# Absorb vs CoreNodeReader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Absorb at none against CoreNodeReader's 5. Absorb also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). CoreNodeReader's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Absorb ships an update every 5 weeks, CoreNodeReader fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Absorb | CoreNodeReader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (163 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/absorb-for-audiobookshelf/id6760673498/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **163** | — |
| Positive reviews | 97.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 65 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nathan Poulson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1885644242) | [Werner Stiglbauer](https://appshunter.io/developer/6780907009) |

## What reviewers say

### Absorb

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/absorb-for-audiobookshelf/id6760673498)

This app provides a streamlined mobile experience for listening to audiobooks and podcasts from your self-hosted media server. Enjoy features like offline playback, chapter navigation, and listening statistics. It's a free, open-source solution with no ads or data collection.

**Highlights:** Offline listening, Chapter navigation, Sleep timer, Playback speed control, Home screen widgets, Listening statistics, CarPlay support

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### CoreNodeReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/corenodereader/id6780907007)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tip small | $2.99 | one-time |
| Tip medium | $3.99 | one-time |
| Tip large | $5.99 | one-time |
| CoreNodeReader Pro | $8.99 | one-time |
| CoreNodeReader Pro Family | $17.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Absorb free?

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

### Is CoreNodeReader free?

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

### Do Absorb or CoreNodeReader have ads?

Neither Absorb nor CoreNodeReader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Absorb or CoreNodeReader?

Absorb ships an update every 5 weeks, and CoreNodeReader fortnightly. Most recently, Absorb was updated on October 25, 2026 and CoreNodeReader 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.*