Calibre View vs Bookshelf
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Calibre View
Browse and manage your Calibre ebook library on iOS devices. Connect to cloud storage or local files for fast searching, sorting, and filtering. Optimized for large collections and works offline once downloaded.
- Connect to cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, WebDAV)
- Browse library with metadata only
- Optimized for large libraries (15,000+ books)
- Customizable book list columns and sorting
- Fast search and filtering by tags, authors, series
- Download books locally for offline reading
- Supports multiple libraries and quick switching
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Calibre View lets you browse and search your Calibre ebook library on iPhone and iPad, using cloud storage or local files on your device. Connect your existing Calibre library and explore your entire collection with fast searching, flexible sorting, and powerful filtering, all in a clean, native iOS and iPadOS interface designed for libraries large and small. (Tested with a 16,000-book library!) Whether you want to quickly find a specific book or explore your collection by tags, authors, or series, Calibre View is built to stay responsive and organized, even with very large libraries. Key Features • Connect to Calibre libraries stored in Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, WebDAV, iCloud, or the Files app • Optionally upload only your metadata.db file to browse your library without downloading covers or books • Fast loading, even for huge libraries (a 16,000-book library opens in about 4 seconds) • Advanced search with AND, OR, NOT, exact phrases, and column searches like authors:austen or tags:"science fiction" • Customize which columns appear in the book list, similar to Calibre's desktop view, saved separately for each library • Sort by any Calibre column, including custom columns • Filter books instantly using tags, authors, series, and other metadata fields • View detailed book information and customize what appears on the book details screen • Tap a tag or author in detail view to see every matching book, sorted just like your library • Long-press to copy titles, authors, tags, and summaries • Choose a column for Quick Filter to refine search results, authors, or tags • Covers are downloaded on demand only when viewing book details, saving bandwidth and storage • Download books locally and share or open them in other reading apps in any available format • Support for multiple libraries, with quick switching between them, even across different cloud services • Optimized layouts for both iPhone and iPad, including optional horizontal scrolling for portrait phone use • Works fully offline once a library is downloaded (covers and book downloads require connectivity) • Supports both light mode and dark mode Calibre View is free, with an optional tip jar for anyone who'd like to support development. Calibre View is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Calibre or its developers.
Bookshelf
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Bookshelf at 17.0 against Calibre View's 26.1. 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
Both are free to download. Calibre View sells 3 one-off in-app purchases 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.
Calibre View ships an update every 6 weeks, Bookshelf monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Calibre View | Bookshelf |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (6 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.1 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 45 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | DANIEL EDWARD LAMSON | Jorge Marco |
In-app purchases
Calibre View
- Small Tip$1.99
- Medium Tip$4.99
- Large Tip$9.99
Bookshelf
- Bookshelf Monthly$4.991 Month
- Bookshelf Yearly$34.991 Year








