# Boundless vs SWAN Libraries +

The clearest difference is rating: Boundless at 4.4 against SWAN Libraries +'s 1.8. Boundless also leads on ratings volume (18K vs 73) and review sentiment (32% vs 13%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Boundless holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Boundless has 18K ratings behind it against 73, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of Boundless's written reviews are positive against 13% of SWAN Libraries +'s.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Boundless | SWAN Libraries + |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boundless/id6449712082/reviews)** | [1.8 (73 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swan-libraries-plus/id6473793650/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **18K** | 73 |
| Positive reviews | **32.4% of reviews** | 13.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 177 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Baker & Taylor](https://appshunter.io/developer/634003725) | [System Wide Automated Network](https://appshunter.io/developer/1472754657) |

## What reviewers say

### Boundless

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boundless/id6449712082)

Access a vast collection of ebooks, digital audiobooks, and videobooks from your local library or school. Enjoy a seamless reading, listening, and watching experience with personalized recommendations and engaging reading programs.

**Highlights:** Discover ebooks, audiobooks, and videobooks, Read, listen, and watch in one app, Personalized recommendations, Join library reading programs, Track reading progress and earn badges, Customizable reading experience

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast access to books
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to navigate
- 🔒 Separate profiles for kids and adults
- 🎨 Customizable reading experience
- 📚 Wide selection of content

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent freezing and crashes
- ⏱️ Slow loading times
- 🔍 Difficulty finding and accessing books
- 📱 Incompatible with some devices
- 🔌 Requires internet connection for offline use

**Reported bugs**

- Books disappearing from user's shelf
- Inability to return or renew books
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between profiles
- Audiobook playback issues

**Requested features**

- Improved page turning and navigation controls
- Ability to adjust margins and font settings
- Offline access to downloaded content
- Better integration with other reading apps
- More detailed progress tracking and analytics


### SWAN Libraries +

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swan-libraries-plus/id6473793650)

Access your library account, search a vast catalog, and manage holds and renewals. Download ebooks and audiobooks directly to your device. This app connects you to a consortium of public, academic, school, and special libraries in the Chicagoland area.

**Highlights:** Manage library account, Search library catalog, Renew items, Place holds, Download ebooks, Download audiobooks

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to look up books
- 👍 Can place holds easily
- 👍 Can see checked out books
- 👍 Get notified for pick up
- 👍 Digital library card available

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Constantly logs out users
- 🐛 Slow loading times
- 🐛 Filters do not work
- 🐛 Discover section is blank

**Reported bugs**

- Category toggles are tricky and don't reflect changes immediately
- Pick up location changes don't seem to stick
- App logs users out constantly
- Discover section is blank, new content doesn't appear
- Filters to search for items no longer work

**Requested features**

- Fix the issue of being logged out every session
- Improve category toggles and make changes stick
- Fix discover section to show new content
- Make filters work correctly
- Add app support to website


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Boundless free?

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

### Is SWAN Libraries + free?

SWAN Libraries + is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Boundless or SWAN Libraries +?

Boundless is rated higher. Boundless averages 4.4 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while SWAN Libraries + averages 1.8 from 73 ratings.

### Do Boundless or SWAN Libraries + have ads?

Neither Boundless nor SWAN Libraries + shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Boundless or SWAN Libraries +?

Boundless ships an update monthly, and SWAN Libraries + monthly. Most recently, Boundless was updated on September 25, 2026 and SWAN Libraries + on September 6, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*