Comparison

BookTime vs HamsterBase

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

Head to head
About

BookTime

This app helps paper book readers stay focused and achieve their reading goals. It features a timer that automatically pauses when you switch apps, encouraging uninterrupted reading sessions. Track your progress and build a consistent reading habit.

Highlights
  • Reading timer
  • Goal setting
  • Progress tracking
  • Automatic timer pause
  • iCloud backup
  • Distraction-free interface
Features
Read full description

BookTime is specially created for friends who love to read paper books. It is your quiet reading timing companion. You can use it to urge yourself to complete daily reading and check in, and keep track of your reading situation. A reading timer specially designed for scholars. To be a quiet reader, there are three steps in total: 1. Set goals·Add books 2. Turn your phone horizontally·Start timing(Tap on book cover in iPad)3. Keep reading·Achieve your goals. This App is very pure, no need to log in, no social networking, even if it is a network function, it is only for iCloud backup data. Everything is just for you to return to the most essential reading. When the phone is horizontal, start the timer. Once you pick up the phone to play other apps, the timer will stop automatically. Urge you to concentrate on reading with no distractions.

About

HamsterBase

Read full description

HamsterBase is a tool centered around privacy protection and offline friendliness for use in later reading. The well-designed HamsterBase features the following characteristics: Offline First: It can be used offline without relying on servers.Privacy First: It does not collect any data and prioritizes your privacy.Keyboard First: Almost all features can be easily accessed via keyboard shortcuts.No Data Hijacking: You can store data locally and enjoy seamless API integration with other software.No Subscription Required: It’s free to use during the beta period.Break Device Limitations: Through P2P synchronization, your database can break free from device limitations.Powerful Full-text Search: Unlock the power of comprehensive searches, accessing the full content of every saved webpage. HamsterBase works with all your favorite apps, such as Logseq, Obsidian, Notion, and Siyuan.

Screenshots

BookTime4 screens
HamsterBase3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HamsterBase at Free against BookTime's $0.99. HamsterBase also leads on iOS requirement (12.4 vs 17.0). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

HamsterBase is free to download; BookTime costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BookTime ships an update every 5 weeks, HamsterBase every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
BookTime versus HamsterBase: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBookTimeHamsterBase
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.012.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB119 MB
Age rating4+17+
Developer睿 刘纯洁 林

In-app purchases

None

BookTime

No in-app purchases

None

HamsterBase

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BookTime free?
BookTime costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HamsterBase free?
HamsterBase is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do BookTime or HamsterBase have ads?
Neither BookTime nor HamsterBase shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BookTime or HamsterBase?
BookTime ships an update every 5 weeks, and HamsterBase every 2 months. Most recently, BookTime was updated on October 30, 2026 and HamsterBase on October 30, 2026.

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