Libby, the library app vs Ask Illume
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Libby, the library app
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.
- 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
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Libby connects you to your local library’s collection of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more. With just your library card, you can instantly read or listen to books on your phone or tablet — for free, thanks to your public library! Browse and borrow everything from timeless classics to the latest New York Times bestsellers, and enjoy your next great read anytime, anywhere. What You Can Do with Libby - Browse your library’s digital catalog of books - Borrow and enjoy ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines - Send ebooks to your Kindle (U.S. libraries only) - Listen to audiobooks through Apple CarPlay - Download titles for offline reading, or stream them to save space - Use tags to create to-be--read lists or organize your favorite titles - Keep your reading position with automatic syncing across all your devices A Beautiful Reading Experience Enjoy a seamless reading experience with Libby’s elegant, easy-to-use ebook reader: - Adjust text size, background color, and book design to fit your preferences - Zoom into magazines, comics, and graphic novels - Define and search for words or phrases instantly - Read and listen to interactive read-alongs with your kids - Add bookmarks, notes, and highlights to personalize your reading An Immersive Audiobook Player Libby’s audiobook player makes listening effortless and enjoyable: - Slow down or speed up playback (0.6x to 3.0x) - Set a sleep timer for nighttime listening - Swipe easily to skip forward or backward - Add bookmarks, notes, and highlights as you listen Read Anywhere, Anytime Libby is designed for everyone, including kids, teens, and adults. Whether you’re exploring new stories, catching up on bestsellers, or revisiting your favorite books, Libby keeps reading simple, fun, and accessible. Built by OverDrive, Libby proudly supports public libraries and the joy of reading for all. Download Libby today and turn your device into your personal library.
Ask Illume
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AskIllume is a thoughtfully curated space for readers and art lovers to discover what belongs with them. Ask questions and receive personalized book recommendations, explore community clubs and conversations, and browse a growing cultural commons shaped by real readers. Inside AskIllume you can: • Discover books through guided questions and recommendations • Join clubs and community discussions • Build personal bookshelves and collections • Explore art, ideas, and shared reading life AskIllume is designed to feel calm, intentional, and human—whether you’re searching for your next great read or simply lingering among ideas. No in-app purchases. Books and event registrations are completed on trusted external sites.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is chart position: Libby, the library app at #3 against Ask Illume's unranked. Libby, the library app also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Libby, the library app ships an update monthly, Ask Illume every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Libby, the library app | Ask Illume |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (4.6M ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 83.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4.6M — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #3 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 193 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 17+ |
| Developer | OverDrive, Inc. | Jennifer L Perry |
Bugs and requests
Libby, the library app
Reported bugs
5 issues- 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
6 requests- 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)
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- Integration with other e-book/audiobook services
Ask Illume
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Libby, the library app
No in-app purchases
Ask Illume
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Libby, the library app free?
Is Ask Illume free?
Do Libby, the library app or Ask Illume have ads?
Which is updated more often, Libby, the library app or Ask Illume?
Other comparisons
