Comparison

Hardcover.app vs Bookshelf

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

Head to head
About

Hardcover.app

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
Read full description

Hardcover is a book tracking app with a social side, built for readers, not algorithms. Add books you’ve read or want to read. Keep your library tidy with lists and tags. See what your friends are reading, explore trending picks, and discover hidden gems through curated lists. Rate, review, and share your thoughts. Make your profile public, private, or friends-only—your reading, your rules. Set goals, track your stats, and find your reading rhythm. We use Apple's standard Terms of Service (EULA). https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Bookshelf

Features
Read full description

Bookshelf is the ultimate companion app for your XTEINK X4 & X3 e-reader. Sync your reading progress wirelessly via WiFi and never lose track of where you left off. SEAMLESS WIFI SYNC Connect to your XTEINK X4 & X3 e-reader over WiFi and automatically sync your entire library, current book, and reading progress. Works with both the original XTEINK firmware (from XT 3.1.1 to 5.X) and Crosspoint/CrossInk Reader (from 0.16 to 1.3 and more). No cables needed, just tap and sync. STUNNING HOME AND LOCK SCREEN WIDGETS Track your reading progress without even opening the app. Add beautiful widgets to your home screen showing your current book, cover art, and how far you've read. Multiple sizes available for iPhone and iPad. SHARE YOUR READING JOURNEY Finished a great chapter? Share your progress with friends on social media using beautifully designed cards that showcase your current read. BOOKSHELF PREMIUM Take your reading experience to the next level: • Unlimited book synchronization - sync your entire library • Custom widget themes - personalize colors, fonts, and styles • Social sharing cards - create stunning progress updates for Instagram, Twitter, and more Whether you're a casual reader or a bookworm tracking dozens of titles, Bookshelf makes it easy to stay on top of your reading goals. Download Bookshelf today and transform how you track your reading! Subscriptions Bookshelf offers auto-renewable subscriptions to unlock premium features. Purchase options: Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase Subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store account settings Lifetime Purchase: Bookshelf may offer a non-consumable Lifetime purchase. This is a one-time payment that unlocks the Premium features available in the purchased version and subsequent compatible updates for as long as the application remains available and supported. Lifetime purchases do not renew automatically and can be restored using the Apple ID used for the original purchase. Privacy Policy: https://bookshelfprogress.netlify.app/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Hardcover.app4 screens
Bookshelf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Bookshelf at monthly against Hardcover.app's every 6 months. Hardcover.app's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, 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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hardcover.app ships an update every 6 months, Bookshelf monthly. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Hardcover.app versus Bookshelf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHardcover.appBookshelf
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (60 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.4% of reviews
Number of ratings60 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB45 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperHardcover LLCJorge Marco

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Hardcover.app

Subscriptions2
  • Supporter - Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Supporter - Yearly$49.991 Year
2 purchases

Bookshelf

Subscriptions2
  • Bookshelf Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Bookshelf Yearly$34.991 Year

Questions

Is Hardcover.app free?
Hardcover.app is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bookshelf free?
Bookshelf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Hardcover.app or Bookshelf have ads?
Neither Hardcover.app nor Bookshelf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hardcover.app or Bookshelf?
Hardcover.app ships an update every 6 months, and Bookshelf monthly. Most recently, Hardcover.app was updated on September 23, 2026 and Bookshelf on September 23, 2026.

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