Freading vs Topeka Library
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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
Read full descriptionHide full description
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.
Topeka Library
Access your library's digital collection, including ebooks, audiobooks, music, and movies. Manage your account, find events, and discover new releases. Scan book ISBNs to check availability and utilize online resources for various interests.
- Digital downloads (ebooks, audiobooks, music, movies)
- Library account management (holds, renewals, loan history)
- Event discovery and bookmobile locations
- ISBN scanning for book availability
- Access to online resources
- Recommended reads and new releases
Read full descriptionHide full description
With our mobile app the library is always with you! Get direct access to free digital downloads (ebooks, audiobooks, music, movies and TV shows) with quick links to library-provided services Libby, Hoopla, Flipster and Bookflix. Access your digital library card, find events, scan a book's ISBN to instantly see if we have the book available, find bookmobile locations, find library services and contact us. Log into the app to keep track of your holds, renew materials and check your loan history through My Account. Discover recommended reads and the newest releases. Reserve your copy or download a digital version. Use online resources for students, small business owners, hobbyists and researchers. You can also connect with us on social media with this powerful mobile app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Freading at 4.6 against Topeka Library's 3.3. Freading also leads on ratings volume (2.9K vs 11) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Topeka Library's advantage is review sentiment (40% vs 17%) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 9 months). 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.
Freading holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freading has 2.9K ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 17% of Freading's written reviews are positive against 40% of Topeka Library's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Freading ships an update every 9 months, Topeka Library every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Freading | Topeka Library |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (2.9K ratings) — better | 3.3 (11 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 16.8% of reviews | 40.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2.9K — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 4 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 55 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Library Ideas, LLC | TOPEKA SHAWNEE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY |
Customer experience
Freading
Topeka Library
Bugs and requests
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
Topeka Library
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Freading
No in-app purchases
Topeka Library
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Freading free?
Is Topeka Library free?
Which has better reviews, Freading or Topeka Library?
Do Freading or Topeka Library have ads?
Which is updated more often, Freading or Topeka Library?
Other comparisons
