# HPL Mobile vs VPL Mobile

The clearest difference is rating: VPL Mobile at 3.9 against HPL Mobile's 2.9. VPL Mobile also leads on ratings volume (32 vs 8). On price, review sentiment, 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.

VPL Mobile holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 32 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of HPL Mobile's written reviews are positive against 47% of VPL Mobile's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

HPL Mobile ships an update every 3 months, VPL Mobile every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | HPL Mobile | VPL Mobile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hpl-mobile/id417386633/reviews) | **[3.9 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vpl-mobile/id422360968/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **32** |
| Positive reviews | **52.8% of reviews** | 47.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 22 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Hamilton Public Library Board](https://appshunter.io/developer/1565172193) | [Vancouver Public Library Board](https://appshunter.io/developer/1142026329) |

## What reviewers say

### HPL Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hpl-mobile/id417386633)

Access a vast digital collection of books, movies, and music. Manage your library account, discover new content through staff recommendations, and stay updated on library events and services.

**Highlights:** Digital collection access, Online library card registration, Virtual program viewing, Collection search and saving, Hold management, Item renewal, Library hours and locations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### VPL Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vpl-mobile/id422360968)

Access your Vancouver Public Library account on the go. Borrow ebooks and audiobooks, manage holds, and discover new titles with staff recommendations. Your library card is now digital.

**Highlights:** Borrow ebooks and audiobooks, Manage holds, Digital library barcode, Search library catalog, Save titles for later, Check hours and locations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 🚀 Seamless progress remembering (reader)
- 💡 Barcode scanning for books
- 👍 Intuitive and functional
- 🚀 Quick account access

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy after iOS updates
- 🐛 Constantly needs re-login
- 🐛 Slow to open and navigate
- 🐛 Incredibly slow performance
- 🐛 Old and neglected UI

**Reported bugs**

- Buggy after updating to iOS17
- Not remembering login/session
- Error messages when loading content
- Constantly need to sign in
- App crashes a lot

**Requested features**

- Apple Wallet support
- Notifications for book readiness
- Option to turn on notifications
- Add children's accounts to parent account
- Add library card to Wallet/Passbook


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HPL Mobile free?

HPL Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is VPL Mobile free?

VPL Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HPL Mobile or VPL Mobile?

VPL Mobile is rated higher. HPL Mobile averages 2.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while VPL Mobile averages 3.9 from 32 ratings.

### Do HPL Mobile or VPL Mobile have ads?

Neither HPL Mobile nor VPL Mobile shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HPL Mobile or VPL Mobile?

HPL Mobile ships an update every 3 months, and VPL Mobile every 4 months. Most recently, HPL Mobile was updated on October 16, 2026 and VPL Mobile on October 16, 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.*