# iBOOKLIGHT vs Bookly

The clearest difference is rating: Bookly at 4.6 against iBOOKLIGHT's 3.5. Bookly also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 46%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 12 months). iBOOKLIGHT's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. iBOOKLIGHT sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Bookly sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Bookly holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bookly has 61K ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of iBOOKLIGHT's written reviews are positive against 84% of Bookly's.

iBOOKLIGHT ships an update every 12 months, Bookly monthly. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iBOOKLIGHT | Bookly |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ibooklight/id301861333/reviews) | **[4.6 (61K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookly-book-tracker/id1085047737/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 41 | **61K** |
| Positive reviews | 46.0% of reviews | **83.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#56** |
| Size | 14 MB | 510 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [jami becker](https://appshunter.io/developer/300634303) | [TwoDoor Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/863075057) |

## What reviewers say

### iBOOKLIGHT

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ibooklight/id301861333)

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a convenient book light for nighttime reading. This app offers a simple, clean interface to illuminate your pages without disturbing others. Position it upright or on a pillow for a fuss-free reading experience.

**Highlights:** Turns device into a book light, Simple and clean interface, Adjustable positioning, Stays on indefinitely, No fussy controls

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Logo on Light Screen | $0.99 | one-time |
| Change light screen color hue | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Simple and straightforward design
- 📖 Perfect for bedtime reading without disturbing others
- 🔆 Adjustable brightness for comfortable reading
- ⏱️ Stays on indefinitely when configured properly
- 🆓 Free app with no mandatory payments

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Screen turns off after 30 seconds to a few minutes without proper settings
- 📱 Just adjusts phone brightness - limited functionality
- 💰 In-app purchases for hue changes that don't work properly
- 📢 Intrusive ads that pop up frequently
- 🔊 Ads with sound can wake sleeping partners

**Reported bugs**

- Screen goes dark after 30 seconds despite claims of indefinite operation
- In-app hue purchase feature non-functional
- Page number saves don't persist after closing app
- Settings button does nothing or is non-functional
- Brightness changes affect phone's system brightness permanently

**Requested features**

- Built-in brightness adjustment within app without phone settings
- Auto-lock settings integrated into app
- Multiple color/hue options that actually work
- Clear in-app instructions for first-time users
- Dark mode or warmer light options for eye comfort


### Bookly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookly-book-tracker/id1085047737)

**Currently charting:** #56 Top Grossing · Book, #91 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

This app helps you track your reading habits in real-time, manage your library, and set reading goals. It offers detailed statistics, custom ratings, and ambient sounds to enhance your reading experience and build a consistent reading habit.

**Highlights:** Real-time reading timer, Detailed reading statistics, Custom book ratings, Book library management, Reading goals and reminders, Character tracking, Readathon tracking

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Pro | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly Pro Family Plan | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly Plan | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly Pro 50% OFF | $14.99 | per year |
| Six Months of Pro | $19.99 | per 6 months |
| Yearly Pro 30% OFF | $19.99 | per year |
| Yearly Pro | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly Pro (50% OFF 1st year trial) | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly Pro 20% OFF | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Pro Family Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| 10 extra reading days | $0.99 | one-time |
| A handful of Diamonds | $0.99 | one-time |
| A big bag of Diamonds | $2.99 | one-time |
| A chest of Diamonds | $5.99 | one-time |
| Bookly Pro | $79.99 | one-time |
| Bookly Pro Lifetime | $149.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful for tracking reading progress
- 🚀 Motivates users to read more
- 📊 Provides detailed reading statistics
- 💡 Allows adding quotes, thoughts, and new words
- 👍 User-friendly interface and design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Paywall for many features
- 🔒 Limited functionality in free version
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Difficulty finding/adding some books
- 🔢 Limit on number of books that can be added

**Reported bugs**

- Reading sessions not always accurately recorded
- Inconsistencies in page count/progress tracking
- Syncing issues between devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to delete/edit books
- Option to track audiobook progress
- Sync reading progress across devices
- More customization options
- Integration with other reading apps


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iBOOKLIGHT free?

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

### Is Bookly free?

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

### Which has better reviews, iBOOKLIGHT or Bookly?

Bookly is rated higher. iBOOKLIGHT averages 3.5 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Bookly averages 4.6 from 61K ratings.

### Do iBOOKLIGHT or Bookly have ads?

Bookly shows ads; iBOOKLIGHT does not.

### Which is updated more often, iBOOKLIGHT or Bookly?

iBOOKLIGHT ships an update every 12 months, and Bookly monthly. Most recently, iBOOKLIGHT was updated on June 11, 2026 and Bookly on September 30, 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.*