Comparison

Rousd vs Sumi Book

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

Head to head
About

Rousd

Features
Read full description

Reading doesn’t need to become another task to optimize. Rousd is a calm reading companion designed to help you make space for books and build a gentler relationship with reading. When you’re ready, begin a quiet session and put your phone down. Rousd keeps track without displaying elapsed time, countdowns, or goals. When you finish, you can see how long you read, choose the book, leave a note, or simply move on. Over time, your Diary becomes a personal record of time spent with books, while The Shelf gives finished books and reflections a home. Rousd doesn’t replace the book in your hands: it helps you return to it. Features: β€’ A hidden reading timer that stays out of sight while you read β€’ A calm reading ritual designed to reduce distraction β€’ Book search and attribution after each session β€’ Optional notes and reflections β€’ A Diary of past reading sessions β€’ A Shelf for finished books and reviews β€’ Manual logging for reading completed outside Rousd β€’ No account required No streaks. No badges. No pressure to read faster or more. Whether you read one page or one chapter, it still counts. Read without the rush.

About

Sumi Book

Features
Read full description

Sumi is a beautifully crafted, native reader for the books, manga and comics you already own or have the right to read. Sumi comes empty by design. It includes no catalog, no content, and no built-in sources β€” you decide what to read. Import your own files, or add a source by pasting the web address of a site you are entitled to access. Sumi is the elegant reading experience on top; the library is yours. A READER, NOT A LIBRARY β€’ Ships with zero content and zero pre-loaded sources β€’ Import your own files (.cbz / .zip) straight from the Files app β€’ Add your own source β€” nothing is bundled DESIGNED FOR READING β€’ A refined dark interface made for long sessions β€’ Smooth paged and continuous (webtoon) reading modes β€’ Right-to-left support for manga β€’ Remembers your place across your whole collection NO ADS, EVER Sumi shows no advertising. The reading view is just the page β€” nothing between you and your story. PREMIUM Unlock the full experience: β€’ Incognito mode β€” read without saving history or progress β€’ App Lock β€” guard your library with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode β€’ Backup & restore β€” export and recover your entire collection β€’ Premium themes β€” including the dusk-rose Sakura palette β€’ Offline downloads β€” keep what you're reading with you YOUR RESPONSIBILITY Sumi is a neutral reading tool. It is not affiliated with any website, publisher, or content, and cannot guarantee the availability of any third-party source. You are responsible for ensuring you have the right to access whatever you add. Please support the authors and publishers you love. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Rousd4 screens
Sumi Book4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Rousd at none against Sumi Book's 3. Sumi Book's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 days). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Sumi Book sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Rousd asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rousd ships an update every 10 days, Sumi Book every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Rousd versus Sumi Book: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRousdSumi Book
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 4 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details β€” not scored
Size49 MB51 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperGordon BrownOktay Demir

In-app purchases

None

Rousd

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Sumi Book

Subscriptions2
  • The Fine Press β€” Monthly$3.991 Month
  • The Fine Press β€” Annual$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • The Fine Press β€” Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Rousd free?
Rousd is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sumi Book free?
Sumi Book is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Rousd or Sumi Book have ads?
Neither Rousd nor Sumi Book shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rousd or Sumi Book?
Rousd ships an update every 10 days, and Sumi Book every 4 days. Most recently, Rousd was updated on October 25, 2026 and Sumi Book on October 24, 2026.

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