# Storyteller Reader vs Spine

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Storyteller Reader at 100% against Spine's 75%. Storyteller Reader also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Storyteller Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 37 and 25 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Storyteller Reader's written reviews are positive against 75% of Spine's.

Storyteller Reader ships an update weekly, Spine every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Storyteller Reader | Spine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (37 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storyteller-reader/id6474467720/reviews)** | [4.8 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spine-audiobook-player/id6764636615/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **37** | 25 |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 72 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Shane Friedman](https://appshunter.io/developer/1721687723) | [Accelyze Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895859588) |

## What reviewers say

### Storyteller Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storyteller-reader/id6474467720)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Spine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spine-audiobook-player/id6764636615)

This app enhances audiobook listening with features like listener levels, daily streaks, and shareable year-end recaps. It offers a beautiful, integrated player and syncs with Hardcover, all while keeping your data private on-device.

**Highlights:** Integrated audiobook player, Listener levels and daily streaks, Hardcover sync, On-device AI summaries, Shareable year-in-review recap, Lock screen and widget controls

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Storyteller Reader free?

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

### Is Spine free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Storyteller Reader or Spine?

Storyteller Reader is rated higher. Storyteller Reader averages 5.0 out of 5 from 37 ratings, while Spine averages 4.8 from 25 ratings.

### Do Storyteller Reader or Spine have ads?

Neither Storyteller Reader nor Spine shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Storyteller Reader or Spine?

Storyteller Reader ships an update weekly, and Spine every 4 days. Most recently, Storyteller Reader was updated on September 20, 2026 and Spine on September 17, 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.*