Comparison

Readest vs Bookshelf

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Readest

This app is a powerful ebook reader designed for deep thinkers and researchers. It offers advanced annotation tools, seamless device syncing, and robust library management with OPDS and Calibre support. Enjoy a distraction-free reading experience with customizable modes and multi-book viewing for enhanced study and analysis.

Highlights
  • OPDS Online Libraries
  • Calibre Integration
  • Sync Across Devices
  • Bookshelf Management
  • Customizable Reading Modes
  • Multi-Book View
  • Advanced Annotations & Highlights
Features
Read full description

Readest is an ebook reader for people who read a lot, and who want their books, notes and reading position on whatever device is nearest. Open EPUB, PDF, MOBI, AZW3, FB2, CBZ, TXT and Markdown in one library. Pull books from OPDS catalogs or from your own Calibre server. Read, annotate, listen, translate. Made for iPhone and iPad • CarPlay, so you can keep listening on the road with playback controls on the dashboard • Download read-aloud voices per book and listen with no connection at all • Add books from Files, Mail or any share sheet, and read them in place instead of copying them into a second library • Open up to four books at once on iPad and arrange them how you like Reading • Paginated or scrolling, with custom fonts, themes, spacing and margins • Vertical text for CJK books • Contrast and refresh tuned for e-ink screens • Full-text search inside a book Your library • Browse, search and download from OPDS catalogs and public libraries • Connect to Calibre or Calibre-Web, covers and metadata included • Organize with bookshelf groups you can rename Notes • Highlights, bookmarks and structured notes • Copy a highlight together with a deep link back to the passage • Export your annotations Listening and languages • Text-to-speech with downloadable offline voices • Translate a sentence, a page, or an entire book • Wikipedia and dictionary lookup without leaving the page Sync • Readest Cloud, or bring your own: iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, WebDAV, S3 • KOReader sync keeps your progress in step with your e-reader • iPhone, iPad, Mac, all other platforms and the web Readest is open source. Support: support@readest.com Privacy Policy: https://readest.com/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Bookshelf

Features
Read full description

Bookshelf is the ultimate companion app for your XTEINK X4 & X3 e-reader. Sync your reading progress wirelessly via WiFi and never lose track of where you left off. SEAMLESS WIFI SYNC Connect to your XTEINK X4 & X3 e-reader over WiFi and automatically sync your entire library, current book, and reading progress. Works with both the original XTEINK firmware (from XT 3.1.1 to 5.X) and Crosspoint/CrossInk Reader (from 0.16 to 1.3 and more). No cables needed, just tap and sync. STUNNING HOME AND LOCK SCREEN WIDGETS Track your reading progress without even opening the app. Add beautiful widgets to your home screen showing your current book, cover art, and how far you've read. Multiple sizes available for iPhone and iPad. SHARE YOUR READING JOURNEY Finished a great chapter? Share your progress with friends on social media using beautifully designed cards that showcase your current read. BOOKSHELF PREMIUM Take your reading experience to the next level: • Unlimited book synchronization - sync your entire library • Custom widget themes - personalize colors, fonts, and styles • Social sharing cards - create stunning progress updates for Instagram, Twitter, and more Whether you're a casual reader or a bookworm tracking dozens of titles, Bookshelf makes it easy to stay on top of your reading goals. Download Bookshelf today and transform how you track your reading! Subscriptions Bookshelf offers auto-renewable subscriptions to unlock premium features. Purchase options: Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase Subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store account settings Lifetime Purchase: Bookshelf may offer a non-consumable Lifetime purchase. This is a one-time payment that unlocks the Premium features available in the purchased version and subsequent compatible updates for as long as the application remains available and supported. Lifetime purchases do not renew automatically and can be restored using the Apple ID used for the original purchase. Privacy Policy: https://bookshelfprogress.netlify.app/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Readest4 screens
Bookshelf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Readest at fortnightly against Bookshelf's monthly. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Readest sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Bookshelf 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

Readest ships an update fortnightly, Bookshelf monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Readest versus Bookshelf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReadestBookshelf
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (191 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews84.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings191 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBilingify LLCJorge Marco

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Readest

Subscriptions4
  • Subscribe to Plus Plan$4.991 Month
  • Subscribe to Pro Plan$9.991 Month
  • Subscribe to Plus Plan$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Subscribe to Pro Plan$99.991 Year
One-time5
  • 1 GB$9.99
  • 2 GB$14.99
  • Full Customization$19.99
Show 2 more
  • 5 GB$29.99
  • 10 GB$49.99
2 purchases

Bookshelf

Subscriptions2
  • Bookshelf Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Bookshelf Yearly$34.991 Year

Questions

Is Readest free?
Readest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bookshelf free?
Bookshelf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Readest or Bookshelf have ads?
Neither Readest nor Bookshelf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Readest or Bookshelf?
Readest ships an update fortnightly, and Bookshelf monthly. Most recently, Readest was updated on October 20, 2026 and Bookshelf on October 10, 2026.

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