Comparison

PocketHinman vs Shelvd

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

PocketHinman

This app simulates the functions of a Hinman Collator using image transparency and flickering. It's designed for users who need to compare images side-by-side with advanced visual tools. Developed with support from the University of Virginia.

Highlights
  • Flickering image comparison
  • Image transparency overlay
  • Simulates Hinman Collator functions
  • Designed for iOS devices
Features
Read full description

An iOS app that uses flickering image comparison and image transparency to imitate the functions of a Hinman Collator. Initial software design: James P. Ascher, DeVan Ard, Samuel Lemley Funding from the Institute of the Humanities and Global Culture, University of Virginia, as part of the 2017-18 Public Humanities Lab.

About

Shelvd

Effortlessly log your reading progress by simply taking a photo of any page. This app organizes your library visually, tracks detailed reading statistics, and syncs with Goodreads. It also facilitates book club participation and helps manage your to-read list.

Highlights
  • Photo-based page logging
  • Visual book shelves
  • Goodreads synchronization
  • Import entire reading history
  • Detailed reading statistics
  • Book club features
  • Add books via cover photo
Features
Read full description

Log your reading from a photo, not a keyboard. SHELVD is a book tracker that keeps up with how much you read, and keeps your Goodreads library and friends right where they are. FEATURES • Bookmark: Point your camera at any page or Kindle screen and SHELVD marks your place. It reads the page number and updates your progress in about two seconds. No typing. • Visual shelves: Your library lives as real, browsable shelves with spine art, not a list of rows. • Keep your Goodreads updated (Pro): Track everything in SHELVD and your Goodreads profile stays current on its own. Your progress, ratings, and finished books show up there automatically, so the friends you already have keep seeing what you're reading. No other reading app does this. • Bring your whole library: One upload imports your full Goodreads or StoryGraph history: ratings, read dates, and shelves included. • Reading stats: A heatmap of every day you've read, your reading pace, time-to-finish predictions, genre breakdowns, streaks, and progress toward your reading goals. • Book clubs: Read alongside friends, follow live progress on leaderboards, and share what you're into. Create and run your own clubs on Pro. • Snap a cover: Spot a book you want? Photograph the cover and SHELVD adds it to your want-to-read shelf (your TBR). • Hands-free Kindle tracking (Founders): Connect your Amazon account once and your Kindle reading logs itself, no photos needed. Your reading data stays yours. SHELVD never sells or shares your information with third parties. Terms of Use (EULA): https://shelvd.io/legal/terms Privacy Policy: https://shelvd.io/legal/privacy

Screenshots

PocketHinman1 screens
Shelvd4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PocketHinman at 5.0 against Shelvd's 3.9. PocketHinman also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 7) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Shelvd sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.00 per month. PocketHinman asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PocketHinman holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 11 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PocketHinman versus Shelvd: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocketHinmanShelvd
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better3.9 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews—66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings411 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB43 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperThe University of EdinburghPlatform Thirteen

Customer experience

PocketHinman

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Shelvd

All ratings11 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative27.3%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

PocketHinman

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Shelvd

Subscriptions7
  • Plus (Monthly)1 Month trial$6.001 Month
  • Pro (Monthly)1 Month trial$12.001 Month
  • Full Shelfie (Monthly)$18.001 Month
Show 4 more
  • Plus (Annual)1 Month trial$58.001 Year
  • Pro (Annual)1 Month trial$114.991 Year
  • Full Shelfie (Annual)$172.991 Year
  • Founders (Annual)$299.991 Year

Questions

Is PocketHinman free?
PocketHinman is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shelvd free?
Shelvd is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PocketHinman or Shelvd?
PocketHinman is rated higher. PocketHinman averages 5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Shelvd averages 3.9 from 11 ratings.
Do PocketHinman or Shelvd have ads?
Neither PocketHinman nor Shelvd shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PocketHinman or Shelvd?
PocketHinman ships an update fortnightly, and Shelvd fortnightly. Most recently, PocketHinman was updated on November 2, 2026 and Shelvd on October 31, 2026.

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