Bookends vs Softalmology
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/
Softalmology
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Softalmology is an all in one solution for ophthalmic clinics. We provide you will a single platform that is easily accesible from your phone or any computer without the need of installations, just a web browser. You will get features like: -Electronic Health Records -Complete booking system -Single click daily income calculator -Statistics on average time spent per patient -Automated system for appointment reminders -First time patients filling forms -Fully customizable interface to perfectly fit your clinic -Secure account management system with access restrictions -Secure information storage and communication -Internal communication system with alerts and notifications -Support to convert your voice to text when filling medical records -Autocomplete for repetitive medical records fields -Add any fields you want to your medical records -Customizable list of services and prices offered -Private notes system for more personalized care of patients This app is the mobile version and helper tool to the desktop version. This app is intended to serve from a small clinic to large enterprise. New features will be coming soon and we always listen to feedback or any special request you might need.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Softalmology at none against Bookends's 2. Softalmology also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.6). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Bookends sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Softalmology asks for nothing beyond the download.
Bookends ships an update every 2 months, Softalmology every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Bookends | Softalmology |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (400 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 76.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 400 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 114 MB | 78 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Sonny Software, LLC | Coding Solved LLC |
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
Softalmology
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Bookends
- Premium3 Months trial$14.991 Year
- Standard$14.99
Softalmology
No in-app purchases









