plappa vs Bookcase by Astropad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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)
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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/
Bookcase by Astropad
This app helps create an ideal reading environment by automatically adjusting phone settings and opening preferred reading apps when connected to a specific accessory. Customize your reading experience for seamless immersion.
- Customizable reading environment
- Automatic app launching
- Phone setting toggles (Do Not Disturb, Reading Mode)
- Triggered by accessory connection
- Personalized reading experience
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CUSTOMIZE YOUR BOOKCASE READING EXPERIENCE Use the Bookcase companion app to build the perfect reading environment Bookcase can be programmed to create an ideal reading environment whenever you connect your phone. Use the companion app to tell Bookcase which of your favorite reading apps to open and which phone settings to toggle (Do Not Disturb, Reading Mode, etc.) when your phone is connected. The next time you place your phone into Bookcase, your settings will trigger automatically.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bookcase by Astropad at none against plappa's 2. Bookcase by Astropad also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks). plappa's advantage is ratings volume (338 vs 6) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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
Both are free to download. plappa sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Bookcase by Astropad asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for plappa against 4.7 for Bookcase by Astropad. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: plappa has 338 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of plappa's written reviews are positive against 80% of Bookcase by Astropad's.
plappa ships an update every 5 weeks, Bookcase by Astropad every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | plappa | Bookcase by Astropad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (338 ratings) — better | 4.7 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 86.5% of reviews — better | 80.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 338 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Leo Wehrfritz | Astro HQ |
Customer experience
plappa
Bookcase by Astropad
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
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- 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
Bookcase by Astropad
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
plappa
- Subscription (1 Year)1 Month trial$1.991 Year
- Full Version (Lifetime)$4.99
Bookcase by Astropad
No in-app purchases
