ReadByte
ReadByte is a cloud-based online school library and reading platform for UK primary schools, secondary schools, and multi-academy trusts.
What ReadByte is
ReadByte is a cloud-based online school library and reading platform for UK primary schools, secondary schools, and multi-academy trusts. Bookshelf supports cataloguing, circulation, overdue reminders, self-service borrowing, reporting, and MARC import and export. Reading Diary lets pupils record, rate, review, and reflect on books while teachers and parents follow reading frequency, pace, difficulty, and progress. Book Club provides clubs, selected books, discussions, challenges, and participation reports. Connected trusts, federations, and networks can request and lend resources between libraries while tracking shared stock. The browser service works on computers, tablets, and phones without installation. ReadByte says migration from another system is included, and setup for schools starting from scratch takes 15 minutes. Listed plans are MIS Sync and Bookclub at £99.00 per year, Reading Diary at £199.00 per year, and Bookshelf & Reading Diary at £299.00 per year. A 12-month free year-of-reading offer is advertised. Data is hosted in the UK on Microsoft Azure.
Good
- Works in browsers on computers, tablets, and phones
- Includes cataloguing, circulation, and self-service
- Tracks reading pace, difficulty, and progress
- Supports Book Clubs and network lending
- Migration is included from another system
Watch out
- No free plan is listed
- Annual plans range from £99.00 to £299.00
- Integrations are described as expanding, without named systems
- Customer data is retained for contract plus 60 days
Who it suits
ReadByte suits schools and trusts managing collections while supporting reading development across pupils, teachers, parents, and library leaders. It fits organizations wanting browser access, migration support, circulation tools, and reading progress information.
Verdict
ReadByte combines school library administration with pupil reading records, clubs, and network resource sharing. Its browser delivery and migration support are useful, while schools should review plan costs and retention terms.
Plans and prices
From ReadByte's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| MIS Sync | £99 a year | MIS Sync · /year |
| Bookclub | £99 a year | Bookclub · /year |
| Reading Diary | £199 a year | Reading Diary · /year |
| Bookshelf & Reading Diary | £299 a year | Library management · Reading Diary · /year |
The facts
Each one read from ReadByte's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Book clubs
- Book Club lets schools create clubs, choose books, run discussions and challenges, and view participation reports.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Compatibility
- Bookshelf works on computers, tablets, and phones through a standard browser without installation.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Data handling
- ReadByte says it acts as data processor, collects the minimum data needed for the contracted service, and removes personally identifiable information after the contract.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Data retention
- The GDPR page says customer data is retained for the contract plus 60 days after termination, then securely deleted unless legally required otherwise.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Hosting provider
- ReadByte says it uses Microsoft Azure, which it describes as accredited to SOC 2 and ISO 27001 standards.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Integrations
- Bookshelf integrates with school management systems using Wonde for automatic student and staff data updates.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Intended users
- ReadByte describes the platform as designed for primary schools, secondary schools, and multi-academy trusts in the UK.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Library management
- The platform supports book cataloguing, issuing resources, overdue management, and pupil self-service.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Library Network
- Schools in a trust, federation, or other network can request and loan resources between connected libraries and track shared stock.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Library tools
- Bookshelf supports catalogue management, circulation, overdue reminders, self-service borrowing, reporting, and MARC import and export.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Migration
- Data migration is included when moving from another system.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Migration and setup
- The homepage says data migration is included when moving from another system and setup takes 15 minutes for schools starting from scratch.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Offer
- The homepage advertises a year-of-reading offer of 12 months free with no obligation.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Product
- ReadByte is an online school library and reading platform for UK primary schools, secondary schools, and multi-academy trusts.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- ReadByte is an online school library platform for managing collections, supporting reading development, and connecting school and home.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Reading diary
- Pupils can record, rate, and review books, while teachers and parents can follow reading habits and progress.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Reading insights
- It tracks reading frequency, pace, book difficulty, and pupil reflections to help schools understand reading progress.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Reading support
- Its Reading Diary lets pupils record and reflect on books while teachers and parents follow reading frequency, pace, difficulty, and progress.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Retention detail
- The GDPR page says customer data is kept for the contract plus 60 days, then securely deleted unless legally required otherwise.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Security
- ReadByte says it encrypts connections and databases, uses strict access controls, and hosts personal data in the UK.checked 7 Oct 2001
Money
- Free trial
- The pricing page offers 12 months free with no obligation, after which the school chooses whether to continue.checked 7 Oct 2001
The company
- Headquarters
- United Kingdomchecked 28 Sep 2001
- Maker
- ReadByte describes itself as a UK-based education software company whose team has over 35 years of combined education technology experience.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Maker experience
- The maker says its team has over 35 years of combined experience in education technology and school library systems.checked 7 Oct 2001
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