# Libby, the library app vs YLN Catalog

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Libby, the library app at 84% against YLN Catalog's 0%. Libby, the library app also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.7) and ratings volume (4.6M vs 31). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Libby, the library app holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Libby, the library app has 4.6M ratings behind it against 31, 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 0% of YLN Catalog's.

Libby, the library app ships an update monthly, YLN Catalog every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Libby, the library app | YLN Catalog |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (4.6M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/libby-the-library-app/id1076402606/reviews)** | [1.7 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yln-catalog/id1634065317/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.6M** | 31 |
| Positive reviews | **83.7% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 5 MB | 56 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [OverDrive, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/366869255) | [Yavapai County Library District Office](https://appshunter.io/developer/1454432557) |

## 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 your local library's digital collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines for free. Read or listen on your phone or tablet, download titles for offline use, and personalize your reading experience with customizable settings.

**Highlights:** Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines, Send ebooks to Kindle (US only), Offline reading and listening, Customizable reading experience, Adjustable audiobook playback speed, Sleep timer for audiobooks, Organize titles with tags

**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)


### YLN Catalog

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yln-catalog/id1634065317)

Explore your library's collection from anywhere to discover new and familiar books, movies, and games. Search the full catalog, including digital content, and manage your account by placing holds, checking due dates, and renewing items.

**Highlights:** Search library catalog, Discover books, movies, games, Access eContent, Place holds, Check due dates, Renew titles

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Libby, the library app free?

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

### Is YLN Catalog free?

YLN Catalog is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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

Libby, the library app is rated higher. Libby, the library app averages 4.9 out of 5 from 4.6M ratings, while YLN Catalog averages 1.7 from 31 ratings.

### Do Libby, the library app or YLN Catalog have ads?

Neither Libby, the library app nor YLN Catalog shows ads.

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

Libby, the library app ships an update monthly, and YLN Catalog every 5 weeks. Most recently, Libby, the library app was updated on November 9, 2026 and YLN Catalog on November 3, 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.*