Comparison

ShadowTimer vs Book Reading Light

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

Head to head
About

ShadowTimer

This app provides an immersive, atmospheric torch timer for tabletop role-playing games. It features a dynamic, burning torch that visually represents the passage of time, adding tension to gameplay. Designed for offline use with minimal distractions, it enhances the gaming experience.

Highlights
  • Animated, living torch flame
  • Customizable timer durations
  • Offline functionality
  • Clear, high-contrast visuals
  • Scalable text for all devices
  • Optional sound effects and haptics
  • Minimalist, distraction-free interface
Features
Read full description

ShadowTimer – A Torch Burns. Time Dies. ShadowTimer is a dark, atmospheric torch timer built for tabletop role-playing games where time matters — and light is life. Inspired by Shadowdark RPG and classic old-school dungeon crawling, ShadowTimer replaces abstract turn tracking with a living, burning torch. As the flame fades, tension rises. When it dies, consequences follow. No accounts. No cloud sync. No distractions. Just fire, time, and pressure. Core Features Single Torch Mode Run a single animated torch with a vivid, living flame Ignite, pause, resume, or extinguish the torch at any time Set custom durations from minutes to hours Time remains accurate even when the app is closed Optional sound effects, haptics, and spoken warnings Built for the Table ShadowTimer is designed to enhance the atmosphere at the table — not compete for attention. Optional Keep Screen On mode Clear, high-contrast visuals for low-light play Scalable text for phones and tablets Minimal interface with no clutter or interruptions Fully offline functionality Audio & Accessibility Atmospheric fire and interaction sounds Adjustable volume or full mute Optional vibration feedback Two font modes: ShadowFont — immersive and atmospheric EasyReader — clean and highly readable Settings and instructions always remain easy to read. Perfect for OSR Play ShadowTimer is ideal for: Shadowdark RPG Old-School Essentials Solo RPG play Dungeon crawls and hexcrawls Exploration-focused campaigns Light-as-resource systems Any game where time pressure matters No XP trackers. No character sheets. Just the clock, the flame, and what happens when it goes out. Privacy & Philosophy No accounts No ads No analytics No internet required All data stays on your device ShadowTimer is a tool — not a service. Light the torch. Hear it crackle. Watch the flame shrink. When it goes out… something happens.

About

Book Reading Light

This app transforms your device into a customizable reading lamp with various light modes and color presets. It also includes a book tracker to organize your reading list and notes. Enjoy a personalized reading experience without disturbing others.

Highlights
  • Full-screen warm reading light
  • Adjustable brightness
  • Multiple light modes
  • Book tracking and organization
  • Personal reading notes
  • Timer with fade-out
Features
Read full description

Book Reading Light transforms your screen into a warm, customizable reading lamp — perfect for reading in bed without disturbing anyone around you. Whether you prefer a warm white glow, a cozy candlelight flicker, or a cool moonlight tone, Book Reading Light has the perfect atmosphere for every reading mood. READING LIGHT - Full-screen warm light optimized for night reading - Adjustable brightness from dim to full - Multiple light modes: Solid, Lamp, Liquid, Gradient - Auto screen lock prevention — screen stays on while you read - Timer with fade-out: set a sleep timer and drift off naturally COLOR PRESETS - 12 handcrafted color presets including Warm White, Candle, Sunset, Ember, Golden Hour, Moonlight, Arctic, Daylight, Soft Mint, Rose Quartz, Lavender, and Amber - Choose your perfect reading atmosphere with one tap BOOK TRACKER - Track every book you read - Organize by status: Reading, Completed, Want to Read, Paused - Add cover color, author, total pages, and current page - Personal reading notes for each book - Search your library by title or author SETTINGS & AUTOMATION - Set a default color and brightness for quick start - Daily reading reminder notification - Fade Before Off — gradually dims the light before turning off PREMIUM - Unlock all 12 color presets - Access all light modes - Remove all limitations Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fYiwC67rk0Z0wLKEDEB5H2fwgGWtIXO2geZbrKkuNZA/edit?usp=sharing Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ShadowTimer4 screens
Book Reading Light4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: ShadowTimer at free against Book Reading Light's freemium. ShadowTimer also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. ShadowTimer sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Book Reading Light sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for ShadowTimer against 5.0 for Book Reading Light. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ShadowTimer ships an update every 2 months, Book Reading Light every 6 months. Both last shipped on October 8, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
ShadowTimer versus Book Reading Light: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShadowTimerBook Reading Light
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Number of ratings3 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB15 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMichael PaulickMNB DIGITAL LLC

Customer experience

ShadowTimer

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Book Reading Light

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ShadowTimer

One-time2
  • ShadowTimer$5.99
  • Bearer of the First Light$19.99
2 purchases

Book Reading Light

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly Premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is ShadowTimer free?
ShadowTimer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Book Reading Light free?
Book Reading Light is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ShadowTimer or Book Reading Light?
ShadowTimer and Book Reading Light are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do ShadowTimer or Book Reading Light have ads?
Neither ShadowTimer nor Book Reading Light shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ShadowTimer or Book Reading Light?
ShadowTimer ships an update every 2 months, and Book Reading Light every 6 months. Most recently, ShadowTimer was updated on October 8, 2026 and Book Reading Light on October 8, 2026.

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