Comparison

SoundLeaf vs Auribook

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

Head to head
About

SoundLeaf

This app provides a premium iOS client for the open-source Audiobookshelf server. It offers a beautiful, intuitive interface for listening to your personal audiobook collection with features like CarPlay support and offline downloads.

Highlights
  • CarPlay support
  • Connect to Audiobookshelf server
  • Intuitive library browsing
  • Variable playback speed
  • Offline listening
  • Smart sleep timer
  • Cross-device progress tracking
Features
Read full description

SoundLeaf is a premium iOS client for Audiobookshelf, the open-source, self-hosted audiobook and podcast server. Connect to your own server and get your whole collection — audiobooks, podcasts and ebooks — in a beautiful, fast app built for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and CarPlay. Learn more, read setup guides and see the app in action at https://soundleafapp.com OFFLINE FIRST • Your library syncs to the app, so you can browse everything even with the server off • Download books and episodes and play them anywhere, no connection needed • Downloads are free for everyone, podcast auto-download included • Local and remote server addresses: the app uses your local address on home Wi-Fi and your remote address everywhere else, on its own BUILT FOR LONG LISTENS • A powerful player with chapters, variable playback speed and position memory • A smarter sleep timer: tell it your night hours and it starts itself, fades out instead of stopping cold, and restarts when you press play • Progress syncs with your server, so every device stays on the same page • Background playback, lock screen controls and full landscape support PODCASTS, DONE RIGHT • Podcast transcripts: when a show publishes one, it runs along with the audio, and a tap opens a full reader • Smart Downloads keep the next episodes ready before you ask • A queue that shows what is playing, what is next and what is on the phone • Episode management per show: keep counts, auto-download, mark played THE EBOOK READER • Read the ebook that lives next to your audiobook • One tap jumps the page to where the narrator is, and back • Fonts, text size, line spacing, margins, and Light, Sepia and Dark pages EVERYWHERE YOU LISTEN • A real Apple Watch app, with offline playback on your wrist if you want it • CarPlay with library switching and a downloaded-only filter • Home screen widgets: now playing, recent books, your listening time MAKE IT YOURS • 32 themes and 55 app icons • Listening stats with streaks, totals, a year heatmap and daily patterns • Multiple libraries, series, authors, collections and search SoundLeaf is made for self-hosters and their families: people who keep their audiobook library on their own server with Audiobookshelf and want the best way to listen to it on Apple devices. Note: SoundLeaf requires an Audiobookshelf server to connect to. Audiobookshelf is free and open source; learn how to set one up at https://audiobookshelf.org and find help at https://soundleafapp.com/server/ Website: https://soundleafapp.com Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Auribook

Listen to audiobooks and podcasts directly on your Apple Watch. Access a library of public domain classics or connect to your own server for offline playback. Enjoy seamless syncing and a private listening experience.

Highlights
  • Offline audiobook and podcast playback
  • Public domain audiobook library
  • Connect to Audiobookshelf server
  • Progress syncing
  • Watch face complications
  • Sleep timer
Features
Read full description

Auribook is a focused, standalone Apple Watch app for listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and relaxing sounds on the go. Discover and download classic public domain audiobooks right from your watch, no server required. Or connect your own library through Audiobookshelf, OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox to browse, download, and listen offline — directly from Apple Watch. Google Drive and Dropbox support are currently in beta. They are available for testing and everyday use, but some files, formats, or account setups may not work perfectly yet. OneDrive and Audiobookshelf are the recommended options if you want the most stable experience. Why you will love it * Robust offline playback: Download reliably to Apple Watch for runs, commutes, flights, sleep, and phone-free moments. * Multiple library sources: Connect Audiobookshelf, OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox and bring your own audiobooks to your wrist. * Public domain library: Browse a growing collection of free classics across multiple languages, with curated lists and new titles added regularly. * Podcasts: Browse shows and episodes, filter for unplayed items, sort your feed, and download episodes for offline listening. * Ambient sounds: Play relaxing nature sounds and noise colors such as rain, fireplace, white noise, pink noise, and brown noise. * Complications: Add Auribook to your watch face for quick controls, jump back to your last title, or see progress at a glance. * Audiobookshelf syncing: Start on your watch and continue elsewhere. Progress stays in sync with your Audiobookshelf server. * Sleep timer: Set a timer to pause audiobooks, podcasts, or ambient sounds automatically. * Direct connection: Point Auribook to your Audiobookshelf server URL or connect a supported cloud provider and enjoy your library on your terms. * Private by design: No analytics, no tracking, no third parties. Your listening stays with you. * Simple setup: Connect once, then get straight to your books. Built with the community in mind Auribook started as a contribution to the open-source Audiobookshelf ecosystem and has grown into a flexible phone-free listening app for Apple Watch. Requirements * Public domain library access is available via an optional in-app purchase. * Cloud provider access for Audiobookshelf, OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox is available via a one-time in-app purchase. * Google Drive and Dropbox are currently beta features. * For Audiobookshelf libraries: access to your own Audiobookshelf server and a valid server URL. * For cloud libraries: a valid OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox account. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SoundLeaf4 screens
Auribook1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Auribook at 5.0 against SoundLeaf's 4.3. Auribook also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). SoundLeaf's advantage is ratings volume (20 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. SoundLeaf sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year and Auribook sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Auribook holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SoundLeaf has 20 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SoundLeaf ships an update fortnightly, Auribook every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SoundLeaf versus Auribook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoundLeafAuribook
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (20 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings20 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHemant KumarJonas Minke

Customer experience

SoundLeaf

All ratings20 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral15.0%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive65.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative10.0%

Auribook

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

SoundLeaf

Subscriptions1
  • SoundLeaf Supporter$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro$9.99
2 purchases

Auribook

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Catalog$1.993 Months
One-time1
  • Cloud Providers$1.99

Questions

Is SoundLeaf free?
SoundLeaf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Auribook free?
Auribook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SoundLeaf or Auribook?
Auribook is rated higher. SoundLeaf averages 4.3 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Auribook averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do SoundLeaf or Auribook have ads?
Neither SoundLeaf nor Auribook shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SoundLeaf or Auribook?
SoundLeaf ships an update fortnightly, and Auribook every 3 weeks. Most recently, SoundLeaf was updated on September 22, 2026 and Auribook on September 9, 2026.

Other comparisons