# Hardcover.app vs Readest

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Readest at 85% against Hardcover.app's 52%. Readest also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 months) and rating (4.5 vs 4.2). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Hardcover.app sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Readest sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Readest holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 60 and 178 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Hardcover.app's written reviews are positive against 85% of Readest's.

Hardcover.app ships an update every 6 months, Readest fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hardcover.app | Readest |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (60 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardcoverapp/id1663379893/reviews) | **[4.5 (178 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/readest-ebook-reader/id6738622779/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 60 | **178** |
| Positive reviews | 52.4% of reviews | **85.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 6 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hardcover LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1663379895) | [Bilingify LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1781524090) |

## What reviewers say

### Hardcover.app

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardcoverapp/id1663379893)

This app helps you organize and discover books. Track what you've read, create custom lists, and see what friends are reading. Set reading goals and share your thoughts on books.

**Highlights:** Track read and to-read books, Organize with lists and tags, See friends' reading activity, Discover trending books, Rate and review books, Set reading goals, Track reading statistics

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Supporter - Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Supporter - Yearly | $49.99 | per year |


### Readest

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/readest-ebook-reader/id6738622779)

This app is a powerful ebook reader designed for deep thinkers and researchers. It offers advanced annotation tools, seamless device syncing, and robust library management with OPDS and Calibre support. Enjoy a distraction-free reading experience with customizable modes and multi-book viewing for enhanced study and analysis.

**Highlights:** OPDS Online Libraries, Calibre Integration, Sync Across Devices, Bookshelf Management, Customizable Reading Modes, Multi-Book View, Advanced Annotations & Highlights

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Subscribe to Plus Plan | $4.99 | per month |
| Subscribe to Pro Plan | $9.99 | per month |
| 1 GB | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2 GB | $14.99 | one-time |
| 5 GB | $29.99 | one-time |
| 10 GB | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hardcover.app free?

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

### Is Readest free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Hardcover.app or Readest?

Readest is rated higher. Hardcover.app averages 4.2 out of 5 from 60 ratings, while Readest averages 4.5 from 178 ratings.

### Do Hardcover.app or Readest have ads?

Neither Hardcover.app nor Readest shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hardcover.app or Readest?

Hardcover.app ships an update every 6 months, and Readest fortnightly. Most recently, Hardcover.app was updated on September 23, 2026 and Readest on September 22, 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.*