Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
BookBeat vs Readability
What sets them apart
| Compare | BookBeat ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Readability |
|---|---|---|
| Price per month | €9.99 | $19.99 |
| Price from | €9.99 | $19.99 |
| Free trial length | 60 daysHigher | 30 days |
| Access model | Hour cap | Unlimited |
| Monthly listening cap (hours) | 20 to 100 | Not confirmed |
| Titles in the catalogue | 1,000,000 | Not confirmed |
| Offline use | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Student discount | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Markets | AT | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Family profiles (Yes).
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Key differences
- Readability scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Free trial length is higher at BookBeat: 60 days vs 30 days.
- Support channels: only Readability offers Email, Phone.
- Content types: only BookBeat offers Audiobooks.
Our verdict on each
BookBeat
BookBeat suits readers in AT who want audiobooks and ebooks on a single subscription and a set monthly budget. The trade-off is the hour cap: 1,000,000 titles sit behind 20 to 100 hours of listening a month, so heavy readers should measure their habit before signing up.
Readability
Readability pairs a free trial lesson with a 30 days trial window, so a household can judge reading support before paying anything. It suits families with children building English reading skills who want family profiles and app based lessons under a single monthly plan.
Score breakdown
| Area | BookBeat | Readability |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Monthly plan of €9.99 and entry price of €9.99, under the category median monthly price of €11.43. | 9.3The monthly plan is $19.99 and the subscription is $19.99, above Starfall at $5.99. |
| Offer | 9.3Trial of 60 days, 1,000,000 titles, family profiles, offline listening and a student discount. | 9.6HigherThe trial lesson is free and the window runs 30 days, with app lessons and family profiles. |
| Trust | 8.7Run by BookBeat GmbH, founded in 2015, with support running on chat and help centre. | Not confirmed |
Choosing between them
Pick BookBeat if free trial length matter most.
Pick Readability if offer matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | BookBeat | Readability |
|---|---|---|
| Audiobook, ebook and book-summary apps | 6 of 24 | 2 of 24 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BookBeat | Readability |
|---|---|---|
| Content types | Audiobooks, EbooksCovers more | Ebooks |
| Legal entity | BookBeat GmbH | Readability |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | 2015 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centre, ChatCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BookBeat | Readability | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial length | 60 dayshighest quarter | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Monthly listening cap (hours) | 20 to 100at the median | Not confirmed | 100 |
| Titles in the catalogue | 1,000,000highest quarter | Not confirmed | 240,000 |
Median across 19 listed providers.
Pros and cons
BookBeat
Pros
- The free trial lasts 60 days, and BookBeat ranks 1 of 16 brands compared on trial length.
- The catalogue holds 1,000,000 titles, against a category median of 240,000.
- Family profiles are included, so a household can share a single subscription instead of opening separate ones.
Cons
- Support runs on chat and help centre only, with no phone line in the listed channels for anyone who prefers to talk the problem through.
- Access is metered by the hour, hour cap, with 20 to 100 hours a month, so long listening sessions have to be spread across the month.
- The plan is listed for AT only, so readers in other markets see no local price from BookBeat.
Readability
Pros
- A free trial lesson alongside a 30 days trial window lets a family watch real reading progress before any money changes hands.
- Access is unlimited and the library is made up of ebooks, so enthusiastic readers are not held to a set amount of reading.
- Family profiles are supported, so siblings each get their own level under the same Readability plan.
Cons
- The Readability subscription is $19.99, above Starfall at $5.99, so cost first households have cheaper options.
- The subject list is english, and Schülerhilfe spans math, english and science for families wanting more than reading.
- The library holds ebooks, with no audio titles listed for children who prefer listening.
Who each suits
BookBeat
Who it suits
- Readers in AT who want audiobooks and ebooks covered by the same subscription.
- Households planning to share through family profiles and to download titles for offline listening.
- Students with a discount, who can test the service over 60 days before paying.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who would rather not count hours: BookBeat caps listening at 20 to 100 a month, and AfriKDP at $3 a month costs less for light use.
- Anyone outside AT, where Audible at CAD 8.99 a month and Readability at $19.99 a month are the listed comparisons instead.
Readability
Who it suits
- Families with children building English reading skills who want app lessons they can use on their own.
- Parents who want every child reading on the same plan, since family profiles are supported.
- Households comfortable with a company headquartered in the US.
Who should look elsewhere
- Families that need a wider subject range: Schülerhilfe covers math, english and science.
- Households chasing the lowest monthly cost: Starfall lists $5.99 and Duden Learnattack lists €6.63 to €19.97.
Current offers
BookBeat
Current offer
Free trial
60 days free trial: 60 days
30 listening and reading hours included
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Readability
Current offer
Free trial
Try 30 days free: 30 days free
Free trial for up to 3 reader profiles; a credit card is required upfront to verify the user, and cancellation must happen at least 24 hours before the trial ends to avoid charges
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Questions about each
BookBeat
What does BookBeat cost each month?+
The standard BookBeat monthly plan is €9.99, and the starting price quoted for the subscription is €9.99. They are published as separate figures, so the amount at entry and the amount that recurs each month can be weighed on their own terms.
How long is the BookBeat free trial?+
The free trial runs 60 days, and BookBeat ranks 1 of 16 brands compared on trial length. For scale, the median trial in this category runs 30 days.
Readability
How much does Readability cost, and does the price change?+
The introductory price on the Readability monthly plan is $19.99, and the monthly plan price is $19.99. The subscription price quoted for the plan is $19.99. Readers weighing cost at entry and again at renewal can work from those figures directly.
Is there a free trial before paying?+
A free trial lesson comes with the membership, and the free trial window runs 30 days. That gives a family room to watch a child's reading habits over a full stretch of practice, rather than judging the plan from a first sitting and deciding on the spot.