# RYA Books vs BorrowBox

The clearest difference is review sentiment: BorrowBox at 77% against RYA Books's 27%. BorrowBox also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 38). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

BorrowBox holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BorrowBox has 865 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 77% of BorrowBox's.

RYA Books ships an update every 3 months, BorrowBox every 6 days. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | RYA Books | BorrowBox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rya-books/id451481707/reviews) | **[4.7 (865 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/borrowbox/id562843562/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **865** |
| Positive reviews | 27.0% of reviews | **76.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#90** |
| Size | 110 MB | 165 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Royal Yachting Association](https://appshunter.io/developer/709375005) | [Bolinda digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/562843565) |

## 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 |


### BorrowBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/borrowbox/id562843562)

**Currently charting:** #90 Top Free · Magazines & Newspapers (US App Store)

Access a vast digital library of eAudiobooks, eBooks, eMagazines, and eNewspapers from your local library. Browse, borrow, and enjoy content on any device with seamless syncing and personalized features.

**Highlights:** Borrow eAudiobooks, eBooks, eMagazines, eNewspapers, All library formats in one app, Read and listen directly in the app, Curated collections and themes, Multi-language browsing, Automatic new issue downloads, Cross-device syncing, Adjustable playback speed and sleep timer

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient access to books
- 💡 Free service through local library
- 🎧 Great for audiobooks
- 📚 Wide selection of books

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🕰️ Long wait times for popular books
- 🔍 Limited search and filtering options
- 🔖 Lack of bookmark/progress tracking features
- 🔋 Battery drain issues
- 🐛 App crashes and bugs

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes after recent update
- Loses reading progress when switching devices
- Night mode issues with invisible text
- Audiobook controls not working with Bluetooth
- Inconsistent behavior when using sleep timer

**Requested features**

- Add a wishlist or reading list feature
- Improve search and filtering capabilities
- Implement bookmark/progress tracking for audiobooks
- Integrate with Apple CarPlay for safer driving
- Add user reviews and ratings for books


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RYA Books free?

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

### Is BorrowBox free?

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

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

BorrowBox is rated higher. RYA Books averages 2.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while BorrowBox averages 4.7 from 865 ratings.

### Do RYA Books or BorrowBox have ads?

Neither RYA Books nor BorrowBox shows ads.

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

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