# ShortBook² vs Ex

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ex at 100% against ShortBook²'s 40%. Ex also leads on monetization model (free vs subscription) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). ShortBook²'s advantage is ratings volume (13 vs 1) and device support (4 vs 1). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ShortBook² sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year and Ex sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Ex holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShortBook² has 13 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of ShortBook²'s written reviews are positive against 100% of Ex's.

ShortBook² ships an update every 2 months, Ex every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShortBook² | Ex |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortbook/id1499866684/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ex-libris/id6795534325/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **13** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 39.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Size | 67 MB | 23 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jury Shortki](https://appshunter.io/developer/295094305) | [Lunabee Studio](https://appshunter.io/developer/991749261) |

## What reviewers say

### ShortBook²

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortbook/id1499866684)

This reader app offers a unique approach to text display on smaller screens, optimizing comfort and reducing eye strain. It allows extensive customization of text layout and includes decorative elements to enhance the reading experience. Supports FB2 format and provides reading statistics.

**Highlights:** Optimized text layout for small screens, Customizable text placement options, Decorative elements for atmosphere, FB2 format support (contents, footnotes, figures), Rich settings with dozens of parameters, Reading statistics and monitoring, Quick restart after breaks

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual | $9.99 | per year |


### Ex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ex-libris/id6795534325)

Catalog your personal book collection, track where each book is, and manage loans to friends. Organize your physical library with smart shelving suggestions and a community feature to see what friends are lending.

**Highlights:** Scan and catalog books, Organize books by custom shelves, AI-powered shelf arrangement suggestions, Track book loans and returns, Community feature to see friends' shelves, Create custom book lists

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A coffee | $2.99 | one-time |
| A paperback | $3.99 | one-time |
| A hardcover | $8.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShortBook² free?

ShortBook² is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Ex free?

Ex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ShortBook² or Ex?

Ex is rated higher. ShortBook² averages 4.6 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Ex averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do ShortBook² or Ex have ads?

Neither ShortBook² nor Ex shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ShortBook² or Ex?

ShortBook² ships an update every 2 months, and Ex every 4 days. Most recently, ShortBook² was updated on November 7, 2026 and Ex on November 10, 2026.

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