Comparison

Reading List vs ShelfHead

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

ShelfHead

Features
Read full description

ShelfHead is a streamlined player for your self-hosted Audiobookshelf server. It connects straight to the server you run: no ShelfHead account, no middlemen, no ads. Built for people who just want to listen. A clean, focused interface, fast browsing, and playback that remembers exactly where you left off on every device you own. YOUR SERVER, YOUR WAY • Sign in with username and password or SSO (OpenID Connect) • Works behind Cloudflare Access, Authelia and other reverse proxies via custom HTTP headers • Progress, bookmarks and finished status sync back to your server, and a clear prompt appears if two devices disagree LISTEN ANYWHERE • A Downloads tab with cover art, progress, length and size, swipe to play, and Download Health to verify and repair files • Download a single title or a whole series; everything works offline and syncs when you reconnect • CarPlay with series, authors, genres, bookmarks and chapters, an alphabet index for big libraries, and Continue Listening always first • Apple Watch that works with your iPhone nearby or entirely on its own, with its own downloads • Lock-screen, widget and Control Center controls; Siri, Shortcuts, Spotlight and Handoff A PLAYER THAT FITS • Variable speed with per-book defaults, volume boost, and bass/treble tone control • Chapter navigation, bookmarks, and sleep timers by duration, end of chapter or a nightly schedule • Listening Profiles for Driving, Sleep and Work; Driving can switch on automatically in CarPlay • An Up Next queue that skips finished books and adds the next in a series A LIBRARY THAT UNDERSTANDS YOU • Browse books, series, authors, narrators, collections and playlists, with search everywhere • Smart filters: Nearly Finished, No Progress in 30 Days, Unplayed in a Started Series, Downloaded but Not Finished, and more • Follow narrators and authors, play podcast episodes, and read ebooks and PDFs with your PDF position synced back to the server • Listening stats, streaks, a swipeable Year in Review, and shareable images colour-matched to the cover Also: optional Face ID or passcode lock, playback history with one-tap undo, full VoiceOver and Dynamic Type support, and a native design with a touch of cassette-deck character. ShelfHead requires an existing Audiobookshelf server (audiobookshelf.org). It plays the library you already host and includes no content of its own. No analytics, no tracking, no advertising: it talks only to the server you configure.

Screenshots

Reading List4 screens
ShelfHead4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ShelfHead at none against Reading List's 10. ShelfHead also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). 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. ShelfHead asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reading List ships an update fortnightly, ShelfHead every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Reading List versus ShelfHead: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReading ListShelfHead
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (30K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews92.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings30K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew Bennet LtdJustin Rahme

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

ShelfHead

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

ShelfHead

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reading List free?
Reading List is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ShelfHead free?
ShelfHead is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Reading List or ShelfHead have ads?
Neither Reading List nor ShelfHead shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reading List or ShelfHead?
Reading List ships an update fortnightly, and ShelfHead every 4 days. Most recently, Reading List was updated on October 18, 2026 and ShelfHead on October 4, 2026.

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