Reading List vs Aestu
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
Reading List
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Reading List is a simple tool for saving article links to read later. Features: - Save links to inbox for later reading - Share webpages from anywhere - Archive / Star articles, keep the inbox clean - iCloud sync - Supports iPhone, iPad, iPad Touch, and Mac - iPad OS drag & drop, split view - Dark mode - Use Shortcuts to add the article
Aestu
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Stop counting seconds. Start seeing time. Aestu is a visual focus timer that turns time into a calm, fluid shape. Instead of watching numbers tick down, you can understand your session at a glance and stay focused without the pressure of a conventional countdown. DESIGNED FOR THE WAY YOUR MIND WORKS - Visual time: See time gently empty and refill instead of doing mental math. - Positive Overtime: When a session ends, Aestu keeps counting up without a jarring failure state. - ADHD-friendly focus: Reduce time-blindness friction with a clear, low-pressure visual cue. - Pomodoro and deep work: Choose a preset or create a session that fits your own rhythm. - Energy check-ins: Log how you feel and learn which times of day work best for you. FOCUS EVERYWHERE Start on iPhone, check a Live Activity or widget, continue from Apple Watch, and keep an eye on your session from Mac. iCloud keeps your focus sessions in sync across your Apple devices. CALM BY DESIGN Fluid animation, semantic colors and gentle haptics provide awareness without a ticking clock or harsh alarm. Your history helps you notice patterns without turning productivity into a scorecard. PRIVATE BY DEFAULT No account and no behavioral advertising. Your focus data remains on your devices and in your personal iCloud. Whether you are studying, working, managing ADHD time blindness or entering a deep-work session, Aestu helps make time visible and easier to follow. Download Aestu and turn time into something you can feel.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Aestu at Free against Reading List's $1.99. Aestu also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). Reading List's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Aestu is free to download; Reading List costs $1.99 up front. Aestu sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Reading List asks for nothing beyond the download.
Reading List ships an update every 4 months, Aestu every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Reading List | Aestu |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free โ better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 5 weeks โ better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No โ better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 โ better | 18.6 |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ๆๆถ ็ | Giuseppe Pignataro |
In-app purchases
Reading List
No in-app purchases
Aestu
- Aestu Lifetime$1.99









