Comparison

APLApp vs Little Free Library

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

APLApp

Access your local library's catalog, manage your account, and discover events and resources on the go. Reserve items, track checkouts, and explore online learning materials from your mobile device.

Highlights
  • Search library catalog
  • Reserve items
  • Manage multiple library accounts
  • View and register for events
  • Access online learning resources
  • View library hours and locations
Features
Read full description

Take the Appleton Public Library everywhere you go! -Search the library catalog and reserve items -Add one or more library accounts to your device, allowing you to manage holds, checkouts and more -View and register for events at the library -See information about hours, locations and services offered -Access online learning resources and so much more!

About

Little Free Library

Discover nearby book-sharing locations with this app. Find libraries using filters, get directions, and save your favorites. Track your visits and leave notes for stewards. If you manage a library, update its details directly.

Highlights
  • Find nearby book-sharing locations
  • Search filters by location
  • Get directions and create routes
  • Favorite and track visited libraries
  • Leave notes in guest books
  • Edit library listings in real-time
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The Little Free Library app makes it easy to find little library locations near you! Use the search filters to narrow in on little libraries you want to visit, easily get directions to the nearest ones, or create a route. See a library you like? Add it to your list of favorites. Track the libraries you visit using the handy check-ins feature. If you’re a Little Free Library steward, there’s a section of the app just for you that lets you edit your library’s listing in real time! Little Free Library Map:  Easy-to-use search filters help you find Little Free Libraries by zip code, city/state, charter number, or your current location. Favorite and Track the Little Libraries You Visit:  Keep a list of your favorite little libraries and track the ones you visit using check-ins. Get Directions or Create Routes:  Tap the Get Directions button to get step-by-step directions to the nearest Little Free Library book-sharing box, or add multiple little libraries to a route. Sign the Guest Book:  After you stop by a particular little library, leave a note for the steward (aka caretaker) in its guest book! The guest book is a fun way to connect with the little library steward and see what other visitors have to say. Features for Little Free Library Volunteer Stewards: If you’re the steward of a registered Little Free Library, the app lets you edit your library’s listing in real time! Add new photos, update your library’s story, include social media links, enable a guest book for your visitors, and much more… all from within the app.

Screenshots

APLApp4 screens
Little Free Library4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Little Free Library at 47% against APLApp's 0%. Little Free Library also leads on rating (3.8 vs 3.4) and ratings volume (199 vs 8). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Little Free Library holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Little Free Library has 199 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of APLApp's written reviews are positive against 47% of Little Free Library's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 11, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
APLApp versus Little Free Library: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAPLAppLittle Free Library
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.4 (8 ratings)3.8 (199 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews47.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8199 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank—#102 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCapira TechnologiesLittle Free Library, Ltd

Customer experience

APLApp

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Little Free Library

All ratings169 ratings
Positive59.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative33.1%
Written reviews112 reviews
Positive47.3%
Neutral8.0%
Negative44.6%

Bugs and requests

APLApp

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Little Free Library

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • App crashes on startup or after 2-3 clicks
  • Instant crash when opening app
  • Loading screen freezes indefinitely
  • Check-in submit button spins forever without submitting
  • Favorite feature causes immediate crash
Show 13 more
  • Search this area button disappears after use
  • Map not loading or displaying libraries
  • Login causes app to crash
  • App kicks user out after few seconds
  • Email confirmation links non-functional
  • Help ticket submission page broken
  • Check-in notifications appear but don't display in app
  • Dark mode purple text unreadable
  • Steward registration stuck in infinite loop
  • Location services not working
  • App incompatible with iOS updates
  • Routing doesn't follow selected library order
  • Incomplete form loading for stewards

Requested features

14 requests
  • Ability for non-stewards to add missing libraries
  • Retroactive check-in date editing
  • Children's book category indicator
  • Book genre/category specifications
  • Want-to-visit list separate from favorites
Show 9 more
  • Photo update capability for all users
  • Library condition status tracking
  • Goodreads integration
  • Little Pantry location support
  • Book availability search feature
  • Improved routing that respects selected order
  • Better steward portal UX for adding comments
  • Reduced banner size on map display
  • Full Google Maps integration

In-app purchases

None

APLApp

No in-app purchases

None

Little Free Library

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is APLApp free?
APLApp is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Little Free Library free?
Little Free Library is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, APLApp or Little Free Library?
Little Free Library is rated higher. APLApp averages 3.4 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Little Free Library averages 3.8 from 199 ratings.
Do APLApp or Little Free Library have ads?
Neither APLApp nor Little Free Library shows ads.
Which is updated more often, APLApp or Little Free Library?
APLApp ships an update every 3 weeks, and Little Free Library every 3 weeks. Most recently, APLApp was updated on November 11, 2026 and Little Free Library on November 11, 2026.

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