Custom Authors vs Time2Read: Read Time Estimator
Two Shopify apps, side by side: detected stores, momentum, reviews, plans, listed features and who runs each. Store counts as of Oct 13, 2026 for Custom Authors, Oct 14, 2026 for Time2Read.
The short answer
- On the Shopify App Store: Custom Authors 5.0 from 2 reviews and Time2Read 5.0 from 3 reviews.
- Paid plans start at $7.99/month for Custom Authors and $1.99/month for Time2Read.
- Custom Authors lists 2 features Time2Read’s listing doesn’t mention, including Author bio, Custom branding.
Head to head
Change author in your posts quickly and easily
Momentum
New reviews each month
Review pace is the clearest public read on how fast an app is winning new merchants.
Unlimited
- · Unlimited Authors
- · Unlimited Blogs
- · Unlimited Changes
PREMIUM
- · Easy install
- · Fully customizable
- · No coding
- · Priority support
Coverage counts what each App Store listing names. Every feature, checked off app by app, is in Shoplist.
See every featureIf you have multiple contributors to your blog and are tired and frustrated with not being able to change the author of a post then this is the app for you! Custom Authors helps you manage your blog post authors and contributors, making sure that your articles are showing exactly who wrote them.
Readers may be hesitant to commit to a long article, so displaying the estimated read time can reassure them that the time commitment will be shorter than they may have initially thought. Including an estimated read time at the beginning of your blog articles can significantly increasing the time customers spend on your site, increase your pageviews, and reduce your bounce rate! Online Store 2.0 theme required.
- Quick setup with no theme editing required
- Supports multiple blogs and custom authors with full control
- Easily change the author of any post
- Does not slow down your store
- Display the read time of your blog articles to benefit your readers!
- Customize all settings within the theme editor; see your changes live!
- Adjust read time wording, placement, text size, color, and more!
All the numbers
Every figure, side by side
A green dot marks the app ahead on a measured figure. Estimates, gaps and apps that leave no storefront trace never take the lead.
Adoption
| Measure |  Custom Authors | Time2Read |
|---|---|---|
| Detected stores | Not published | Not published |
| Net store change, 28 days | 0 | 0 |
| Stores added, 28 days | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Big-brand share | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Top store categories | Not published | Not published |
| Top store countries | Not published | Not published |
Reviews
| Measure | Custom Authors | Time2Read |
|---|---|---|
| App Store rating | 5.0 ★ | 5.0 ★ |
| App Store reviews | 2 | 3(ahead) |
| New reviews, 28 days | 0 | 0 |
| Reviewers a year or more in | Not enough data | Not enough data |
Pricing
| Measure | Custom Authors | Time2Read |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Not listed | Not listed |
| Lowest paid monthly plan | $7.99/month | $1.99/month(ahead) |
| Longest free trial | Not listed | 7 days |
| Plans listed | 1 | 1 |
Listing
| Measure | Custom Authors | Time2Read |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify category rank | #106(ahead) | #148 |
| Shopify App Charts | Not on this week’s charts | Not on this week’s charts |
| Built for Shopify | No | No |
| Launched | Sep 4, 2019 | Jan 24, 2023 |
| Languages | 1 | 1 |
| Developer | Unicorn Global | Fractal Apps |
FAQ
Custom Authors and Time2Read: common questions
- Is Custom Authors or Time2Read cheaper?
- Paid plans start at $7.99/month for Custom Authors and $1.99/month for Time2Read. Shoplist compares base prices only between monthly plans in the same currency; usage charges and annual plans vary, so check each plan’s limits.
- Which has better reviews, Custom Authors or Time2Read?
- On the Shopify App Store: Custom Authors 5.0 from 2 reviews and Time2Read 5.0 from 3 reviews.
- What features does each app list that the other doesn’t?
- Custom Authors lists 2 the others don’t mention, such as Author bio, Custom branding. A feature missing from a listing may still be supported; this compares what each App Store listing says.
- Where does this comparison’s data come from?
- Shoplist crawls Shopify storefronts to detect which apps each store runs, and reads each app’s Shopify App Store listing for reviews, pricing, features and integrations. Store counts are as of Oct 13, 2026 for Custom Authors, Oct 14, 2026 for Time2Read; estimated figures are labeled.
How Shoplist compares apps
Store counts come from Shoplist’s crawl of Shopify storefronts, which detects the apps each store runs; they are as of Oct 13, 2026 for Custom Authors, Oct 14, 2026 for Time2Read. Reviews, ratings, plans, features and integrations come from each app’s Shopify App Store listing. 28-day figures are labeled when estimated, and a figure that is missing or estimated never decides who leads. Read the methodology.