San Mateo Public Library vs ThirdPass
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
San Mateo Public Library
Access your local library's collection on the go. Browse the catalog, manage your account, and download digital books and audiobooks. Find branch information and connect with the library on social media.
- Search catalog
- Manage account
- Download eBooks and Audiobooks
- Place holds
- Renew materials
- Branch information and directions
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Take San Mateo Public Library everywhere you go! Features: - Search the catalog - Manage your account - Download eBooks and Audiobooks - Place holds - Renew materials · Connect with us on social media - Check branch opening hours, location and get directions and so much more!
ThirdPass
Discover unique quiet spaces for work or study beyond typical cafes. Find privately owned public open spaces, library reading rooms, and hotel lobbies with amenities like Wi-Fi and outlets. Save favorites and contribute to the community by reviewing and nominating new spots.
- Live map and list discovery
- Filter by space type and amenities
- Real-time hours and distance
- Weather integration
- Save favorite locations
- User reviews and nominations
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ThirdPass helps you find a great place to work, study, or focus - not just cafés, but the spots people overlook: privately owned public open spaces (POPOS), library reading rooms, hotel lobbies, and quiet corners near you. • Discover spots nearby on a live map or list, with real hours and distance. • Filter by cafés vs. other spaces, plus amenities like wifi, outlets, outdoor seating, and quiet. • See the weather at a glance to pick a sunny patio or a cozy corner inside. • Save your favorites and plan where to go next. • Mark places you've visited and leave a quick review for the community. • Know a great spot we're missing? Nominate it, and we'll reach out. Free to use. No card needed. ThirdPass is starting in the Bay Area - find your third place. NEVER WORK ALONE UNLESS YOU WANT TO Turn on Desk Buddies to see who is free to co-work near you right now. Send a work date, meet at a great cafe, and get things done in good company. Prefer heads-down? Stay invisible until you flip yourself free. - Find people free to co-work nearby, with a live "around right now" status - Set up a work date in a couple of taps, or a skill swap to trade what you each know - Start a group for your regulars and meet up on your own schedule - You are always in control: block, report, and stay private whenever you want
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: ThirdPass at 100% against San Mateo Public Library's 0%. ThirdPass also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.7) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). San Mateo Public Library's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
ThirdPass holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of San Mateo Public Library's written reviews are positive against 100% of ThirdPass's.
San Mateo Public Library ships an update every 2 months, ThirdPass fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | San Mateo Public Library | ThirdPass |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 50 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Peninsula Library System | Athulo Mepo |
Customer experience
San Mateo Public Library
ThirdPass
In-app purchases
San Mateo Public Library
No in-app purchases
ThirdPass
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is San Mateo Public Library free?
Is ThirdPass free?
Which has better reviews, San Mateo Public Library or ThirdPass?
Do San Mateo Public Library or ThirdPass have ads?
Which is updated more often, San Mateo Public Library or ThirdPass?
Other comparisons
