CoreNodeReader vs Reading Log XL
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
CoreNodeReader
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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: โข 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. โข Direct Kavita integration Connect your own Kavita server and sync libraries, series, collections, favorites and reading progress. โข OPDS catalog support Add compatible OPDS catalogs and use them alongside your local and Kavita libraries. โข Local library Import EPUB and PDF files directly to your device or use any Cloud folder for your personal book library. โข 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. โข EPUB and PDF reading Read books and magazines with table of contents, bookmarks, notes, metadata, search and a focused reading interface. โข 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. โข Flexible library views Switch between icon, list and compact views. Filter by title, author, source, file type, series, collections and metadata. โข 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.
Reading Log XL
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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
Verdict
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
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.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CoreNodeReader | Reading Log XL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad โ better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Werner Stiglbauer | ihor Romanenko |
In-app purchases
CoreNodeReader
- Tip small$2.99
- Tip medium$3.99
- Tip large$5.99
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- CoreNodeReader Pro$8.99
- CoreNodeReader Pro Family$17.99
Reading Log XL
- Unlock the whole log$8.99









