Comparison

plappa vs BookBubble

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 an audiobook player that connects to self-hosted media servers like Jellyfin and AudioBookShelf. It supports various audio formats, reads metadata, and allows for offline listening through optional in-app purchases. Users can sync playback states across devices or their server.

Highlights
  • Connects to Jellyfin, Emby, AudioBookShelf
  • Supports common audio formats
  • Purpose-built for audiobooks
  • Sync playback states
  • Reads audiobook metadata
  • Offline listening (via IAP)
  • Podcast and series support
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

BookBubble

This app provides a spoiler-free wiki for books, unlocking information chapter by chapter as you read. It also helps you track reading sessions, organize your library, and set reading goals to build a consistent habit.

Highlights
  • Spoiler-free fan wiki
  • Chapter-by-chapter entry unlocking
  • Reading session tracking
  • Ambient reading music
  • Customizable book library
  • Reading goal setting
  • Calendar view of reading habits
Features
Read full description

That moment when a quick online search about a character spoils the whole plot of your book. That pain is why we built BookBubble. A fan-powered and spoiler-free Wiki that only unlocks, what you’ve actually read so far. A FAN WIKI THAT CAN'T SPOIL YOU - Look up any character, creature, location, item, or group in your book and only see what you've actually read so far. - Entries unlock chapter by chapter as you read - No more accidentally spoiling yourself while searching online - Contribute while reading and become part of the wiki READING SESSIONS - Track every session you spend in a book. - Log minutes read and chapters finished - Play ambient music while you read - Build a clear picture of your reading habit over time YOUR LIBRARY, YOUR WAY - Organize your books exactly how you read them. - Default Shelves for Currently Reading, TBR, DNF, and Finished - Create and add your own custom collections - Share or hide your shelves on your public profile CALENDAR & READING GOAL - See your reading habit take shape. - A built-in calendar shows exactly which day you read which book - Watch your reading time grow as time goes by - Set a yearly reading goal and track your progress toward it - Set notifications to make reading a habit Built for readers of fantasy, romantasy, and any book with worldbuilding too rich to hold in your head. Download BookBubble and dive into your books, chapter by chapter — spoiler-free.

Screenshots

plappa4 screens
BookBubble4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BookBubble at none against plappa's 2. BookBubble also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 87%). 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. plappa sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. BookBubble asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

plappa ships an update every 5 weeks, BookBubble monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
plappa versus BookBubble: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterplappaBookBubble
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (343 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews86.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings343 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB60 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperLeo WehrfritzTimon Grassl

Customer experience

plappa

All ratings340 ratings
Positive91.8%
Neutral4.1%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews289 reviews
Positive86.5%
Neutral6.2%
Negative7.3%

BookBubble

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

BookBubble

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
None

BookBubble

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is plappa free?
plappa is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BookBubble free?
BookBubble is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do plappa or BookBubble have ads?
Neither plappa nor BookBubble shows ads.
Which is updated more often, plappa or BookBubble?
plappa ships an update every 5 weeks, and BookBubble monthly. Most recently, plappa was updated on November 4, 2026 and BookBubble on October 30, 2026.

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