ToRead vs Offshelf
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ToRead
This app helps you focus on reading by providing a distraction-free environment. It quietly tracks your reading time, offers ambient sounds for relaxation, and displays your progress on your lock screen and home screen.
- Distraction-free reading sessions
- Ambient soundscapes
- Live Activity and Dynamic Island support
- Session history and editing
- Home Screen widget
- Minimalist interface
- Optional one-time tips
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ToRead is free to use — no paywalls, no subscriptions, and no ads. It’s designed to help you spend more time reading, without pressure, goals, or distractions. Start a reading session, put your phone down, and just read. ToRead quietly tracks your reading time, so you can build awareness of your habits without gamification, streaks, or competition. Designed for calm focus • One tap to start reading • Ambient sounds to help you relax (rain, ocean waves, birds, and more) • Live Activity on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island (supported devices) • Auto-end sessions, in case you forget • Session history with editing and manual entries • Home Screen widget with weekly reading stats • Minimal interface that stays out of the way Your reading time, simply recorded ToRead focuses on time, not speed or performance. Whether you read for 2 minutes or 2 hours, every session counts. Your reading history helps you reflect on how reading fits into your life — without judging it. Built with intention • Designed for iPhone • Light and dark themes designed for comfort • iCloud sync (when enabled) to keep your data across devices • Privacy-friendly: your data stays yours For readers who just want to read ToRead is for anyone who wants a quieter relationship with reading: • No social feeds • No challenges • No productivity pressure Just reading, at your own pace. Read when you want. Stop when you want. ToRead. Optional tips ToRead is free to use. If you enjoy the app, you can optionally leave a one-time tip to support its development. Tips are entirely optional and do not unlock features or affect functionality in any way. Legal • Privacy Policy: https://horchatastudio.com/toread/privacy/ • Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Offshelf
This app automatically tracks your reading time and progress by detecting when your phone is face-down. Easily import your library, set goals, and earn badges to build a consistent reading habit. All your data is stored locally for privacy.
- Automatic flip-to-read timer
- Manual timer option
- Barcode scanner for book addition
- Goodreads library import
- Reading streaks and badges
- Daily and yearly reading goals
- Detailed reading statistics
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Offshelf is the reading tracker that gets you off your phone and into your book. Place your phone face-down to start a session. Pick it up when you're done. Your reading time, pages, and streaks are tracked automatically. Import your entire library from Goodreads with a single CSV upload. Set daily and yearly reading goals. Earn badges as you build your habit. Watch your stats grow over time. HOW IT WORKS 1. Add a book by scanning its barcode or searching by title 2. Flip your phone face-down to start reading (or use the manual timer) 3. Pick up your phone when you're done — your session is logged automatically 4. Track your pages, set goals, and watch your reading habit take shape FEATURES • Flip-to-read — a distraction-free reading timer that keeps your phone out of the way • Manual timer — for reading on a Kindle, in bed, or anywhere the flip doesn't work • Barcode scanner — add books instantly • Goodreads import — bring your full reading history • Reading streaks — build consistency day by day • Badges and milestones — celebrate your progress • Daily and yearly goals — stay motivated • Detailed stats — pages, time, sessions, pace, and more • Shareable cards — show off when you finish a book PRIVATE BY DESIGN Offshelf stores everything on your device. No account required. No servers. No data collection. We don't know what you're reading — and we never will. Your reading life is yours alone.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Offshelf at none against ToRead's 3. Offshelf also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On price, ads and monetization model 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. ToRead sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Offshelf asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | ToRead | Offshelf |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Francisco Martinez | Austin Burgard |
Customer experience
ToRead
Offshelf
In-app purchases
ToRead
- Small tip$0.99
- Medium tip$2.99
- Large tip$4.99
Offshelf
No in-app purchases





