Comparison

Reader Audiobooks vs Compendium Audiobooks

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

Head to head
About

Reader Audiobooks

Features
Read full description

Reader brings your personal audiobooks and podcasts into one player. Create separate audiobook libraries for each source and manage only the folders you choose—Reader does not scan an entire device or cloud drive. Key features: - Enjoy adaptive iPhone and iPad layouts, including split views and a spacious wide-screen player on iPad - Build libraries from local folders, Google Drive, or iCloud Drive - Scan only a selected folder and its subfolders - Recognize M4B, M4A, and MP3 files and group multi-track audiobooks - Display book covers with less repeated loading and network use - Play local files directly and stream supported remote sources - Remember listening position and sync progress when supported by a connected network media library - Continue playback in the background and use lock-screen or headset controls - Rescan, update, or remove each library independently - Discover recommended podcasts without a Reader account, search Apple Podcasts by keyword, or paste a public RSS/Atom address - Preview and play a podcast before following it; remember listening progress on this device - Return to recently played podcast episodes from Listening History - Listen within a show from oldest to newest or newest to oldest, with continuous playback and progress restored after reopening the app - Permanently unlock unlimited audiobook libraries and books, plus compatible network media libraries and read-only WebDAV connections Google Drive access is read-only. Remove a connected library from Reader without deleting the original audio files. Podcast discovery, search, following, and listening are free and separate from audiobook library limits. Podcast feeds, artwork, and audio come from their publishers and delivery services; Reader does not host or sell those programmes and does not provide podcast downloads. Apple search filters out shows marked explicit by default. You can change this setting, and Reader remembers your choice. This filter applies only to Apple search results; it does not restrict recommendations, direct RSS or followed shows, verify age, or guarantee content is suitable for younger listeners. For audiobooks, the free version supports local folders, Google Drive, and iCloud Drive, with one library containing up to 10 books in total. A one-time Permanent Unlock removes those library and book limits and enables compatible network media libraries and WebDAV. It is not a subscription and does not purchase podcast content. Purchases and purchase restoration are handled through the Apple App Store.

About

Compendium Audiobooks

Access a vast library of classic literature and philosophy as audiobooks. Enjoy chapter-by-chapter playback with adjustable speed and background listening. Start with free first chapters and unlock more content with an account.

Highlights
  • 690+ audiobooks library
  • Chapter-by-chapter playback
  • Adjustable playback speed
  • Background audio playback
  • Save progress across sessions
  • No sign-up required for free chapters
Features
Read full description

The great books. Beautifully read. Compendium is a library of 1,100+ classic audiobooks, from Plato and Marcus Aurelius to Austen, Dostoevsky, Shelley, Nietzsche and Poe. The text of every book is on screen while you listen. The first chapter of every book plays free, with no account needed. LISTEN AND READ - Switch between Listen and Read at any time. The sentence being read is highlighted as it plays. - Two narrators on selected titles, Nathaniel and Amelia. Switch mid-chapter without losing your place. THE LIBRARY - 1,100+ titles in philosophy, classic and literary fiction, gothic and horror, adventure, mystery, poetry, drama and history - Over 10,000 hours of listening, with new books added regularly THE PLAYER - Playback speed, 30-second skips, sleep timer and a chapter list - Background audio with lock-screen and Control Center controls - Download whole books to listen offline (subscribers) - Your place syncs across iPhone, Android and the web - Listening hours, books finished and your streak on the home screen - Share the line you're hearing as an Instagram Stories card - Add friends by username to see what they're reading ACCOUNTS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS A free account lets you keep one full book and saves your progress across devices. Full-library listening, account and subscription management happen on compendium.audio. Questions: support@compendium.audio

Screenshots

Reader Audiobooks4 screens
Compendium Audiobooks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Compendium Audiobooks at none against Reader Audiobooks's 1. On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Reader Audiobooks sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Compendium Audiobooks asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Reader Audiobooks versus Compendium Audiobooks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReader AudiobooksCompendium Audiobooks
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB8 MB
Age rating12+4+
Developer德书 林Compendium LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Reader Audiobooks

One-time1
  • Reader Permanent Unlock$5.99
None

Compendium Audiobooks

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reader Audiobooks free?
Reader Audiobooks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Compendium Audiobooks free?
Compendium Audiobooks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Reader Audiobooks or Compendium Audiobooks have ads?
Neither Reader Audiobooks nor Compendium Audiobooks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reader Audiobooks or Compendium Audiobooks?
Reader Audiobooks ships an update weekly, and Compendium Audiobooks weekly. Most recently, Reader Audiobooks was updated on October 7, 2026 and Compendium Audiobooks on October 31, 2026.

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