# Libro.fm Audiobooks vs Libby, the library app

The clearest difference is monetization model: Libby, the library app at free against Libro.fm Audiobooks's free with in-app purchases. Libby, the library app also leads on ratings volume (4.6M vs 41K) and chart position (#3 vs #72). Libro.fm Audiobooks's advantage is review sentiment (92% vs 84%). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Libro.fm Audiobooks against 4.9 for Libby, the library app. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Libby, the library app has 4.6M ratings behind it against 41K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 92% of Libro.fm Audiobooks's written reviews are positive against 84% of Libby, the library app's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Libro.fm Audiobooks | Libby, the library app |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (41K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/librofm-audiobooks/id1057776523/reviews)** | [4.9 (4.6M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/libby-the-library-app/id1076402606/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 41K | **4.6M** |
| Positive reviews | **91.8% of reviews** | 83.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | #72 | **#3** |
| Size | 60 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.2 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Libro.fm](https://appshunter.io/developer/1057776522) | [OverDrive, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/366869255) |

## What reviewers say

### Libro.fm Audiobooks

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/librofm-audiobooks/id1057776523)

**Currently charting:** #72 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

Access a vast library of audiobooks while supporting local bookstores. Purchase audiobooks with credits, enjoy DRM-free downloads, and listen on the go with features like playback speed control and a sleep timer. Your purchases directly benefit independent booksellers.

**Highlights:** Explore 600,000+ audiobooks, Use audiobook credits, Apple Watch listening, Automatic sync across devices, Bookmarks and playback speed, Sleep timer, DRM-free downloads

**Features:** Siri integration, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Support for local bookstores
- 🚀 Convenient and easy to use
- 💡 DRM-free audiobooks
- 🎨 Great user interface
- 🎁 Generous membership benefits

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy playback and syncing issues
- 🔍 Limited search and browsing functionality
- 💰 Audiobook prices can be high
- 🤔 Lack of certain features (e.g. chapters, in-app purchases)

**Reported bugs**

- Playback stops when device goes to sleep
- Inability to download audiobooks on cellular data
- App crashes and loses progress in books

**Requested features**

- Add chapter support for audiobooks
- Improve search and browsing capabilities
- Allow in-app purchases and account management
- Implement syncing across devices


### Libby, the library app

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/libby-the-library-app/id1076402606)

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

Access millions of free ebooks and audiobooks from your local library. Borrow titles instantly with your library card, download for offline enjoyment, and enjoy a customizable reading and listening experience.

**Highlights:** Borrow ebooks and audiobooks, Download for offline access, Send ebooks to Kindle, Adjust reader settings, Customize audio player, Create book lists

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Extensive library of books and audiobooks
- 🔍 Convenient search and browsing features
- 🔖 Easy to manage holds and returns
- 🔄 Seamless syncing across devices
- 🕰️ Automatic returns to avoid late fees

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🕰️ Long wait times for popular titles
- 🔍 Confusing search and filtering options
- 🤯 Buggy and unstable performance
- 🔒 Lack of offline reading/listening
- 📚 Limited selection in some genres

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Issues with downloading and syncing content
- Unreliable playback controls for audiobooks
- Inconsistent behavior when placing holds
- Disappearing reading history and bookmarks

**Requested features**

- Ability to search across multiple libraries
- Custom reading/listening speed controls
- Improved recommendation and discovery tools
- Option to purchase unavailable titles
- Customizable reading experience (fonts, themes)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Libro.fm Audiobooks free?

Libro.fm Audiobooks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Libby, the library app free?

Libby, the library app is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Libro.fm Audiobooks or Libby, the library app?

Libro.fm Audiobooks is rated higher. Libro.fm Audiobooks averages 4.9 out of 5 from 41K ratings, while Libby, the library app averages 4.9 from 4.6M ratings.

### Do Libro.fm Audiobooks or Libby, the library app have ads?

Neither Libro.fm Audiobooks nor Libby, the library app shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Libro.fm Audiobooks or Libby, the library app?

Libro.fm Audiobooks ships an update monthly, and Libby, the library app monthly. Most recently, Libro.fm Audiobooks was updated on October 27, 2026 and Libby, the library app on October 27, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Libro.fm Audiobooks or Libby, the library app?

Libro.fm Audiobooks currently peaks at #72 in the App Store charts, and Libby, the library app at #3. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

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