plappa: Self-hosted Audiobooks

Description of App

plappa only works in connection with a Jellyfin or AudioBookShelf media server!

plappa is an audiobook player/client for Jellyfin, Emby and AudioBookShelf, the popular self-hosted media server.

Features: - Support for most common audio formats - Purpose built for audiobooks - Save and sync playback states via iCloud or your AudioBookShelf server - Reads metadata like author, narrator and others - Download audiobooks and podcast episodes for offline listening* - Support for podcasts, collections and series with AudioBookShelf

plappa allows you to unlock additional features like downloads and customization options through optional in-app purchases: You can choose between a one-time purchase or an auto-renewing subscription (1 month free trial included). The one-time purchase unlocks all current and future updates. With the subscription, all features are available for the duration of your subscription. Both the subscription and one-time purchase can be shared with your family.

Version

1.5.1

Free or Paid

Free With In-App Purchase

Apple Watch Support

Device(s) App Was Tested On

iPhone

iOS Version

18.3

Accessibility Comments

One misleading thing is the player, to VoiceOver, appears at the top of the app, not at the bottom. Although, that could be a setting I changed somewhere and just haven't bothered to change it again. When viewing chapters in an M4B book or other chapter supported format, the, selected, chapter names are the chapters you've listened to instead of the one that's currently playing but this also is very easy to get used to. The, download button, for a book is currently labeled as a down arrow at the top of a book detail page rather than the button being called, download, but it's still accessible via double tap.

VoiceOver Performance

VoiceOver reads most page elements.

Button Labeling

Most buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

There are some minor accessibility issues with this app, but they are easy to deal with.

Other Comments

This app only works if you have a self hosted AudiobookShelf instance or similar. I've often found the app doesn't always register when I've deleted a book from my server. It still appears in my library. Overall, though, even with the quirks, this is a fantastic alternative to Audible and similar apps. I haven't tried the podcast feature nor the reading of ePubs on this app yet nor do I see myself trying these features anytime soon. Audio quality is impressive and isn't a huge tax on your server if you're streaming your audiobooks such as I am.

App Store Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/plappa/id6475201956

Developer's Website

https://plappa.me/

Recommendations

1 people have recommended this app

Most recently recommended by Robert Kingett 1 week 5 days ago

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