Comparison

Build A Reader vs Readcord

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

Head to head
About

Build A Reader

Read full description

The Build A Reader app from Tulsa City-County Library is a free tool that can help parents develop early literacy skills in children from birth to pre-K in order to grow and sustain a love of reading. The app offers short, bite-sized videos led by professional library staff demonstrating songs, finger plays, and great book recommendations in thematic categories such as Animals and Feelings to prepare young children for a lifetime of reading joy. Plus, when you can’t make it to the library for story time, you can still get a story time… in your pocket!

About

Readcord

Create personalized audio-visual children's books by uploading images and recording audio for each page. Build your own digital library or purchase books from the in-app store. Access your audiobook library across multiple devices.

Highlights
  • Create custom audio-visual books
  • Record audio for each page
  • Upload images from device
  • In-app bookstore
  • Cross-device library access
  • Light and dark mode
Features
Read full description

Build your own audio-visual, electronic children's book library! Readcord is a digital book library that allows users to create their own digital books by uploading images from their device's photo library or camera. You can also purchase original books from our in-app bookstore! Additionally, Readcord gives users the ability to record and save high-quality audio to each page of their digital book. These audio recordings can then be played back via the device's speakers, and users may access their complete audiobook library on multiple devices at the same time. Swipe through your library of customized Readcord books and listen to your saved audio files days, weeks, or even years down the line! Readcord is the perfect time capsule tool for kids, parents, grandparents, and the rest of the family! Features: • Designed for iPhone, iPad, and Mac • Light and dark mode compatible Subscription tiers: • Starter - Max library size of 50 books • Explorer - Max library size of 100 books • Collector - Max library size of 200 books • Librarian - Max library size of 500 books All tiers available for monthly or annual subscription. Learn more about our terms of use at https://www.readcord.com/terms/terms Learn more about our privacy policy at https://www.readcord.com/terms/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Build A Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Build A Reader at none against Readcord's 24. Build A Reader also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). Readcord's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 14 months). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. Readcord sells 24 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Build A Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Build A Reader ships an update every 14 months, Readcord every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Build A Reader versus Readcord: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuild A ReaderReadcord
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—8 — better
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size204 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTulsa City-County LibrarySantol Studios

In-app purchases

None

Build A Reader

No in-app purchases

24 purchases

Readcord

Subscriptions8
  • Starter$4.991 Month
  • Explorer$6.991 Month
  • Collector$9.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Librarian$19.991 Month
  • Starter$49.991 Year
  • Explorer$69.991 Year
  • Collector$99.991 Year
  • Librarian$199.991 Year
One-time16
  • 50 Page Readcord Book - Blank$0.99
  • Book Sale$1.99
  • 125 Page Readcord Book - Blank$1.99
Show 13 more
  • 250 Page Readcord Book - Blank$2.99
  • Book Sale$3.99
  • 400 Page Readcord Book - Blank$3.99
  • 500 Page Readcord Book - Blank$4.99
  • Book Sale$7.99
  • Book Sale$8.99
  • Book Sale$9.99
  • Book Sale$11.99
  • Book Sale$13.99
  • Book Sale$14.99
  • Book Sale$15.99
  • Book Sale$18.99
  • Book Sale$19.99

Questions

Is Build A Reader free?
Build A Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Readcord free?
Readcord is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Build A Reader or Readcord have ads?
Neither Build A Reader nor Readcord shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Build A Reader or Readcord?
Build A Reader ships an update every 14 months, and Readcord every 2 weeks. Most recently, Build A Reader was updated on October 1, 2026 and Readcord on September 19, 2026.

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