# Now Reading vs PocketShelf

The clearest difference is rating: Now Reading at 5.0 against PocketShelf's 4.4. Now Reading also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (100% vs 85%). PocketShelf's advantage is ratings volume (8 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PocketShelf sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Now Reading asks for nothing beyond the download.

Now Reading holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Now Reading's written reviews are positive against 85% of PocketShelf's.

Now Reading ships an update fortnightly, PocketShelf every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Now Reading | PocketShelf |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/now-reading/id6627332935/reviews)** | [4.4 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketshelf-tbr-book-tracker/id6745476834/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **8** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 84.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 8 MB | 159 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Minsang choi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1762237320) | [Klemens Strasser](https://appshunter.io/developer/889417671) |

## What reviewers say

### Now Reading

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/now-reading/id6627332935)

Log books you are currently reading, have finished, or want to read. Display original or custom book covers and share your reading progress with friends through widgets or by swiping through your logged books.

**Highlights:** Track current reads, Archive finished books, Manage wishlist, Display book covers, Share reading progress, Widget support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases:** none


### PocketShelf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketshelf-tbr-book-tracker/id6745476834)

Easily organize your book collection and track your reading progress. Save notes, get session recaps, and start reading directly from your home screen.

**Highlights:** Organize book library, Track reading sessions, Add notes and summaries, Home screen widget, Accessibility features, AI-powered recaps

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| One Extra Book Slot | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Now Reading free?

Now Reading is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PocketShelf free?

PocketShelf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Now Reading or PocketShelf?

Now Reading is rated higher. Now Reading averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while PocketShelf averages 4.4 from 8 ratings.

### Do Now Reading or PocketShelf have ads?

Neither Now Reading nor PocketShelf shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Now Reading or PocketShelf?

Now Reading ships an update fortnightly, and PocketShelf every 2 weeks. Most recently, Now Reading was updated on October 27, 2026 and PocketShelf on October 28, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*