HydraShelf vs Voca Player
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HydraShelf
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HydraShelf è un client iPhone per Audiobookshelf pensato per accedere in modo rapido alla tua libreria audio personale. Collega il tuo server con la tua API key e ritrova subito librerie, contenuti recenti, statistiche di ascolto e progresso reale del tuo account. Puoi esplorare la libreria, cercare nuovi podcast, aggiungerli al server e scaricare episodi direttamente sul telefono.
Voca Player
Stream audiobooks from your personal media server, including local files, Plex, or Audiobookshelf. Enjoy features like companion file playback, offline downloads, and customizable playback controls. Organize your entire library with ease and enjoy a privacy-focused listening experience.
- Stream from personal media servers (Local, Plex, Audiobookshelf)
- Companion file playback (maps, liner notes, PDFs)
- Offline downloads with one-time purchase
- Apple Watch transfer and controls
- Adjustable playback speed and sleep timer
- Gapless playback and chapter navigation
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Voca is a beautifully simple audiobook player for your personal media server. Connect to your Local, Plex or Audiobookshelf library and start listening in seconds — at home or on the go. Stream from your own server Voca connects directly to your Local Files, Plex Media Server or Audiobookshelf instance. No third-party cloud. No subscriptions. Your library, your way. Extras Built-in Companion files stored alongside the audio — things like maps, liner notes, author commentary, or the full text of the book as a PDF or EPUB. Voca includes these automatically alongside your audiobook. Take it offline Unlock unlimited downloads with a single one-time purchase. Download your audiobooks over Wi-Fi and listen anywhere — no internet required. Transfer your Audiobook to your Apple Watch. Built for listening • Gapless playback across multi-file audiobooks • Lock screen and Control Centre controls • Bluetooth headphone support — single press to skip 30 seconds, double press to jump chapters • Adjustable playback speed from 0.5× to 3.0× • Sleep timer with volume fade (15m, 30m, 1h, end of chapter, and more) • Double-tap the cover art to navigate chapters instantly Your whole library, beautifully organised Browse thousands of books in a fast, searchable grid. An A–Z jump bar lets you leap straight to any section — no endless scrolling. Privacy first Voca never touches your data. Everything stays between your device and your own server. Offline Downloads for Player and Apple Watch require a one-time in-app purchase.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HydraShelf at none against Voca Player's 1. HydraShelf also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 5 days). Voca Player's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (4 vs 1). On price and iOS requirement 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. Voca Player sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. HydraShelf asks for nothing beyond the download.
HydraShelf ships an update daily, Voca Player every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HydraShelf | Voca Player |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Daily — better | Every 5 days |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 17 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Federico Sebastiani | VeloSec |
In-app purchases
HydraShelf
No in-app purchases
Voca Player
- Offline Playback$9.99









