Comparison

Storyteller Reader vs AudioBookSync

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Storyteller Reader

This app allows you to read EPUB ebooks with guided narration on your device. It supports immersive reading features and can sync with a self-hosted backend for automatic audiobook and ebook alignment.

Highlights
  • Read EPUB books
  • Guided narration support
  • Immersive reading
  • Self-hosted backend pairing
  • Automatic audiobook/ebook alignment
Features
Read full description

Storyteller is a self-hosted platform for creating and reading ebooks with guided narration. You can use the app to read any EPUB books, including those with Media Overlays (also called “immersive reading” or “guided narration”) on your device, or you can pair it with the Storyteller self-hosted backend server, which can automatically align audiobooks and ebooks for immersive reading!

About

AudioBookSync

Features
Read full description

AudioBookSync is the intelligent audiobook player that bridges listening and reading. LISTEN YOUR WAY • Plays M4B, MP3 and MP3 folders • Background playback with lock-screen controls • Adjustable speed (0.5× to 3×) • Adaptive skip-back when resuming — AudioBookSync remembers where you stopped • Sleep timer (including "end of chapter") • Bookmarks with notes FIND ANY SPOT IN YOUR BOOK • Point the camera at a page — OCR + fuzzy matching jump the audio to the exact passage • Works with printed books, screenshots and handwritten pages • Fully on-device: no cloud, no upload, no tracking • Choose between Apple Speech (fast) or Whisper (local, best for German) READ WHERE YOU STOP LISTENING • Built-in EPUB reader with themes (Light/Dark/Sepia), 8 fonts, adjustable size and margins • "Listen here" button jumps from reader to the matching audio position • Seamless cross-navigation: open the book in either mode CARPLAY + HOME-SCREEN WIDGET • CarPlay: full library, chapter navigation and Now Playing while driving • Home-screen widget: current book with progress ring and quick actions • No subscription, no upsell — included with the free version iCLOUD DRIVE LIBRARY • Drop your audiobooks into iCloud Drive → AudioBookSync → Audiobooks • Bookmarks and library state stay on your device • Nothing ever leaves your iCloud account AUDIOBOOKSYNC PRO — OPTIONAL ONE-TIME PURCHASE The free version keeps one audiobook active at a time. Switch books for free at any time, or unlock Pro for: • Unlimited audiobooks — use your entire library at once • Multi-device sync — listening progress syncs automatically between iPhone and iPad via your private iCloud Drive • Shared transcription index — transcribe a book once, every other device picks up the index • Apple Watch — slice off a section of your audiobook, send it to your Apple Watch and listen offline — leave the iPhone at home. Position syncs back to iPhone and iPad automatically. NO ADS. NO SUBSCRIPTION. NO TRACKING. Your library, your bookmarks, your progress — all stored in your iCloud Drive.

Screenshots

Storyteller Reader4 screens
AudioBookSync4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Storyteller Reader at none against AudioBookSync's 1. Storyteller Reader also leads on iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. AudioBookSync sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Storyteller Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Storyteller Reader versus AudioBookSync: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStoryteller ReaderAudioBookSync
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (44 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews95.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings44 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.4 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShane FriedmanHans-Peter Jordi

In-app purchases

None

Storyteller Reader

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

AudioBookSync

One-time1
  • AudioBookSync Pro$5.99

Questions

Is Storyteller Reader free?
Storyteller Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AudioBookSync free?
AudioBookSync is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Storyteller Reader or AudioBookSync have ads?
Neither Storyteller Reader nor AudioBookSync shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Storyteller Reader or AudioBookSync?
Storyteller Reader ships an update every 2 weeks, and AudioBookSync every 2 weeks. Most recently, Storyteller Reader was updated on October 13, 2026 and AudioBookSync on October 7, 2026.

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