# Chicago Public Library vs PLS Connect

Chicago Public Library and PLS Connect both sit at 3.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 43% of PLS Connect's written reviews are positive against 32% of Chicago Public Library's. Chicago Public Library's advantage is ratings volume (64 vs 18). On price, rating, 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.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.5 for Chicago Public Library against 3.6 for PLS Connect. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 64 and 18 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 32% of Chicago Public Library's written reviews are positive against 43% of PLS Connect's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chicago Public Library | PLS Connect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chicago-public-library/id742936884/reviews) | **[3.6 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pls-connect/id1018459677/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **64** | 18 |
| Positive reviews | 31.9% of reviews | **42.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 22 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [City of Chicago](https://appshunter.io/developer/1441580122) | [Pioneer Library System](https://appshunter.io/developer/1018459676) |

## What reviewers say

### Chicago Public Library

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chicago-public-library/id742936884)

Manage your library account, search the catalog, and discover new titles. Track borrowed items, place holds, and find events. Use your digital library card for in-person checkouts.

**Highlights:** Manage checked out items, Place holds on materials, Renew borrowed items, Search library catalog, Track reading history, Browse new titles, Find library events

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### PLS Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pls-connect/id1018459677)

Access your library's catalog, eBooks, eMagazines, and streaming video content from your mobile device. Manage your account, check out items, and discover popular titles. You can even apply for a library card directly through the app.

**Highlights:** Search library catalog, Access eBooks and eMagazines, Stream video content, Manage library account, Checkout, renew, and return items, Digital library card access

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chicago Public Library free?

Chicago Public Library is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PLS Connect free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Chicago Public Library or PLS Connect?

PLS Connect is rated higher. Chicago Public Library averages 3.5 out of 5 from 64 ratings, while PLS Connect averages 3.6 from 18 ratings.

### Do Chicago Public Library or PLS Connect have ads?

Neither Chicago Public Library nor PLS Connect shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Chicago Public Library or PLS Connect?

Chicago Public Library ships an update every 2 months, and PLS Connect every 2 months. Most recently, Chicago Public Library was updated on September 9, 2026 and PLS Connect on September 15, 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.*