Freedom251 › School Library Management Software
ReadByte
What ReadByte is
ReadByte is a cloud-based school library and reading platform for UK primary schools, secondary schools, and multi-academy trusts. Its Bookshelf tools cover catalogue management, circulation, overdue reminders, pupil self-service borrowing, reporting, and MARC import and export. Pupils can use the Reading Diary to record, rate, review, and reflect on books, while teachers and parents follow reading habits and progress, including frequency, pace, and book difficulty. Book Club supports school clubs with selected books, discussions, challenges, and participation reports. Connected trusts, federations, or other school networks can request and lend resources between libraries while tracking shared stock.
The service runs in a standard browser on computers, tablets, and phones without installation. ReadByte says data migration is included for schools moving from another system; schools starting from scratch can complete setup in 15 minutes. The maker says support is available from setup through daily use. Listed annual plans range from MIS Sync and Bookclub at £99.00 per year to Bookshelf & Reading Diary at £299.00 per year, with Reading Diary at £199.00 per year. The homepage also advertises a 12-month free year-of-reading offer with no obligation. ReadByte says it hosts personal data in the UK using Microsoft Azure and encrypts connections and databases.
Who it suits
ReadByte suits UK schools and multi-academy trusts that need to manage library collections and borrowing while supporting pupils’ reading progress. Its reading diary, clubs, and shared library network also serve pupils, parents, teachers, and trust leaders.
What it does well
- Bookshelf supports circulation, overdue reminders, self-service, and MARC exchange.
- Pupils can record, rate, and review books in a Reading Diary.
- Teachers and parents can follow reading frequency, pace, and difficulty.
- Connected libraries can lend resources and track shared stock.
- Browser access works on computers, tablets, and phones without installation.
What to know first
- The platform is intended for UK schools and trusts.
- Listed annual plans range up to £299.00 per year.
- Specific school management and literacy integrations are not named.
Limits
Listed annual plans range from £99.00 per year for MIS Sync or Bookclub to £299.00 per year for Bookshelf & Reading Diary. The homepage also advertises 12 months free with no obligation.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Diary | /year · Reading Diary | £199 a year |
| Bookshelf & Reading Diary | /year · Library management · Reading Diary | £299 a year |
| MIS Sync | /year · MIS Sync | £99 a year |
| Bookclub | /year · Bookclub | £99 a year |
As readbyte.co.uk lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://readbyte.co.uk/.
- Choose from the listed annual plans or review the advertised 12-month free year-of-reading offer.
- Move from another system with data migration included, or start from scratch with a stated 15-minute setup.
- Use the service in a standard browser on a computer, tablet, or phone; no installation is needed.
Verdict
Choose ReadByte if your school or trust wants library management alongside reading diaries, clubs, and progress insights in a browser-based service. Look elsewhere if you need named integrations with particular school management systems or literacy tools, as none are identified here.
Questions
How much does ReadByte cost?
Listed plans are MIS Sync at £99.00 per year, Bookclub at £99.00 per year, Reading Diary at £199.00 per year, and Bookshelf & Reading Diary at £299.00 per year. The homepage also advertises a 12-month free year-of-reading offer with no obligation.
Is there a free plan or trial?
There is no free plan, and a free trial is offered. The homepage separately advertises 12 months free with no obligation.
Which devices can use ReadByte?
It works in a standard browser on computers, tablets, and phones without installation.
What does the platform include?
Its tools cover library catalogue and circulation management, reading diaries, book clubs, reporting, and shared stock between connected libraries.
Does ReadByte support migration?
ReadByte says migration is included when moving from another system. Schools starting from scratch can complete setup in 15 minutes.
Where is personal data hosted?
ReadByte says it hosts personal data in the UK using Microsoft Azure and encrypts connections and databases.
Facts from ReadByte's own pages
- Book clubs
- Book Club lets schools create clubs, choose books, run discussions and challenges, and view participation reports. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- Bookshelf works on computers, tablets, and phones through a standard browser without installation. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- 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. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- 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. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Free trial
- The pricing page offers 12 months free with no obligation, after which the school chooses whether to continue. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom · readbyte.co.uk, 28 Sept 2026
- Hosting provider
- ReadByte says it uses Microsoft Azure, which it describes as accredited to SOC 2 and ISO 27001 standards. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Bookshelf integrates with school management systems using Wonde for automatic student and staff data updates. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- ReadByte describes the platform as designed for primary schools, secondary schools, and multi-academy trusts in the UK. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Library management
- The platform supports book cataloguing, issuing resources, overdue management, and pupil self-service. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Library Network
- Schools in a trust, federation, or other network can request and loan resources between connected libraries and track shared stock. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Library tools
- Bookshelf supports catalogue management, circulation, overdue reminders, self-service borrowing, reporting, and MARC import and export. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Maker
- ReadByte describes itself as a UK-based education software company whose team has over 35 years of combined education technology experience. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Maker experience
- The maker says its team has over 35 years of combined experience in education technology and school library systems. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Migration
- Data migration is included when moving from another system. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- 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. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Offer
- The homepage advertises a year-of-reading offer of 12 months free with no obligation. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- ReadByte is an online school library and reading platform for UK primary schools, secondary schools, and multi-academy trusts. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ReadByte is an online school library platform for managing collections, supporting reading development, and connecting school and home. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Reading diary
- Pupils can record, rate, and review books, while teachers and parents can follow reading habits and progress. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Reading insights
- It tracks reading frequency, pace, book difficulty, and pupil reflections to help schools understand reading progress. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Reading support
- Its Reading Diary lets pupils record and reflect on books while teachers and parents follow reading frequency, pace, difficulty, and progress. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Retention detail
- The GDPR page says customer data is kept for the contract plus 60 days, then securely deleted unless legally required otherwise. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- ReadByte says it encrypts connections and databases, uses strict access controls, and hosts personal data in the UK. · readbyte.co.uk, 7 Oct 2026
Where ReadByte stands on Freedom251
- School Library Management Software#17 of 22