Edmonton Public Library vs Freading
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Edmonton Public Library
Access library services on the go. Discover new books, manage your account, and find events. Stream or download digital content and check branch information.
- Search library collection with filters
- View title details, reviews, and ratings
- Check title availability and locations
- Place and manage holds
- Download/stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, music
- Manage library account and renewals
- Browse new releases and bestsellers
- Check branch hours and get directions
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Keep the Edmonton Public Library in your pocket! EPL Mobile makes it easy to discover titles, classes and events; manage your EPL account; check branch hours; and more! Features: • Search EPL’s collection easily and quickly, using filters to zero in on the titles you’re looking for. • Get details on any title, any time and anywhere—including descriptions, community reviews and ratings. • Check a title’s availability and map the locations where your title is available now. • Place holds on physical and digital titles, pause current holds and check which holds are ready for pick-up. • Download or stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies and music. • Manage your EPL account: renew titles, see the date your next title is due, set your location preferences and more. • Keep track of your interests: add titles to your “For Later” shelf so you can read them later. • Browse new titles, bestsellers and staff picks. • Check branch hours and get directions to the Edmonton Public Library branch nearest you.
Freading
This app allows users to read EPUB and PDF books downloaded from participating libraries. It supports Adobe DRM and offers a comfortable reading experience with features like page turning and adjustable text size.
- Read EPUB and PDF books
- Adobe DRM support
- Tap or swipe page turning
- Remembers last page read
- Selectable text size
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The Freading application is for reading EPUB books and PDF books. The application was developed for users of the Freading Ebook Service. The Freading (free reading) Ebook Service was developed by Library Ideas, LLC and is sold to libraries of all types around the world. End users are registered cardholders of participating libraries. Check with your local library for participation. The end user should use their browser to navigate the library website, then download the book from a library website into this application. Once in the application, the EPUB or PDF book can be explored and read. The Freading application is designed to lend full support for Adobe DRM and uses Adobe ID for Authentication. The Freading application includes many features that you would expect for a good reading experience such as tap or swipe to turn pages, remembering the last page read, and selectable text size.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Edmonton Public Library at 51% against Freading's 17%. Edmonton Public Library also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 9 months). Freading's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). 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.
Edmonton Public Library ships an update every 3 months, Freading every 9 months. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.
| Parameter | Edmonton Public Library | Freading |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.6 (2.9K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.8% of reviews — better | 16.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2.9K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 22 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Edmonton Public Library (AB) | Library Ideas, LLC |
Customer experience
Edmonton Public Library
Freading
User reviews
Edmonton Public Library
From App Store reviewsWhat we love
- 👍 Useful for accessing books
- 👍 Can use app instead of library card
- 👍 Works great, usually doesn't lag
- 👍 Great for reserving books/movies
- 👍 User-friendly and simple
Room to improve
- 🐌 Slow to open
- 🔄 Spinning thing spins
- 🐌 Sooo slow
- 🐛 App crashes
- 🐛 App is useless
Freading
From 2.9K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 📚 Wide selection of books
- 🕰 No late fees
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 📱 Difficult to navigate and use
- 🔍 Poor search and discovery
- 📚 Limited book selection
- 🔒 Login and authentication issues
Bugs and requests
Edmonton Public Library
Reported bugs
21 issues- Server error when logging in
- App crashes when clicking on card
- Login issues (account doesn't exist/password incorrect)
- Borrowing and my shelves tabs do not load
- No app icon on iPad
Show 16 moreShow fewer
- App unusable on iPhone 6
- Check out website login required after app login
- Due soon, overdue, ready etc. show dashes instead of numbers
- Screen rotates back to upright when scanning barcode
- Map view of library locations is gone
- Auto checkouts not seamless
- App doesn't work within the library
- Done and cancel buttons do not respond in refine search
- Done and Cancel buttons no longer work in filter
- Refine search function not working
- App crashes when going to 'my epl'
- Cannot move items on 'in progress' shelf
- Checked out books not listed chronologically
- Not all items checked out are listed
- App hasn't been working very well lately
- Sometimes have to login 4 or 5 times
Requested features
18 requests- Add notifications for pickup/due dates
- Add dark mode
- Add library card to Apple Wallet
- Add wallet support for library card
- Add wallet support for library card
Show 13 moreShow fewer
- Add wallet support for library card
- Add Apple Wallet function to library card
- Add Passbook compatibility for library card
- Add Passbook integration for library card
- More specific and apparent genres
- More customizable search
- Encourage users to rate materials
- Preview available material with better information
- Retain 'On Order' accessibility from previous versions
- Add map view of library locations
- Add notifications on app icon
- Add dark mode
- Add Apple Wallet support
Freading
Reported bugs
3 issues- Books fail to download or open
- App crashes when trying to access downloaded books
- Login process is unreliable and inconsistent
Requested features
4 requests- Improve app stability and reliability
- Enhance user interface and navigation
- Expand book selection and search capabilities
- Streamline login and authentication process
In-app purchases
Edmonton Public Library
No in-app purchases
Freading
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Edmonton Public Library free?
Is Freading free?
Do Edmonton Public Library or Freading have ads?
Which is updated more often, Edmonton Public Library or Freading?
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