BookBeat vs SimplyE
BookBeat
bookbeat.comSimplyE
librarysimplified.orgSide by side
| Figure | BookBeat | SimplyE |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €899/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Audiobook Apps | 8.3 (#6) | 7.4 (#30) |
| Integrations | BookBeat supports Apple CarPlay and Apple Watch. | Listed providers include OverDrive, Axis360, cloudLibrary, DPLA Exchange, EBSCO NoveList, BiblioBoard, Odilo, and RBdigital. |
| Support | BookBeat’s chatbot BookBetty is available 24/7, and the company also offers an FAQ and contact form. | Library Simplified service providers offer setup and onboarding, plus low-cost front-line support for libraries. |
Plans
In their own words
SimplyE
SimplyE was a free library e-reading app for browsing, borrowing, and reading e-books, with audiobook support from Findaway and OverDrive. Patrons could sign in once with a library card and reach materials from listed providers in one place, including OverDrive, Axis360, cloudLibrary, DPLA Exchange, EBSCO NoveList, BiblioBoard, Odilo, and RBdigital. The app connected to a library’s existing card web application and supported instant card sign-up through the app. Reading controls included font, font size, and background-color adjustments, plus OpenDyslexic and screen-reader compatibility. E-books could use Adobe DRM, while audiobooks used Findaway or OverDrive rights management. SimplyE was listed for Android, iOS, and web, but the app retired in August 2025. It did not render Kindle AZW files or Adobe-encrypted PDFs and did not work on e-ink devices. Library Simplified describes the platform as open-source and provides source code for organizational customization.