Bookends vs Decibel
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Bookends
Manage your research references and PDFs on your mobile device. Search online databases, import metadata, annotate PDFs, and organize your library. Offers basic functionality for free with optional one-time purchase and yearly subscription for advanced features like cloud sync and unlimited imports.
- Search online reference databases
- Import metadata and PDFs
- PDF annotation and markup
- Barcode scanning for references
- Cloud sync across devices
- Share online libraries
- Create multiple libraries
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Bookends is the reference management app you've been looking for. The basic version offers: • Search online sites directly (arXiv, Google Books, Google Scholar, JSTOR, the Library of Congress, PubMed, PubMed Central, and Semantic Scholar) or use the built-in browser (EZProxy-compliant) to download reference metadata and PDFs (access privileges required). Searches can return a maximum of 20 references, and only 50 references can be stored in your personal database. • Use unique identifiers such as DOI, PMID, ISBN, or arXiv id to autofill references. • View the text of PDF annotations in a note stream, and create your own with our powerful PDF markup engine. • Barcode scanning, one per day. • And many more features designed to help you discover, organize, and use reference information. Standard, one-time purchase ($14.99): • No limit on searches or importing. Premium, yearly subscription ($14.99). Requires a Standard purchase. • Cloud sync with all your iOS devices and Bookends for Mac (separate purchase). • Share online libraries with colleagues. • Scan documents with Mellel Mobile*. • Create multiple libraries. • Unlimited barcode scanning. • Extract PDF annotations with deep links to annotations and text. • Convenient UI to add PDF notes to the library. • Automate your actions with Shortcuts. * iPad-only. Requires a Mellel Mobile Premium subscription. Subscription is for one year and has an auto-renew option. The subscription can be managed in iOS -> Settings > [your name] > Subscriptions. A subscription will renew if it isn't canceled at least 24 hours before the renewal date. If the subscription is not renewed, Premium will be disabled but Standard will continue to work. Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Decibel
This app provides precise noise measurement with a real-time decibel gauge and a frequency analyzer for detailed acoustic analysis. It tracks minimum, average, and maximum levels, offering historical graphs for sound fluctuations. Ideal for professionals and enthusiasts needing accurate sound monitoring.
- Real-time decibel gauge
- Frequency analyzer (Hz)
- Min/Avg/Max decibel values
- Historical decibel graph
- Acoustic analysis tool
- Environmental noise monitoring
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The Decibel Meter app is designed for professionals and enthusiasts alike, with features that allow for precise noise measurement across a variety of environments. Equipped with a Frequency Analyzer, this app goes beyond simple decibel readings by offering the ability to measure the intensity of specific frequencies in hertz (Hz), making it an essential tool for tasks like acoustic analysis or environmental noise monitoring. Key Features of the Decibel Meter app include: • Decibel Gauge: A real-time visual representation of noise levels, perfect for quick assessments. • Noise Reference: Instantly displays current noise intensity for immediate feedback. • Min/Avg/Max Values: Shows the minimum, average, and maximum decibel levels during a session, providing comprehensive data. • Frequency Analyzer: Enables the selection of specific frequencies (Hz) for precise dB measurements, ideal for focused sound source analysis. • Graphical Representation: A historical graph tracks decibel levels over time, offering a detailed view of sound fluctuations. Whether you're monitoring a workplace for occupational noise compliance, or conducting an acoustic tuning of musical instruments, this app provides the precision and flexibility needed for all your sound measurement needs. The Frequency Analyzer further enhances this by giving you control over the specific frequencies you wish to analyze, helping you pinpoint noise issues in any environment. By incorporating decibel meter, frequency analysis, and sound level monitoring, this app ensures that users receive the most accurate and tailored sound measurements possible. Auto-Renewable Subscription Terms: - The payment will be charged to your Apple ID Account at confirmation of purchase. - The subscription renews automatically unless the auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. - Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of your selected subscription. - Your subscriptions can be managed, and auto-renewal can be turned off by going to your App Store Account Settings. Terms: https://sunshine-dev.com/?page_id=98
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bookends at 76% against Decibel's 0%. Bookends also leads on ratings volume (400 vs 5). Decibel's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Bookends sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year and Decibel sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Decibel holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bookends has 400 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 76% of Bookends's written reviews are positive against 0% of Decibel's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Bookends ships an update every 2 months, Decibel every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Bookends | Decibel |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (400 ratings) | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 76.4% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 400 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 114 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sonny Software, LLC | Sunshine Software Labs |
Customer experience
Bookends
Decibel
Bugs and requests
Bookends
Reported bugs
3 issues- Incompatibility with iCloud Optimized Storage
- Unreliable sync between desktop and mobile versions
- Occasional data loss or corruption
Requested features
4 requests- Nested folders and tags for better organization
- Automatic PDF metadata extraction
- Improved search and filtering capabilities
- Seamless integration with third-party services
Decibel
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Bookends
- Premium3 Months trial$14.991 Year
- Standard$14.99
Decibel
- Get Premium Annual Offer$9.991 Year
- 3 Days Free Trial Weekly VIP3 Days trial$9.997 Days
- Get Premium Monthly$19.991 Month
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- 7 Day Free Yearly VIP7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Get Premium Annual$49.991 Year
Questions
Is Bookends free?
Is Decibel free?
Which has better reviews, Bookends or Decibel?
Do Bookends or Decibel have ads?
Which is updated more often, Bookends or Decibel?
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