# iBOOKLIGHT vs TBR

The clearest difference is rating: TBR at 4.5 against iBOOKLIGHT's 3.5. TBR also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 12 months) and ratings volume (4.4K vs 41). iBOOKLIGHT's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 18.6). 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 TBR sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TBR holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TBR has 4.4K 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 71% of TBR's.

iBOOKLIGHT ships an update every 12 months, TBR weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iBOOKLIGHT | TBR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ibooklight/id301861333/reviews) | **[4.5 (4.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tbr-bookshelf/id1614891654/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 41 | **4.4K** |
| Positive reviews | 46.0% of reviews | **70.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#34** |
| Size | 14 MB | 98 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [jami becker](https://appshunter.io/developer/300634303) | [TBR - Bookshelf, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1559382569) |

## 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


### TBR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tbr-bookshelf/id1614891654)

**Currently charting:** #34 Top Free · Magazines & Newspapers, #97 Top Grossing · Magazines & Newspapers, #122 Top Free · Book, #155 Top Grossing · Book (US App Store)

Easily track books you want to read, are currently reading, or have finished. Rate and review books, log favorite moments, and discover new reads. Set yearly reading goals and celebrate milestones with fun animations.

**Highlights:** Track books (to-read, reading, finished), Rate and review books, Log favorite moments and quotes, Browse public ratings and genre-specific insights, Set custom yearly reading goals, Earn achievement stickers, Pro features: tropes, playlists, adaptations

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Access | $5.99 | per month |
| Pro Access | $29.99 | per 6 months |
| Pro Access | $39.99 | per year |
| 1500 Gems | $2.99 | one-time |
| 4500 Gems | $5.99 | one-time |
| 20,000 Gems | $9.99 | one-time |
| Gift 6 Months | $19.99 | one-time |
| Gift 1 Year of Pro | $29.99 | one-time |
| Gift Lifetime Pro | $119.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Purchase | $179.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Cute and visually appealing
- 📚 Helpful for tracking reading progress
- 🌟 Unique rating system

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔒 No account/sync option to prevent data loss
- 💰 Too many features locked behind paywall
- 🔍 Limited book database, hard to find some titles

**Reported bugs**

- Books disappearing from shelves
- Inability to edit read dates
- Search function not working properly
- Crashing when trying to access certain features

**Requested features**

- Ability to organize books by series
- Option to view other users' reviews and ratings
- Customizable bookshelves and themes
- Sync across multiple devices
- More genre/category options for ratings


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iBOOKLIGHT free?

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

### Is TBR free?

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

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

TBR is rated higher. iBOOKLIGHT averages 3.5 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while TBR averages 4.5 from 4.4K ratings.

### Do iBOOKLIGHT or TBR have ads?

TBR shows ads; iBOOKLIGHT does not.

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

iBOOKLIGHT ships an update every 12 months, and TBR weekly. Most recently, iBOOKLIGHT was updated on October 23, 2026 and TBR on October 27, 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.*