Comparison

plappa vs SoundLeaf

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

SoundLeaf

This app provides a premium iOS client for the open-source Audiobookshelf server. It offers a beautiful, intuitive interface for listening to your personal audiobook collection with features like CarPlay support and offline downloads.

Highlights
  • CarPlay support
  • Connect to Audiobookshelf server
  • Intuitive library browsing
  • Variable playback speed
  • Offline listening
  • Smart sleep timer
  • Cross-device progress tracking
Features
Read full description

SoundLeaf is a premium iOS client for Audiobookshelf, the open-source, self-hosted audiobook and podcast server. Connect to your own server and get your whole collection — audiobooks, podcasts and ebooks — in a beautiful, fast app built for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and CarPlay. Learn more, read setup guides and see the app in action at https://soundleafapp.com OFFLINE FIRST • Your library syncs to the app, so you can browse everything even with the server off • Download books and episodes and play them anywhere, no connection needed • Downloads are free for everyone, podcast auto-download included • Local and remote server addresses: the app uses your local address on home Wi-Fi and your remote address everywhere else, on its own BUILT FOR LONG LISTENS • A powerful player with chapters, variable playback speed and position memory • A smarter sleep timer: tell it your night hours and it starts itself, fades out instead of stopping cold, and restarts when you press play • Progress syncs with your server, so every device stays on the same page • Background playback, lock screen controls and full landscape support PODCASTS, DONE RIGHT • Podcast transcripts: when a show publishes one, it runs along with the audio, and a tap opens a full reader • Smart Downloads keep the next episodes ready before you ask • A queue that shows what is playing, what is next and what is on the phone • Episode management per show: keep counts, auto-download, mark played THE EBOOK READER • Read the ebook that lives next to your audiobook • One tap jumps the page to where the narrator is, and back • Fonts, text size, line spacing, margins, and Light, Sepia and Dark pages EVERYWHERE YOU LISTEN • A real Apple Watch app, with offline playback on your wrist if you want it • CarPlay with library switching and a downloaded-only filter • Home screen widgets: now playing, recent books, your listening time MAKE IT YOURS • 32 themes and 55 app icons • Listening stats with streaks, totals, a year heatmap and daily patterns • Multiple libraries, series, authors, collections and search SoundLeaf is made for self-hosters and their families: people who keep their audiobook library on their own server with Audiobookshelf and want the best way to listen to it on Apple devices. Note: SoundLeaf requires an Audiobookshelf server to connect to. Audiobookshelf is free and open source; learn how to set one up at https://audiobookshelf.org and find help at https://soundleafapp.com/server/ Website: https://soundleafapp.com Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

plappa4 screens
SoundLeaf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: plappa at 4.7 against SoundLeaf's 4.3. plappa also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 65%) and ratings volume (331 vs 20). SoundLeaf's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 SoundLeaf sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. 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 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: plappa has 331 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of plappa's written reviews are positive against 65% of SoundLeaf's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

plappa ships an update every 5 weeks, SoundLeaf fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
plappa versus SoundLeaf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterplappaSoundLeaf
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (331 ratings) — better4.3 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews86.4% of reviews — better65.0% of reviews
Number of ratings331 — better20
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeo WehrfritzHemant Kumar

Customer experience

plappa

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

SoundLeaf

All ratings20 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral15.0%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive65.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative10.0%

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

SoundLeaf

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
2 purchases

SoundLeaf

Subscriptions1
  • SoundLeaf Supporter$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro$9.99

Questions

Is plappa free?
plappa is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SoundLeaf free?
SoundLeaf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, plappa or SoundLeaf?
plappa is rated higher. plappa averages 4.7 out of 5 from 331 ratings, while SoundLeaf averages 4.3 from 20 ratings.
Do plappa or SoundLeaf have ads?
Neither plappa nor SoundLeaf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, plappa or SoundLeaf?
plappa ships an update every 5 weeks, and SoundLeaf fortnightly. Most recently, plappa was updated on September 24, 2026 and SoundLeaf on September 22, 2026.

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