# Bookends.app vs Ex Libris

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ex Libris at none against Bookends.app's 2. Ex Libris also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 6 months). Bookends.app's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bookends.app 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.app against 5.0 for Ex Libris. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bookends.app has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Bookends.app ships an update every 6 months, Ex Libris every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bookends.app | Ex Libris |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookendsapp/id6737713402/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ex-libris-book-tracker/id6794728198/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 39 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookendsapp/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.app free?

Bookends.app 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.app or Ex Libris?

Bookends.app and Ex Libris are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 7 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do Bookends.app or Ex Libris have ads?

Neither Bookends.app nor Ex Libris shows ads.

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

Bookends.app ships an update every 6 months, and Ex Libris every 10 days. Most recently, Bookends.app was updated on October 8, 2026 and Ex Libris on October 9, 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.*