# JoCoLibrary vs Libby, the library app

The clearest difference is rating: Libby, the library app at 4.9 against JoCoLibrary's 3.6. Libby, the library app also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 56%) and ratings volume (4.6M vs 24). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Libby, the library app holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Libby, the library app has 4.6M ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of JoCoLibrary's written reviews are positive against 84% of Libby, the library app's.

JoCoLibrary ships an update every 3 months, Libby, the library app monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | JoCoLibrary | Libby, the library app |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jocolibrary/id420401983/reviews) | **[4.9 (4.6M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/libby-the-library-app/id1076402606/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 24 | **4.6M** |
| Positive reviews | 56.3% of reviews | **83.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#3** |
| Size | 22 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Johnson County Library](https://appshunter.io/developer/1517457598) | [OverDrive, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/366869255) |

## What reviewers say

### JoCoLibrary

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jocolibrary/id420401983)

Discover new books, place holds on desired titles, and plan your upcoming visits to the library. This app provides a convenient way to manage your reading list and library interactions.

**Highlights:** Browse new titles, Place holds, Plan library visits, Manage reading list

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Manages holds and renewals
- 👍 Barcode stored on app
- 👍 Useful for browsing
- 👍 Great library system integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App constantly crashes
- 🐛 App keeps crashing
- 🐛 App won't stay open
- 🐛 App constantly has server issues
- 🐛 Logs out frequently

**Reported bugs**

- App constantly crashes
- App keeps crashing
- App won't stay open
- Server issues causing frequent logouts and lockouts
- Login issues at night

**Requested features**

- Update library hours
- Make app more like website (Staff Picks, Summer Reading, Events, Find a Good Book)
- Link authors to their other works
- History of checked out books
- iPhone 5 version


### Libby, the library app

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/libby-the-library-app/id1076402606)

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

Access your local library's digital collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines for free. Read or listen on your phone or tablet, download titles for offline use, and personalize your reading experience with customizable settings.

**Highlights:** Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines, Send ebooks to Kindle (US only), Offline reading and listening, Customizable reading experience, Adjustable audiobook playback speed, Sleep timer for audiobooks, Organize titles with tags

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Extensive library of books and audiobooks
- 🔍 Convenient search and browsing features
- 🔖 Easy to manage holds and returns
- 🔄 Seamless syncing across devices
- 🕰️ Automatic returns to avoid late fees

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🕰️ Long wait times for popular titles
- 🔍 Confusing search and filtering options
- 🤯 Buggy and unstable performance
- 🔒 Lack of offline reading/listening
- 📚 Limited selection in some genres

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Issues with downloading and syncing content
- Unreliable playback controls for audiobooks
- Inconsistent behavior when placing holds
- Disappearing reading history and bookmarks

**Requested features**

- Ability to search across multiple libraries
- Custom reading/listening speed controls
- Improved recommendation and discovery tools
- Option to purchase unavailable titles
- Customizable reading experience (fonts, themes)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is JoCoLibrary free?

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

### Is Libby, the library app free?

Libby, the library app is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, JoCoLibrary or Libby, the library app?

Libby, the library app is rated higher. JoCoLibrary averages 3.6 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Libby, the library app averages 4.9 from 4.6M ratings.

### Do JoCoLibrary or Libby, the library app have ads?

Neither JoCoLibrary nor Libby, the library app shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, JoCoLibrary or Libby, the library app?

JoCoLibrary ships an update every 3 months, and Libby, the library app monthly. Most recently, JoCoLibrary was updated on November 1, 2026 and Libby, the library app on November 6, 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.*