# CW MARS Libraries vs Acorn Catalog

The clearest difference is rating: CW MARS Libraries at 3.8 against Acorn Catalog's 3.3. Acorn Catalog's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 56%). On price, ratings volume, 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.

CW MARS Libraries holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26 and 14 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of CW MARS Libraries's written reviews are positive against 67% of Acorn Catalog's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

CW MARS Libraries ships an update every 4 months, Acorn Catalog every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on June 3, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CW MARS Libraries | Acorn Catalog |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.8 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cw-mars-libraries/id1434646418/reviews)** | [3.3 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/acorn-catalog/id1468024977/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **26** | 14 |
| Positive reviews | 56.3% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 10 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kenneth Cox](https://appshunter.io/developer/1400443993) | [Bibliomation, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/587708969) |

## What reviewers say

### CW MARS Libraries

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cw-mars-libraries/id1434646418)

Access the shared catalog of libraries across Central and Western Massachusetts. Requires a library card and password from a participating CW MARS member library to use.

**Highlights:** Access shared library catalog, Search for books and materials, Manage library account, Find participating libraries

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Acorn Catalog

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/acorn-catalog/id1468024977)

Access public library resources across Connecticut. Search the catalog, place holds, manage checked-out items, and renew borrowed materials. Requires a library card from a Bibliomation member library.

**Highlights:** Search library catalog, Place holds on items, Review checked-out items, Renew borrowed materials, Access 63 public libraries

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CW MARS Libraries free?

CW MARS Libraries is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Acorn Catalog free?

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

### Which has better reviews, CW MARS Libraries or Acorn Catalog?

CW MARS Libraries is rated higher. CW MARS Libraries averages 3.8 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Acorn Catalog averages 3.3 from 14 ratings.

### Do CW MARS Libraries or Acorn Catalog have ads?

Neither CW MARS Libraries nor Acorn Catalog shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CW MARS Libraries or Acorn Catalog?

CW MARS Libraries ships an update every 4 months, and Acorn Catalog every 5 months. Most recently, CW MARS Libraries was updated on June 3, 2026 and Acorn Catalog on September 20, 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.*