# Beanstack Tracker vs Read

The clearest difference is monetization model: Read at free against Beanstack Tracker's free with in-app purchases. Read also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Beanstack Tracker's advantage is ratings volume (101K vs 2) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Read holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Beanstack Tracker has 101K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Beanstack Tracker | Read |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (101K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beanstack-tracker/id1360324277/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/read-a-thon-student-tracker/id6760209984/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **101K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 66.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 60 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zoobean, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1360324276) | [ForOurSchool.org](https://appshunter.io/developer/1883230007) |

## What reviewers say

### Beanstack Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beanstack-tracker/id1360324277)

This app encourages reading for all ages through engaging challenges and easy progress tracking. It allows family profiles, individual logging, and offers features like barcode scanning and reading timers. It prioritizes user privacy by not selling data or showing ads.

**Highlights:** Motivating reading challenges, Easy reading progress tracking, Barcode scanner for titles, Reading timer and logging, Streaks and badges, Reading recommendations, Friend leaderboards, Reading fundraisers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient for tracking reading
- 🚀 Barcode scanning feature
- 👍 Ability to track multiple readers
- 👍 Motivating with achievements and badges

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent logging and tracking issues
- 🤔 Confusing user interface and navigation
- 🤔 Limited customization and personalization options
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches, especially with timers and syncing
- 🤔 Cumbersome process for logging books and reading

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect logging of reading sessions and progress
- Inability to edit or remove previously logged books
- Compatibility issues on tablets and iPads
- Timezone-related bugs causing lost reading streaks

**Requested features**

- Ability to backdate reading sessions
- Calendar view to easily see monthly reading progress
- Option to log quantity of books read instead of just time
- Personalized book recommendations based on reading history
- Improved syncing and data management across devices


### Read

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/read-a-thon-student-tracker/id6760209984)

This app helps students track their reading time for school Read-A-Thon events. Log sessions with a stopwatch, monitor progress towards goals, and view school leaderboards. Discover fun reading facts to stay motivated.

**Highlights:** Log reading time with stopwatch, Track progress towards reading goals, View school leaderboards, Discover reading facts, Add notes to reading sessions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Beanstack Tracker free?

Beanstack Tracker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Read free?

Read is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Beanstack Tracker or Read?

Read is rated higher. Beanstack Tracker averages 4.8 out of 5 from 101K ratings, while Read averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Beanstack Tracker or Read have ads?

Neither Beanstack Tracker nor Read shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Beanstack Tracker or Read?

Beanstack Tracker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Read every 3 weeks. Most recently, Beanstack Tracker was updated on October 12, 2026 and Read on September 25, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*