Comparison

Codex Books vs Bookward

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

Head to head
About

Codex Books

Features
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Codex helps you build and organize a personal book library from the books around you. Scan a book cover with your camera, pick a photo from your library, scan an ISBN barcode, or search by title, author, or ISBN. Codex retrieves book details such as title, author, year, cover, description, and ISBN, then saves them into your library for quick browsing and lookup. Your collection can be sorted by author, year, or category, and books can be grouped into genres and adjusted manually when needed. You can also export your full library as JSON for backup or sharing. Features: - Scan book covers with OCR-based search - Scan ISBN barcodes with the camera - Search manually by title, author, or ISBN - Save title, author, year, category, description, cover, and ISBN - Organize books by author, year, and category - Edit categories and remove books from the library - Export your collection as JSON - Sync your library through iCloud - Codex is designed for readers who want a fast way to catalog physical books without maintaining a spreadsheet by hand.Note:In order to function, the app needs Google API with Books API access which can be configured via the app settings.

About

Bookward

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Make room for your next read. Bookward brings together your personal library, reading log, and a nook you can make your ownโ€”so every book feels worth returning to. YOUR LIBRARY, IN ORDER Organize books you want to read, are currently reading, have finished, or chose not to finish. Create collections, group series, and save notes, ratings, and rereads. Find your next book in your TBR without losing sight of the stories you already enjoyed. A BOOKSHELF THAT FEELS LIKE YOURS Place books on the shelves, change their order, and personalize your nook with styles and decorations. Use catalog covers or photos of your own books to give each edition a personal look. ADD BOOKS YOUR WAY Search by title, author, or ISBN; scan a barcode; or use the camera to recognize text from a cover or spine. You can also add books manually and import a compatible Goodreads CSV. MAKE MORE TIME TO READ Start a timed reading session or read with no time limit. If you choose, use Screen Time to block selected apps while you read. Set reminders and a daily goal that fits your routine. SEE YOUR PROGRESS Log minutes and pages, explore your reading calendar, and follow your streaks and stats. Set an annual reading challenge and celebrate every finished book. Add or correct past sessions to keep your reading history accurate. YOUR NOOK, BEYOND THE APP Check your current read from widgets and create images to share your bookshelf or progress. Use Bookward as a guest, or sign in with Apple or Google for account features and private cloud backups that you control. Bookward organizes and tracks your reading. It does not provide ebooks or audiobooks to read or listen to. PREMIUM ACCESS Bookward features require a subscription or a lifetime access purchase. Available plans, prices, and any free trial are shown before you confirm. Trials depend on availability and eligibility. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel them in your Apple Account settings. Lifetime access is a one-time purchase. Privacy Policy: https://getbookward.com/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://getbookward.com/terms/ Apple EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Codex Books4 screens
Bookward4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Codex Books at none against Bookward's shown. Bookward's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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. Codex Books sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Bookward sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Codex Books ships an update every 3 days, Bookward every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 4 level
Codex Books versus Bookward: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodex BooksBookward
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 days โ€” betterEvery 5 days
AdsNo โ€” betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.016.4 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size6 MB192 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShinro OUDaniel De Azcarate Munoz

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Codex Books

One-time1
  • Unlimited Library (Lifetime)$5.99
10 purchases

Bookward

Subscriptions9
  • Bookward Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Bookward Monthly - Trial 3d3 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Bookward Weekly$5.997 Days
Show 6 more
  • Bookward Monthly - Trial 7d7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Bookward Annual Special Offer$24.491 Year
  • Annual Rescue - 3 Days Free3 Days trial$24.491 Year
  • Annual Rescue - 7 Days Free7 Days trial$24.491 Year
  • Bookward Annual - Trial 3d3 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • Bookward Annual - Trial 7d7 Days trial$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Bookward Lifetime$44.99

Questions

Is Codex Books free?
Codex Books is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bookward free?
Bookward is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Codex Books or Bookward have ads?
Bookward shows ads; Codex Books does not.
Which is updated more often, Codex Books or Bookward?
Codex Books ships an update every 3 days, and Bookward every 5 days. Most recently, Codex Books was updated on October 31, 2026 and Bookward on November 6, 2026.

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