Comparison

Reading List vs BookBean

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

BookBean

Organize your physical book collection into a beautiful visual library. Discover local bookshops and libraries on a map, track your reading habits, and connect with friends who share your passion for books.

Highlights
  • Visual book scanning and shelf organization
  • Discover local bookshops and libraries
  • Track reading progress and habits
  • Connect with friends and join book clubs
  • Cozy reading sessions with soundscapes
  • Book quests at real-world book places
Read full description

Scan the books on your shelf into a beautiful visual bookcase. Then find your next read at real bookshops, libraries and charity shops near you, build your TBR, and do it all together with friends. BookBean is the reading community for people who love physical books. Not another feed. A shelf you are proud of, a map of real places to find books, and friends who read like you. YOUR SHELF, MADE BEAUTIFUL Scan any book by its barcode and watch it appear on a gorgeous visual shelf, real cover, real spine. Arrange it, theme it, and build the bookcase you have always wanted. Snap a shelfie and share it. TRACK YOUR READING, GENTLY Log your reading with cosy reading sessions and soundscapes. Keep a streak, set a goal, and see the reader you really are with warm, honest insights. No guilt, no noise. A MAP OF REAL BOOK PLACES Discover independent bookshops, libraries and charity shops near you on the map. Check in, complete book quests, and support the real places that keep reading alive. No other reading app has this. READ TOGETHER Add friends, see what they are reading, join book clubs, and share your shelf. Reading is better shared. BUILT FOR REAL READERS Whether you are deep in romantasy, sci-fi and fantasy, literary fiction or crime, BookBean is for people who collect, cherish and actually read physical books. Pro-indie, pro-bookshop, always. BOOKBEAN+ Go deeper with unlimited themed bookcases, premium shelf styling, richer insights and founding-member perks at real venues as they arrive. The core community, map and scanning are always free. Your reading life, gone deeper. The shelf that is truly yours, and real perks at the shops and cafes where you read. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://bookbean.app/privacy

Screenshots

Reading List4 screens
BookBean4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BookBean at none against Reading List's 10. BookBean also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). Reading List's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, monetization model 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. BookBean asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reading List ships an update fortnightly, BookBean every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Reading List versus BookBean: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReading ListBookBean
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (30K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews92.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings30K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB74 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAndrew Bennet LtdBookBean Ltd

Customer experience

Reading List

All ratings30,064 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral2.3%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews621 reviews
Positive92.8%
Neutral3.1%
Negative4.2%

BookBean

Written reviews2 reviews
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

BookBean

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

BookBean

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reading List free?
Reading List is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BookBean free?
BookBean is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Reading List or BookBean have ads?
BookBean shows ads; Reading List does not.
Which is updated more often, Reading List or BookBean?
Reading List ships an update fortnightly, and BookBean every 5 days. Most recently, Reading List was updated on October 24, 2026 and BookBean on October 10, 2026.

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