# Shakespeare vs ActiveBook

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ActiveBook at none against Shakespeare's 20. ActiveBook also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shakespeare sells 20 one-off in-app purchases. ActiveBook asks for nothing beyond the download.

Shakespeare ships an update fortnightly, ActiveBook monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shakespeare | ActiveBook |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shakespeare-complete-works/id6449892170/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 62 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mysthetic Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1679661112) | [Linus Learning](https://appshunter.io/developer/1586338100) |

## What reviewers say

### Shakespeare

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shakespeare-complete-works/id6449892170)

Access all of Shakespeare's plays translated into simple, modern English. This app offers a user-friendly interface, offline reading, and customizable themes to make the Bard's works accessible and enjoyable for students, educators, and enthusiasts.

**Highlights:** Complete collection of Shakespeare's plays, Simple English translations, Offline reading capability, Customizable themes and reading settings, Educational tool for students and teachers, Improved vocabulary and understanding

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (20)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Venus and Adonis | $0.99 | one-time |
| The Rape of Lucrece | $0.99 | one-time |
| The Phoenix and the Turtle | $0.99 | one-time |
| A Lovers Complaint | $0.99 | one-time |
| The Passionate Pilgrim | $0.99 | one-time |
| The Twelfth Night | $0.99 | one-time |
| Romeo and Juliet | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hamlet | $0.99 | one-time |
| Macbeth | $0.99 | one-time |
| Cymbeline | $0.99 | one-time |
| King John | $0.99 | one-time |
| Henry IV Part II | $0.99 | one-time |
| Troilus and Cressida | $0.99 | one-time |
| Henry VI Part II | $0.99 | one-time |
| Henry VI Part III | $0.99 | one-time |
| Henry VIII | $0.99 | one-time |
| Richard III | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pericles, Prince of Tyre | $0.99 | one-time |
| Richard II | $0.99 | one-time |
| Complete Collection - 37 Plays | $19.99 | one-time |


### ActiveBook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/activebook/id6738507939)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shakespeare free?

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

### Is ActiveBook free?

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

### Do Shakespeare or ActiveBook have ads?

Shakespeare shows ads; ActiveBook does not.

### Which is updated more often, Shakespeare or ActiveBook?

Shakespeare ships an update fortnightly, and ActiveBook monthly. Most recently, Shakespeare was updated on October 11, 2026 and ActiveBook on October 7, 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.*