# RYA Books vs CloudLibrary

The clearest difference is rating: CloudLibrary at 4.8 against RYA Books's 2.5. CloudLibrary also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 38) and review sentiment (57% vs 27%). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. RYA Books sells 37 one-off in-app purchases. CloudLibrary asks for nothing beyond the download.

CloudLibrary holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CloudLibrary has 262K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of RYA Books's written reviews are positive against 57% of CloudLibrary's.

RYA Books ships an update every 3 months, CloudLibrary every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RYA Books | CloudLibrary |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rya-books/id451481707/reviews) | **[4.8 (262K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloudlibrary/id466446054/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **262K** |
| Positive reviews | 27.0% of reviews | **56.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#33** |
| Size | 110 MB | 164 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Royal Yachting Association](https://appshunter.io/developer/709375005) | [OCLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/438286724) |

## What reviewers say

### RYA Books

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rya-books/id451481707)

Explore enhanced digital books with interactive features like animations, videos, and tools. Try free tasters before purchasing full editions, supporting RYA training courses for various boating levels. Optimized for tablets and smartphones.

**Highlights:** Interactive eBooks, Embedded animations and videos, 360° tools for navigation and regulations, Animated examples for VHF procedures, Tidal curve simulation tool, Bookmarking and note-taking, Free taster versions

**In-app purchases (37)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Guide to Boating Knots (E-G60) | $3.99 | one-time |
| First Aid (E-FAB) | $6.99 | one-time |
| Instructor Handbook (E-G27) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Handy Guide to CEVNI (E-G106) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Intro to Radar (E-G34) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Euro Waterways Regs (E-G17) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Training Almanac North (E-TAN) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Stability and Buoyancy (E-G23) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Yachtmaster Quizzes (E-G79) | $11.99 | one-time |
| ICC Handbook (E-G81) | $12.99 | one-time |
| Racing Rules of Sailing ERRS25 | $12.99 | one-time |
| Day Skipper Practical(E-DSPCN) | $12.99 | one-time |
| Day Skipper Shorebased (E-DSN) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Yachtmaster Shorebased (E-YSN) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Comp Crew Skills (E-CCPCN) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Collision Regulations (E-G2) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Intro to Navigation (E-G77) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Astro Navigation Handbook (E-G78) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Day Skipper Shorebased(E-G113) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Start to Race (E-G66) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Passage Planning (E-G69) | $17.99 | one-time |
| Dinghy Techniques (E-G93) | $17.99 | one-time |
| Boat Safety Handbook (E-G103) | $17.99 | one-time |
| Day Skipper – Motor (E-G97) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Advanced Powerboat (E-G108) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Diesel Engine (E-G25) | $19.99 | one-time |
| VHF Handbook (E-G31) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Yachtmaster Handbook (E-G70) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Navigation Handbook (E-G6) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Day Skipper Sail (E-G71) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Multihull Handbook (E-G92) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Offshore Sailing (E-G87) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Sail Trim Handbook (E-G99) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Boat Handling Sail Power E-G68 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Electrics Handbook (E-G67) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Weather Handbook (E-G133) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Manual of Seamanship (E-G36) | $22.99 | one-time |


### CloudLibrary

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloudlibrary/id466446054)

**Currently charting:** #33 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

Manage your library account and discover new content. Borrow physical items, access eBooks and audiobooks, and receive helpful reminders. Personalize your reading experience and stay organized with this intuitive library companion.

**Highlights:** Borrow physical and digital items, Access eBooks and Audiobooks, Manage multiple library accounts, Receive due-date reminders, Discover library events, Personalize reading experience

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient access to library books
- 🚀 Wide selection of books
- 👍 Great resource during the pandemic
- 👍 Ability to read/listen on multiple devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Unreliable page/progress tracking
- 🐛 Inconsistent user experience
- 🐛 Slow performance and loading times
- 🐛 Confusing navigation and interface

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to open/download books
- Losing place in books when reopening app
- Random page skipping and jumps
- Corrupted library data and lost reading history
- Frequent login issues and errors

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved search and browsing functionality
- Better integration with other reading apps (e.g. Kindle)
- Progress tracking and bookmarking improvements
- Option to extend loan periods


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RYA Books free?

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

### Is CloudLibrary free?

CloudLibrary is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, RYA Books or CloudLibrary?

CloudLibrary is rated higher. RYA Books averages 2.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while CloudLibrary averages 4.8 from 262K ratings.

### Do RYA Books or CloudLibrary have ads?

Neither RYA Books nor CloudLibrary shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RYA Books or CloudLibrary?

RYA Books ships an update every 3 months, and CloudLibrary every 6 weeks. Most recently, RYA Books was updated on October 20, 2026 and CloudLibrary on October 21, 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.*