch your streaks flourish, feel your progress, and stay motivated for your next reading challenge. OPTIONAL PRO SUBSCRIPTION Reading Timer Pro is a 1-month auto-renewable subscription. It removes all banner, native, interstitial, and rewarded ads while the subscription is active. The price is shown before purchase and may vary by storefront. You can manage or cancel the subscription in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://hydroponicglass.com/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

Reading List4 screens
Reading Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Reading List at none against Reading Timer's shown. Reading List also leads on ratings volume (30K vs 13). Reading Timer's advantage is monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 and Reading Timer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Reading List against 4.8 for Reading Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Reading List has 30K ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of Reading List's written reviews are positive against 88% of Reading Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reading List ships an update fortnightly, Reading Timer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Reading List versus Reading Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReading ListReading Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (30K ratings)4.8 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews93.1% of reviews — better87.5% of reviews
Number of ratings30K — better13
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB79 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew Bennet LtdSeulki Eom

Customer experience

Reading List

All ratings29,868 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral2.4%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews606 reviews
Positive93.1%
Neutral3.1%
Negative3.8%

Reading Timer

All ratings13 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

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

Reading Timer

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
1 purchases

Reading Timer

Subscriptions1
  • Reading Timer Pro$1.991 Month

Questions

Is Reading List free?
Reading List is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reading Timer free?
Reading Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Reading List or Reading Timer?
Reading List and Reading Timer are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 30K and 13 ratings respectively.
Do Reading List or Reading Timer have ads?
Reading Timer shows ads; Reading List does not.
Which is updated more often, Reading List or Reading Timer?
Reading List ships an update fortnightly, and Reading Timer every 2 weeks. Most recently, Reading List was updated on September 24, 2026 and Reading Timer on September 20, 2026.

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