Freading vs KanShare
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
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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.
KanShare
Access your library's catalog from your mobile device. Search for books, DVDs, games, and digital media. Manage your account by placing holds, checking due dates, and renewing items. Keep a digital copy of your library card handy.
- Search library catalog
- Explore digital collections
- Place holds on items
- Check due dates
- Renew eligible items
- Digital library card
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The KanShare app allows you to search and explore your library on the go to find new books, DVDs, video games, ebooks, digital audiobooks, and more! Search the entire consortium catalog, including digital collections. Place holds, check due dates, and renew eligible items. Access a digital copy of your library card. If you have your phone, you have your library card!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Freading at 4.6 against KanShare's 1.4. Freading also leads on ratings volume (2.8K vs 14) and review sentiment (17% vs 0%). KanShare's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks 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 1.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freading has 2.8K ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of Freading's written reviews are positive against 0% of KanShare's.
Freading ships an update every 9 months, KanShare every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Freading | KanShare |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (2.8K ratings) — better | 1.4 (14 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 16.8% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2.8K — better | 14 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 56 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Library Ideas, LLC | Derby Public Library |
Customer experience
Freading
KanShare
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
KanShare
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Freading
No in-app purchases
KanShare
No in-app purchases
