BookBeat vs Prologue
BookBeat
bookbeat.comPrologue
prologue.audioSide by side
| Figure | BookBeat | Prologue |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €899/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 5 |
| Spec score · Audiobook Apps | 8.3 (#6) | 7.6 (#25) |
| Integrations | BookBeat supports Apple CarPlay and Apple Watch. | The app lists Plex and Audiobookshelf as supported library servers. |
| Support | BookBeat’s chatbot BookBetty is available 24/7, and the company also offers an FAQ and contact form. | The maker directs users to report issues or get in touch from its release page. |
Plans
Prologue
- FreeFree
- Prologue for Apple Watch$4.99, paid once
- Premium (Family Upgrade)$7.99, paid once
- Premium$9.99, paid once
- Premium (Family)$17.99, paid once
In their own words
Prologue
Prologue is a self-hosted audiobook player for Plex and Audiobookshelf libraries. It can connect to either service or both, with offline downloads, collections, series, bookmarks, a reading list, statistics, and playback history. Playback controls include per-book settings, sleep timers, smart rewind after pauses, Voice Boost, and an equalizer. The maker lists iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Siri, widgets, and CarPlay support, with macOS also listed as a platform. Apple Watch can stream books being read or on the reading list, download books for offline listening, and use widgets and complications. Prologue says library data remains on your devices and that it does not store or handle Plex or Audiobookshelf passwords; access tokens are stored on-device. It collects pseudonymous usage and Apple Ads attribution data, and uses Sentry for crash reports that may include device and operating-system details. The App Store listing requires iOS 26.5 or later and lists iPad, Mac with Apple M1 or later, Apple Vision, and Apple Watch compatibility.