BookPlayer vs Kobo Books

BookPlayer is an audiobook player for DRM-free audiobooks, available on iOS, Android, and macOS. It plays M4B, M4A, MP3, and FLAC files, with chapter navigation, speed controls, smart rewind, volume boost, and an adjustable sleep timer. Library tools track progress, mark books finished, sort titles, and organize them into playlists or folders. Audiobooks can be imported through AirDrop, Files, iTunes File Sharing, ZIP archives, or personal Audiobookshelf and Jellyfin servers. On Android, users can also download or stream from those servers, including through Quick Connect and single sign-on. BookPlayer supports Audiobookshelf and Jellyfin, and automatic library tracking on Hardcover. VoiceOver support is listed for iOS and TalkBack for Android. The free plan includes core playback. BookPlayer Pro adds cloud sync, standalone Apple Watch playback, themes, and alternative app icons. Pro stores library files, progress, and bookmarks on its servers; its subscription is payable monthly or annually, with the price displayed in the app. The iOS project is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0.

Kobo Books is a digital platform for buying and listening to audiobooks, with apps for iOS and Android and playback on select Kobo eReaders with Bluetooth. The mobile app lets listeners pause, fast-forward, rewind, and resume playback. Downloaded audiobooks can be played on a smartphone or tablet without an internet connection, and Bluetooth headphones or speakers can be used with the app. Kobo Plus Listen costs $7.99 a month after a 14-day free trial, plus applicable taxes. Kobo Plus Read & Listen costs $9.99 a month after the trial, plus applicable taxes. These subscriptions include audiobooks, or eBooks and audiobooks in the latter plan, but neither includes every title. Subscription credits also apply only to eligible audiobooks. Audiobooks cannot be played in the Kobo Desktop app or on a laptop or desktop computer. On iOS, audiobook purchases must be made through Kobo.com because the app does not support in-app purchases. Kobo Plus members can open up to 15 books offline in an eReader or app during a 30-day period before reconnecting and syncing. Kobo is based in Toronto and was founded in December 2009.