# RYA Books vs MindfulShelf

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MindfulShelf at none against RYA Books's 38. MindfulShelf also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 months). 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. MindfulShelf asks for nothing beyond the download.

RYA Books ships an update every 3 months, MindfulShelf every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RYA Books | MindfulShelf |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rya-books/id451481707/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | 27.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 110 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Royal Yachting Association](https://appshunter.io/developer/709375005) | [Luzhnov Kirill](https://appshunter.io/developer/1870106953) |

## 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 |


### MindfulShelf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mindfulshelf/id6757989456)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RYA Books free?

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

### Is MindfulShelf free?

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

### Do RYA Books or MindfulShelf have ads?

Neither RYA Books nor MindfulShelf shows ads.

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

RYA Books ships an update every 3 months, and MindfulShelf every 4 days. Most recently, RYA Books was updated on October 26, 2026 and MindfulShelf on October 25, 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.*