Comparison

CoreNodeReader vs Reading Log XL

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

Head to head
About

CoreNodeReader

Features
Read full description

CoreNode Reader is a modern e-book reader optimized for iPad but also running on iPhone, built for readers who want full control over their digital library. The app brings together local books, Kavita servers and OPDS catalogs in one clean reading experience. Read EPUBs and PDFs, browse large libraries, filter by title or author, manage favorites, and keep your reading progress in sync across devices. Highlights: โ€ข One unified library Combine multiple sources into one library view. Local books, Kavita libraries and OPDS catalogs can be shown together or filtered separately, so your entire collection feels like one organized bookshelf. โ€ข Direct Kavita integration Connect your own Kavita server and sync libraries, series, collections, favorites and reading progress. โ€ข OPDS catalog support Add compatible OPDS catalogs and use them alongside your local and Kavita libraries. โ€ข Local library Import EPUB and PDF files directly to your device or use any Cloud folder for your personal book library. โ€ข Cross-device sync Synchronize reading progress, favorites, recently read books, bookmarks, notes, reader profiles and settings between devices. CoreNode Reader supports Apple ecosystem sync and also offers file-based sync for exchanging reading data between iOS, iPadOS and Android devices. โ€ข EPUB and PDF reading Read books and magazines with table of contents, bookmarks, notes, metadata, search and a focused reading interface. โ€ข Built for self-hosting CoreNode Reader is designed for people who want to manage their own books, catalogs and servers instead of being locked into a single store or platform. โ€ข Flexible library views Switch between icon, list and compact views. Filter by title, author, source, file type, series, collections and metadata. โ€ข Customizable reading experience Adjust font size, line height, margins, theme, layout and brightness to match your preferred reading style. CoreNode Reader is optimized for iPad and also works on iPhone. It is ideal for EPUBs, PDFs, magazines, OPDS catalogs and self-hosted libraries in one unified app.

About

Reading Log XL

Features
Read full description

Reading Log XL is a reading log and book tracker: it records reading minutes, pages and books, and makes a one page PDF reading report for the teacher. Pay once, no subscription. ONE BUTTON A DAY Tap "I read today", pick the minutes, save. A built-in timer counts a reading session for you if you want it to. YOUR BOOKSHELF Keep three shelves โ€” reading now, finished, want to read. Title, author, page count, a coloured spine instead of a cover. No sign-up, no social feed, no reviews to scroll. A REPORT FOR SCHOOL Make a one-page PDF for a teacher or a parent: days read, minutes, pages and the books behind them. Pick 7 days, 30 days, a year or everything. GOALS AND STREAKS Set a daily goal in minutes and watch the streak build. Weekly and monthly totals show whether the habit is holding. PRIVATE BY DEFAULT Everything stays on your iPhone. No account, no cloud, no ads, no analytics. Works on a plane. SIMPLE PRICE The free version always saves everything you log and shows the last 30 days plus three books at a time. One purchase unlocks the full history, unlimited books and PDF reports forever. No subscription.

Screenshots

CoreNodeReader4 screens
Reading Log XL4 screens

Verdict

The call

CoreNodeReader and Reading Log XL are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters โ€” price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them โ€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. CoreNodeReader sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Reading Log XL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
CoreNodeReader versus Reading Log XL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCoreNodeReaderReading Log XL
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size14 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWerner Stiglbauerihor Romanenko

In-app purchases

5 purchases

CoreNodeReader

One-time5
  • Tip small$2.99
  • Tip medium$3.99
  • Tip large$5.99
Show 2 more
  • CoreNodeReader Pro$8.99
  • CoreNodeReader Pro Family$17.99
1 purchases

Reading Log XL

One-time1
  • Unlock the whole log$8.99

Questions

Is CoreNodeReader free?
CoreNodeReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reading Log XL free?
Reading Log XL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CoreNodeReader or Reading Log XL have ads?
Neither CoreNodeReader nor Reading Log XL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CoreNodeReader or Reading Log XL?
CoreNodeReader ships an update fortnightly, and Reading Log XL fortnightly. Most recently, CoreNodeReader was updated on October 25, 2026 and Reading Log XL on October 24, 2026.

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