# DC Public Library vs Bookshop.org

The clearest difference is rating: Bookshop.org at 4.8 against DC Public Library's 4.2. Bookshop.org also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 18%) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Bookshop.org holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bookshop.org has 2.2K ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 18% of DC Public Library's written reviews are positive against 57% of Bookshop.org's.

DC Public Library ships an update every 2 months, Bookshop.org every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | DC Public Library | Bookshop.org |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dc-public-library/id1003829295/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookshoporg-ebook-reader/id6465290096/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 19 | **2.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 17.6% of reviews | **56.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#162** |
| Size | 50 MB | 111 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [District of Columbia Public Library](https://appshunter.io/developer/301077853) | [Bookshop, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1706515971) |

## What reviewers say

### DC Public Library

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dc-public-library/id1003829295)

Access a vast collection of books, DVDs, and digital media from your local library. Manage your account, place holds, and discover nearby branches and events.

**Highlights:** Search library catalog, Manage library account, Place and cancel holds, Renew checked-out items, Find nearest library branch, Access digital library resources, Browse library events

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Bookshop.org

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookshoporg-ebook-reader/id6465290096)

**Currently charting:** #162 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

Read your ebooks and discover new titles while supporting independent bookstores. All ebook purchases made through this platform directly benefit local bookshops, ensuring their continued success in the digital age.

**Highlights:** Read ebooks from your library, Browse millions of ebooks, Add titles to wishlist, Support local bookstores with purchases, Connect seamlessly with Bookshop

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Wonderful app
- 👍 Great alternative to Amazon
- 👍 Supports local bookstores
- 👍 Clean and pleasing interface
- 👍 Solid app for a new release

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Formatting issues (lack of italics, poor paragraph spacing, etc.)
- 🐛 Buggy page turning and navigation
- 🔧 Limited customization options (fonts, themes, brightness, etc.)
- 🔧 Missing essential features (highlighting, note-taking, search, etc.)

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to remember last page read
- Scrolling issues and unexpected page skipping
- Formatting problems (stripped italics, weird paragraph spacing)
- Settings not persisting between app sessions

**Requested features**

- More font and theme options
- Ability to adjust line spacing, margins, and other formatting
- Implement highlighting, annotation, and note-taking features
- Add search functionality
- Improve page turning and navigation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DC Public Library free?

DC Public Library is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Bookshop.org free?

Bookshop.org is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, DC Public Library or Bookshop.org?

Bookshop.org is rated higher. DC Public Library averages 4.2 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Bookshop.org averages 4.8 from 2.2K ratings.

### Do DC Public Library or Bookshop.org have ads?

Neither DC Public Library nor Bookshop.org shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DC Public Library or Bookshop.org?

DC Public Library ships an update every 2 months, and Bookshop.org every 5 days. Most recently, DC Public Library was updated on October 24, 2026 and Bookshop.org on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*