Comparison

Reading List vs Bookshelf.nz

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

Bookshelf.nz

Features
Read full description

Bookshelf turns your phone into the fastest way to catalogue, track, and actually finish the books you own. Scan to Add — Instantly Point your camera at any barcode and Bookshelf identifies the book in under a second using a rich local catalog plus live metadata sources. Scan multiple books back‑to‑back without waiting. Scan to Wishlist Browsing a bookstore but not ready to commit? Switch to Wishlist mode and scan potential reads to compare later — without adding them to your main library. Your Library, Anywhere Your entire collection is cached on your device, so you can browse and search with zero signal. Pull to refresh whenever you’re back online. Track Your Reading Mark books as To Read, Reading, Read, or DNF. Rate titles 1–5 stars, keep private notes, and track your page progress — or listening time for audiobooks. Reading Sessions Start a session before you settle in and Bookshelf automatically pauses its own notifications for true focus. When you’re done, it asks for your current page and logs your time toward your stats. Reviews See what others thought or write your own, complete with star rating and spoiler warning. Wishlist & Shopping List Keep a running list of books you want so it’s ready when you’re actually standing in a bookstore. Mark a title as “Got it!” the moment you buy it. Make It Yours Choose light, dark, or auto to match your system. Set default reading status and ownership type so adding books is one tap, not four. Secure by Default Lock the app with Face ID or Touch ID. Enable optional push notifications only for the things you want to be interrupted for — you’re in control. Bookshelf syncs with your account at bookshelf.nz, so everything you add on your phone is instantly available on the web too.

Screenshots

Reading List4 screens
Bookshelf.nz3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bookshelf.nz at none against Reading List's 10. On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reading List ships an update fortnightly, Bookshelf.nz every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Reading List versus Bookshelf.nz: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReading ListBookshelf.nz
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (30K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews92.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings30K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB43 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAndrew Bennet LtdHayden Searle

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

Bookshelf.nz

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

Bookshelf.nz

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reading List free?
Reading List is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bookshelf.nz free?
Bookshelf.nz is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Reading List or Bookshelf.nz have ads?
Neither Reading List nor Bookshelf.nz shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reading List or Bookshelf.nz?
Reading List ships an update fortnightly, and Bookshelf.nz every 9 days. Most recently, Reading List was updated on November 7, 2026 and Bookshelf.nz on October 31, 2026.

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