# Softcover vs Spine

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Spine at 86% against Softcover's 33%. Spine also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 5). Softcover's advantage is iOS requirement (18.5 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Softcover sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Spine asks for nothing beyond the download.

Spine holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spine has 30 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Softcover's written reviews are positive against 86% of Spine's.

Softcover ships an update every 6 weeks, Spine every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Softcover | Spine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/softcover/id6753820163/reviews) | **[4.8 (30 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spine-audiobook-player/id6764636615/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **30** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 27 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.5** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Robin Bolinsson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1844702769) | [Accelyze Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895859588) |

## What reviewers say

### Softcover

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

Track your reading progress, manage book lists, and connect with a community of readers. Discover new titles, follow friends, and engage in discussions. Features include detailed statistics, release notifications, and home screen widgets.

**Highlights:** Track reading progress (page/percentage/time), Manage reading lists (Currently Reading, Want to Read, Finished), Follow friends and explore trending titles, Community book discussions and curated lists, Detailed reading statistics and annual goals, Release notifications for anticipated books, Home screen widgets for reading progress

**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 |


### Spine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spine-audiobook-player/id6764636615)

This app enhances audiobook listening with features like listener levels, daily streaks, and shareable year-end recaps. It offers a beautiful, integrated player and syncs with Hardcover, all while keeping your data private on-device.

**Highlights:** Integrated audiobook player, Listener levels and daily streaks, Hardcover sync, On-device AI summaries, Shareable year-in-review recap, Lock screen and widget controls

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Softcover free?

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

### Is Spine free?

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

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

Spine is rated higher. Softcover averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Spine averages 4.8 from 30 ratings.

### Do Softcover or Spine have ads?

Neither Softcover nor Spine shows ads.

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

Softcover ships an update every 6 weeks, and Spine every 4 days. Most recently, Softcover was updated on October 28, 2026 and Spine on October 25, 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.*