# Libby, the library app vs StoryGraph

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Libby, the library app at none against StoryGraph's 2. Libby, the library app also leads on ratings volume (4.6M vs 3.5K) and rating (4.9 vs 4.5). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. StoryGraph sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Libby, the library app asks for nothing beyond the download.

Libby, the library app holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Libby, the library app has 4.6M ratings behind it against 3.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Libby, the library app's written reviews are positive against 70% of StoryGraph's.

Libby, the library app ships an update monthly, StoryGraph every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Libby, the library app | StoryGraph |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (4.6M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/libby-the-library-app/id1076402606/reviews)** | [4.5 (3.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storygraph-reading-tracker/id1570489264/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.6M** | 3.5K |
| Positive reviews | **83.8% of reviews** | 70.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | #28 |
| Size | 5 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 14 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [OverDrive, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/366869255) | [The StoryGraph](https://appshunter.io/developer/1570489926) |

## What reviewers say

### 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)


### StoryGraph

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storygraph-reading-tracker/id1570489264)

**Currently charting:** #28 Top Free · Book, #115 Top Grossing · Book (US App Store)

Track your reading habits with insightful stats and personalized book recommendations powered by AI. Discover new books based on mood, pace, and genre, and connect with friends for shared reading experiences.

**Highlights:** Import Goodreads data, Personalized book recommendations, Track reading habits with stats, Discover books by mood and pace, Read with friends (buddy reads), Custom reading challenges, Content warnings for books

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The StoryGraph Plus Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| The StoryGraph Plus Annual | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🚀 Excellent reading stats and data visualization
- 💡 Innovative features like buddy reads and reading challenges
- 👍 Clean and modern design
- 💡 Independent company, not owned by big tech

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🐛 Slow performance and loading times
- 🐛 Issues with importing data from other platforms
- 🐛 Missing some basic features like custom shelves/lists
- 🐛 Confusing navigation and UI in places

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or freezes when trying to update reading progress
- Incorrect book details and page counts
- Login issues where users get logged out frequently

**Requested features**

- Ability to track re-reads and multiple editions of books
- More robust social features like following friends, liking reviews
- Barcode scanning to easily add books
- Customizable reading challenges and goal tracking
- Dark mode option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Libby, the library app free?

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

### Is StoryGraph free?

StoryGraph is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Libby, the library app or StoryGraph?

Libby, the library app is rated higher. Libby, the library app averages 4.9 out of 5 from 4.6M ratings, while StoryGraph averages 4.5 from 3.5K ratings.

### Do Libby, the library app or StoryGraph have ads?

Neither Libby, the library app nor StoryGraph shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Libby, the library app or StoryGraph?

Libby, the library app ships an update monthly, and StoryGraph every 3 weeks. Most recently, Libby, the library app was updated on October 22, 2026 and StoryGraph on October 20, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Libby, the library app or StoryGraph?

Libby, the library app currently peaks at #3 in the App Store charts, and StoryGraph at #28. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*