# Softcover vs Shelvd

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Shelvd at 67% against Softcover's 33%. Shelvd also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and ratings volume (11 vs 3). Softcover's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.9) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Softcover sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Shelvd sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Softcover holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 11 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of Softcover's written reviews are positive against 67% of Shelvd's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Softcover ships an update every 5 weeks, Shelvd fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Softcover | Shelvd |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/softcover/id6753820163/reviews)** | [3.9 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shelvd-smart-book-tracker/id6759407922/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **11** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 27 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Robin Bolinsson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1844702769) | [Platform Thirteen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1878497050) |

## What reviewers say

### Softcover

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/softcover/id6753820163)

This app helps you track your reading progress for books and audiobooks. You can manage your reading lists, follow friends, discover new titles, and engage in discussions within a community of readers. It also offers detailed statistics and home screen widgets for easy access to your reading goals.

**Highlights:** Track reading progress by page or percentage, Manage Currently Reading, Want to Read, Finished lists, Follow friends and explore trending titles, Engage in book discussions, Detailed reading statistics and annual goals, Home screen widgets for reading progress, Release notifications for anticipated titles

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Liten dricks | $0.49 | one-time |
| Mellanstor dricks | $1.99 | one-time |
| Stor dricks | $4.99 | one-time |
| Softcover Supporter Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Generous Supporter Pack | $11.99 | one-time |


### Shelvd

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shelvd-smart-book-tracker/id6759407922)

Effortlessly log your reading progress by simply taking a photo of any page. This app organizes your library visually, tracks detailed reading statistics, and syncs with Goodreads. It also facilitates book club participation and helps manage your to-read list.

**Highlights:** Photo-based page logging, Visual book shelves, Goodreads synchronization, Import entire reading history, Detailed reading statistics, Book club features, Add books via cover photo

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plus (Monthly) | $6.00 | per month |
| Pro (Monthly) | $12.00 | per month |
| Full Shelfie (Monthly) | $18.00 | per month |
| Plus (Annual) | $58.00 | per year |
| Pro (Annual) | $114.99 | per year |
| Full Shelfie (Annual) | $172.99 | per year |
| Founders (Annual) | $299.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Softcover free?

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

### Is Shelvd free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Softcover or Shelvd?

Softcover is rated higher. Softcover averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Shelvd averages 3.9 from 11 ratings.

### Do Softcover or Shelvd have ads?

Neither Softcover nor Shelvd shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Softcover or Shelvd?

Softcover ships an update every 5 weeks, and Shelvd fortnightly. Most recently, Softcover was updated on October 30, 2026 and Shelvd on October 31, 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.*