Narrator vs plappa
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Narrator
Transform your e-books and documents into natural-sounding audiobooks. Listen hands-free while on the go or convert files into compact audio formats. Supports multiple languages, voices, and document types.
- Listen to ePub, PDF, and text files
- Convert documents to audio files
- Multiple languages and voices
- Supports ePub, txt, rtf, docx, pdf
- Share created audiobooks
- Hands-free listening
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Narrator can read ePub books, PDF and text files with natural sounding voices. Upload your e-books and listen while walking, driving or just when you want your eyes to rest. Alternatively, you can convert your e-book to a compact audio file in a few minutes. Feature list: - Listen to books and text files - Choose between many languages and voices - Supported formats: ePub, txt, rtf, docx, pdf - Convert e-book to .m4a audio file - Share created audiobooks with friends & colleagues Value your time: Listen to books while walking to save your time or make walk more enjoyable. Listen while reading for better memorization. Notes: Narrator includes an optional premium subscription. This is offered on a monthly or annual basis. If you choose to purchase a subscription your payment will be charged to your iTunes account. Subscriptions will automatically renew unless canceled within 24-hours before the end of the current period. You can turn off auto-renewal at any time by going to your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://telegra.ph/Privacy-Policy-05-31-17
plappa
This app is a client for self-hosted media servers like Jellyfin and AudioBookShelf, designed specifically for playing audiobooks. It supports common audio formats, reads metadata, and allows for offline listening with optional in-app purchases for advanced features.
- Jellyfin, Emby, AudioBookShelf client
- Supports common audio formats
- Saves and syncs playback states
- Reads audiobook metadata
- Offline listening (via IAP)
- Podcast and collection support (AudioBookShelf)
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Disclaimer: plappa only works in connection with a Jellyfin or AudioBookShelf media server! plappa is an audiobook player/client for Jellyfin, Emby and AudioBookShelf, the popular self-hosted media server. Features: - Support for most common audio formats - Purpose built for audiobooks - Save and sync playback states via iCloud or your AudioBookShelf server - Reads metadata like author, narrator and others - Download audiobooks and podcast episodes for offline listening* - Support for podcasts, collections and series with AudioBookShelf * plappa allows you to unlock additional features like downloads and customization options through optional in-app purchases: You can choose between a one-time purchase or an auto-renewing subscription (1 month free trial included). The one-time purchase unlocks all current and future updates. With the subscription, all features are available for the duration of your subscription. Both the subscription and one-time purchase can be shared with your family. plappa is licensed under the Apple standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: plappa at 4.7 against Narrator's 4.5. plappa also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 73%) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). 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
Both are free to download. Narrator sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and plappa sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
plappa holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 168 and 331 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Narrator's written reviews are positive against 86% of plappa's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Narrator | plappa |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (168 ratings) | 4.7 (331 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 72.7% of reviews | 86.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 168 | 331 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 159 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mykola Mylashko | Leo Wehrfritz |
Customer experience
Narrator
plappa
Bugs and requests
Narrator
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
plappa
Reported bugs
2 issues- Can't login Audiobookshelf
- Podcasts library not listing all podcasts
Requested features
9 requests- Auto download when start playing book
- Auto delete when finished book
- Option to add multiple servers
- More sorting and filtering options in the library section
- Refresh button for libraries
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- Easy way to change server address without logging out
- Sync the unplayed/unlistened flags with AudiobookShelf
- Shortcut to bookmarks from within the player
- Slider for fine-tuned control of playback speed
In-app purchases
Narrator
- Premium (1 month)$4.991 Month
- Plus (1 Month)$4.991 Month
- Plus (1 Year)7 Days trial$19.991 Year
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- Premium (1 Year)$29.991 Year
- Caffeine Boost tip$1.99
- Taco Support tip$3.99
- Burrito Gratitude tip$6.99
plappa
- Subscription (1 Year)1 Month trial$1.991 Year
- Full Version (Lifetime)$4.99
