# KCLS vs Seattle Public Library

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Seattle Public Library at 75% against KCLS's 28%. Seattle Public Library also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ratings volume, 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.

Seattle Public Library holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 25 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 28% of KCLS's written reviews are positive against 75% of Seattle Public Library's.

KCLS ships an update every 3 months, Seattle Public Library every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KCLS | Seattle Public Library |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kcls/id746221889/reviews) | **[4.3 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seattle-public-library/id6744311518/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 17 | **25** |
| Positive reviews | 27.5% of reviews | **75.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 22 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [King County Library System](https://appshunter.io/developer/470795180) | [The Seattle Public Library](https://appshunter.io/developer/1807024660) |

## What reviewers say

### KCLS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kcls/id746221889)

Manage your library account conveniently from your mobile device. Discover new books, place holds, renew borrowed items, and easily locate library branches and their hours.

**Highlights:** Discover and search library collection, Place, manage, and cancel holds, Renew borrowed items, Rate and save titles, Find library locations and hours, Browse bestsellers and new arrivals

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to log in
- 👍 Fun books to read
- 👍 Excellent app
- 👍 Helpful for all ages
- 👍 Convenient for managing holds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable app
- 🐛 Constant sign in issues
- 🐛 Failed sign in attempts count against user
- 🐛 Return book function doesn't work
- 🐛 Search bar coded too narrowly

**Reported bugs**

- Keeps logging out
- Constant sign in issues
- Failed sign in attempts count against user
- Return book function doesn't work
- Search bar coded too narrowly

**Requested features**

- Correct misspellings in search
- Allow less than exact search terms
- Auto-correction in search
- Word suggestion in search
- Dark mode option


### Seattle Public Library

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seattle-public-library/id6744311518)

Access the library's catalog, manage your account, and check out books from your mobile device. You can also find branches, reserve rooms, and explore library resources.

**Highlights:** Search catalog and place holds, Digital library card, Instant checkout by scanning, Manage account and borrowing, Scan ISBN to find books, Find branches and hours, Reserve rooms

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KCLS free?

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

### Is Seattle Public Library free?

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

### Which has better reviews, KCLS or Seattle Public Library?

Seattle Public Library is rated higher. KCLS averages 3.8 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Seattle Public Library averages 4.3 from 25 ratings.

### Do KCLS or Seattle Public Library have ads?

Neither KCLS nor Seattle Public Library shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, KCLS or Seattle Public Library?

KCLS ships an update every 3 months, and Seattle Public Library every 3 weeks. Most recently, KCLS was updated on October 23, 2026 and Seattle Public Library on October 24, 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.*