Comparison

Chicago Public Library vs OCLS | Florida

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Chicago Public Library

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
Read full description

Which branch has the book I want? What's available now from my For Later shelf? When are my DVDs due? Use CPL's app to manage your account and find new titles. Features: - See what you have checked out - Place holds - Renew materials - Search the CPL catalog - Keep track of what you've read and would like to read - Browse new and on order titles - Find upcoming events at your preferred location - View hours, locations and contact information - Use the app to show your library card when checking out materials in person - Scan the barcode of a book, DVD or CD to search for it in CPL's catalog

About

OCLS | Florida

Access a world of books, music, and events from your local library system. Borrow e-books and audiobooks, register for classes, and manage your library account all in one place.

Highlights
  • Search catalog for books and movies
  • Borrow e-books and audiobooks
  • Discover and register for library events
  • Digital library card access
  • Manage holds and checkouts
  • Find library locations and directions
Features
Read full description

Discover a new way to experience your Orange County Library System with the OCLS app – a gateway to a world of books, music, events and more wherever you are! With this app, you can:  Find book recommendations and search the catalog for books, movies and more. Enjoy easy access to e-books and audiobooks for on-the-go reading and listening.   Explore library classes and events, and even register for them directly in the app. Conveniently borrow items through the "Checkout an Item" feature while browsing the stacks in a library location. Access your holds, checkouts, event registrations and room reservations in ONE place. View your digital library card and add it to your device’s wallet. Find the nearest library location and get directions.   The OCLS app is a great way to learn, grow and connect! Download it today!

Screenshots

Chicago Public Library4 screens
OCLS | Florida4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: OCLS | Florida at 100% against Chicago Public Library's 32%. OCLS | Florida also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.5). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OCLS | Florida holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 64 and 22 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of Chicago Public Library's written reviews are positive against 100% of OCLS | Florida's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Chicago Public Library versus OCLS | Florida: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChicago Public LibraryOCLS | Florida
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (64 ratings)5.0 (22 ratings) — better
Positive reviews31.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings64 — better22
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCity of ChicagoOrange County Library System

Customer experience

Chicago Public Library

All ratings64 ratings
Positive53.1%
Neutral15.6%
Negative31.3%
Written reviews47 reviews
Positive31.9%
Neutral29.8%
Negative38.3%

OCLS | Florida

All ratings21 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Chicago Public Library

Reported bugs

27 issues
  • 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
Show 22 more
  • Logs me out constantly
  • Takes me out of the browser and I have to go through all the steps to get back
  • Confusing downloading a held ebook
  • Logs me out a lot
  • Cannot log in, doesn't load, can't search books
  • App asking for username, not accepting card ID
  • Cannot create an account, error messages
  • App logs you out if you switch to another app
  • App doesn’t seem to have been updated to accommodate the iPhone 12 mini
  • Borrowing ebooks or audiobooks requires multiple apps to synchronize
  • App does not have availability by branch location
  • App does not alert you when items are due, overdue or holds available
  • App shows book is available but without a location
  • On order and new releases are no longer available
  • Clunky on iPad, awkward in portrait view
  • Slow to respond on iPad
  • Cannot locate feature showing exact location of a desired book
  • No iPhone X screen size update
  • Crashes every time I attempt to open “for later”
  • App will not refine search
  • Accept and deny buttons reversed
  • Crashes every time I try to login

Requested features

14 requests
  • Add notifications for holds
  • Add library card to Apple Wallet
  • Improve audiobook browser experience
  • Provide direct download links for ebooks
  • Display library alerts prominently
Show 9 more
  • Allow users to create usernames
  • Update app for iPhone 12 mini
  • Improve ebook/audiobook synchronization
  • Add page counts for books
  • Add pass to Apple Wallet
  • Add Passport version of CPL Library Card
  • Allow reserving computers via app
  • Add notifications for book due dates
  • Improve interface/design of app

OCLS | Florida

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Chicago Public Library

No in-app purchases

None

OCLS | Florida

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chicago Public Library free?
Chicago Public Library is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is OCLS | Florida free?
OCLS | Florida is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Chicago Public Library or OCLS | Florida?
OCLS | Florida is rated higher. Chicago Public Library averages 3.5 out of 5 from 64 ratings, while OCLS | Florida averages 5.0 from 22 ratings.
Do Chicago Public Library or OCLS | Florida have ads?
Neither Chicago Public Library nor OCLS | Florida shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chicago Public Library or OCLS | Florida?
Chicago Public Library ships an update every 2 months, and OCLS | Florida every 2 months. Most recently, Chicago Public Library was updated on October 23, 2026 and OCLS | Florida on October 28, 2026.

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