# Chicago Public Library vs Boundless

The clearest difference is rating: Boundless at 4.4 against Chicago Public Library's 3.5. Boundless also leads on ratings volume (18K vs 64) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, 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 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Boundless has 18K ratings behind it against 64, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 32% and 32% positive.

Chicago Public Library ships an update every 2 months, Boundless monthly. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Chicago Public Library | Boundless |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chicago-public-library/id742936884/reviews) | **[4.4 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boundless/id6449712082/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 64 | **18K** |
| Positive reviews | 31.9% of reviews | **32.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 22 MB | 177 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [City of Chicago](https://appshunter.io/developer/1441580122) | [Baker & Taylor](https://appshunter.io/developer/634003725) |

## 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

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and helpful app
- 📚 Love the library and audiobook features
- ✨ Pretty good app for a government agency
- ✅ Easy to reserve books and see waitlist
- 🚀 Seamless public library experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constantly logging out
- 🐛 Cannot log back in
- 🐛 App not opening
- 🐛 Takes user out of audiobook browser
- 🐛 Confusing ebook download process

**Reported bugs**

- App is CONSTANTLY having issues
- Logs me out and I can’t get back in
- Often miss holds due to no notifications
- Repeatedly logged out, or can’t log in at all
- Not opening since 4/2/2024

**Requested features**

- Add notifications for holds
- Add library card to Apple Wallet
- Improve audiobook browser experience
- Provide direct download links for ebooks
- Display library alerts prominently


### 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Chicago Public Library free?

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

### Is Boundless free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Chicago Public Library or Boundless?

Boundless is rated higher. Chicago Public Library averages 3.5 out of 5 from 64 ratings, while Boundless averages 4.4 from 18K ratings.

### Do Chicago Public Library or Boundless have ads?

Neither Chicago Public Library nor Boundless shows ads.

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

Chicago Public Library ships an update every 2 months, and Boundless monthly. Most recently, Chicago Public Library was updated on October 21, 2026 and Boundless on October 21, 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.*