# Bookends vs Ex Libris

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ex Libris at none against Bookends's 2. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bookends sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Ex Libris asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Bookends against 5.0 for Ex Libris. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Bookends ships an update every 3 weeks, Ex Libris monthly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bookends | Ex Libris |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookends-reading-tracker/id6737713402/reviews) | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ex-libris-book-tracker/id6794728198/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 48 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bookends](https://appshunter.io/developer/1777545924) | [Atreides LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1127240662) |

## What reviewers say

### Bookends

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookends-reading-tracker/id6737713402)

This app helps you achieve your reading goals with custom bookshelves, insightful progress tracking, and social features to share with friends. It supports all reading formats, including audiobooks, physical books, and digital content, adapting to your personal style.

**Highlights:** Customizable bookshelves, Progress tracking for all formats, Daily and weekly reading insights, Social feeds for reading buddies, Track audiobooks, physical, and digital books

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bookends Premium | $3.99 | per month |
| Bookends Premium Annnual | $29.99 | per year |


### Ex Libris

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ex-libris-book-tracker/id6794728198)

Organize your reading life with this app. Easily add books by scanning barcodes or covers, track your reading progress, and save memorable passages. Connect with friends to see what they're reading and share your own literary discoveries.

**Highlights:** Add books via barcode scan or cover photo, Track reading progress and pace, Save and share favorite passages, Create custom bookplates, Connect with friends to see their reading, Discuss books with other readers

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bookends free?

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

### Is Ex Libris free?

Ex Libris is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Bookends or Ex Libris?

Bookends and Ex Libris are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 7 and 3 ratings respectively.

### Do Bookends or Ex Libris have ads?

Neither Bookends nor Ex Libris shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bookends or Ex Libris?

Bookends ships an update every 3 weeks, and Ex Libris monthly. Most recently, Bookends was updated on October 24, 2026 and Ex Libris on October 24, 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.*