Comparison

plappa vs Dzen Reader

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

Dzen Reader

Features
Read full description

Do you have a stack of unread non-fiction, business, and self-improvement books waiting on your shelf? Do you want to absorb knowledge and finish entire books in hours instead of weeks? Dzen Reader is your personal cognitive accelerator. Powered by the scientifically proven RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) method, Dzen Reader displays words sequentially in the center of your screen with bionic Optimal Recognition Point (ORP) highlighting. By eliminating the need for your eyes to track across lines and reducing inner subvocalization, Dzen Reader frees up cognitive bandwidth. The result? Pure, laser-sharp focus and 2x to 3x faster reading speed with excellent comprehension. Finish an average 300-page book in just 3 to 4 hours instead of 8 to 10 hours! WHY HIGH-PERFORMERS CHOOSE DZEN READER: - Read 2-3x Faster with RSVP Instantly accelerate from a typical 200 WPM to 500-800+ WPM. Expand your knowledge at the speed of modern life. - Built-In Bestseller Book Summaries Read distilled insights from transformative books in 3–5 minutes: "Atomic Habits", "Thinking, Fast and Slow", "Deep Work", "The Psychology of Money", "Essentialism", "Stoic Wisdom", "The Black Swan", and more. - 60-Second Speed Test & Comprehension Check Test your baseline reading speed in one minute, take an interactive comprehension quiz, and share your speed achievement card to Instagram Stories or Telegram. - Bionic ORP Focus Point The Optimal Recognition Point of each word is highlighted with accent color or bold weighting, allowing your brain to process vocabulary instantaneously without eye strain. - Dynamic Focus Rhythms Match your reading cadence to your energy: choose "Calm Breathing (±5%)" for deep immersion or "Intense Pulse (±15%)" for rapid knowledge sprints. - Import Your Own Library Effortlessly load your favorite books, work documents, and articles in EPUB, PDF, FB2, and TXT formats. Fast chapter parsing and position sync keep your place automatically. - Eye Care & Smart Break Reminders Prevent fatigue with customizable focus intervals (every 15 minutes, 1 hour, or at chapter completion). Rest your eyes, retain more, and read longer. - Zen Aesthetic & Deep Customization Enjoy a distraction-free experience with Dark OLED, Warm Sepia, and Pure Light themes, custom speeds, and effortless swipe navigation. Stop flipping pages and wasting time. Download knowledge directly into your mind! Download Dzen Reader today and unlock your reading superpower!

Screenshots

plappa4 screens
Dzen Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

plappa and Dzen Reader are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 Dzen Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

plappa ships an update every 5 weeks, Dzen Reader every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
plappa versus Dzen Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterplappaDzen Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (340 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews86.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings340 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeo WehrfritzOleksandr Zheliezniak

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

Dzen Reader

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

Dzen Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Dzen monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Dzen yearly subscription3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is plappa free?
plappa is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Dzen Reader free?
Dzen Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do plappa or Dzen Reader have ads?
Neither plappa nor Dzen Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, plappa or Dzen Reader?
plappa ships an update every 5 weeks, and Dzen Reader every 2 months. Most recently, plappa was updated on October 30, 2026 and Dzen Reader on October 29, 2026.

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