Comparison

plappa vs BookPlayer

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

Head to head
About

plappa

This app is a client for self-hosted media servers like Jellyfin and AudioBookShelf, designed specifically for playing audiobooks. It supports common audio formats, reads metadata, and allows for offline listening with optional in-app purchases for advanced features.

Highlights
  • Jellyfin, Emby, AudioBookShelf client
  • Supports common audio formats
  • Saves and syncs playback states
  • Reads audiobook metadata
  • Offline listening (via IAP)
  • Podcast and collection support (AudioBookShelf)
Features
Read full description

Disclaimer: plappa only works in connection with a Jellyfin or AudioBookShelf media server! plappa is an audiobook player/client for Jellyfin, Emby and AudioBookShelf, the popular self-hosted media server. Features: - Support for most common audio formats - Purpose built for audiobooks - Save and sync playback states via iCloud or your AudioBookShelf server - Reads metadata like author, narrator and others - Download audiobooks and podcast episodes for offline listening* - Support for podcasts, collections and series with AudioBookShelf * plappa allows you to unlock additional features like downloads and customization options through optional in-app purchases: You can choose between a one-time purchase or an auto-renewing subscription (1 month free trial included). The one-time purchase unlocks all current and future updates. With the subscription, all features are available for the duration of your subscription. Both the subscription and one-time purchase can be shared with your family. plappa is licensed under the Apple standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

BookPlayer

This app is a dedicated audio player for your personal audiobook collection. It supports various audio file formats and offers convenient playback features like automatic bookmarking and sleep timers. Enjoy your audiobooks offline without any advertisements.

Highlights
  • Plays MP3, MP4, M4B, M4A formats
  • Automatic bookmarking
  • Quick chapter jumping
  • Headset controls
  • Control Center/lock screen integration
  • Sleep timer
Features
Read full description

BookPlayer is the perfect way to enjoy audiobooks in MP3, MP4, M4B, M4A formats on your iPhone or iPod Touch! *** Please note: the app does not include audiobooks. It is designed to play your audio files. *** This app is designed with a single purpose - to provide maximum convenience and simplicity when listening to audiobooks of various formats! There are many online resources where you can find audiobooks on a wide variety of topics, voiced by both professional actors and audio enthusiasts. Most of these audiobooks are available in folders containing many files, predominantly in MP3 format and others similar. I, the creator of this app, am also a devotee of audiobooks and have tried to incorporate everything necessary into BookPlayer to make listening as easy and enjoyable as possible. • Supports MP3, MP4, M4B, M4A formats (except files with DRM protection). • Automatically remembers where you left off in audiobooks. • The ability to quickly jump to any part of the audio file. • Control playback through the headset. • Control the player through the Control Center and lock screen. • Sleep timer with a choice of different time intervals or until the end of the chapter. If you liked BookPlayer, don't forget to share your impressions with others and leave a review. Terms & Conditions: https://bookplayer.tilda.ws/terms-and-conditions Privacy Policy: https://bookplayer.tilda.ws/privacy-policy

Screenshots

plappa4 screens
BookPlayer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: plappa at 86% against BookPlayer's 59%. plappa also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4). BookPlayer's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (12.1 vs 16.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. plappa sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year and BookPlayer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

plappa holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 331 and 197 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of plappa's written reviews are positive against 59% of BookPlayer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

plappa ships an update every 5 weeks, BookPlayer weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
plappa versus BookPlayer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterplappaBookPlayer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (331 ratings) — better4.4 (197 ratings)
Positive reviews86.4% of reviews — better58.7% of reviews
Number of ratings331 — better197
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.012.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB86 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeo WehrfritzAlevtina Liubimova

Customer experience

plappa

All ratings331 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews286 reviews
Positive86.4%
Neutral6.3%
Negative7.3%

BookPlayer

All ratings197 ratings
Positive85.3%
Neutral3.6%
Negative11.2%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive58.7%
Neutral2.2%
Negative39.1%

Bugs and requests

plappa

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Can't login Audiobookshelf
  • Podcasts library not listing all podcasts

Requested features

9 requests
  • Auto download when start playing book
  • Auto delete when finished book
  • Option to add multiple servers
  • More sorting and filtering options in the library section
  • Refresh button for libraries
Show 4 more
  • Easy way to change server address without logging out
  • Sync the unplayed/unlistened flags with AudiobookShelf
  • Shortcut to bookmarks from within the player
  • Slider for fine-tuned control of playback speed

BookPlayer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

plappa

Subscriptions1
  • Subscription (1 Year)1 Month trial$1.991 Year
One-time1
  • Full Version (Lifetime)$4.99
6 purchases

BookPlayer

Subscriptions5
  • Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Pro$2.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Annual$12.991 Year
  • Yeraly7 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$8.99

Questions

Is plappa free?
plappa is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BookPlayer free?
BookPlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, plappa or BookPlayer?
plappa is rated higher. plappa averages 4.7 out of 5 from 331 ratings, while BookPlayer averages 4.4 from 197 ratings.
Do plappa or BookPlayer have ads?
Neither plappa nor BookPlayer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, plappa or BookPlayer?
plappa ships an update every 5 weeks, and BookPlayer weekly. Most recently, plappa was updated on September 24, 2026 and BookPlayer on September 23, 2026.

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