# LibrariesNI vs Samanta X

LibrariesNI and Samanta X are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

LibrariesNI ships an update every 4 months, Samanta X every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LibrariesNI | Samanta X |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 26.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 50 MB | 110 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Northern Ireland Library Authority](https://appshunter.io/developer/1485708832) | [Philipa Kelly](https://appshunter.io/developer/1570024095) |

## What reviewers say

### LibrariesNI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/librariesni/id873149969)

Access your library account on the go. Search the catalog, place holds, manage checked-out items, and discover new reading suggestions. You can even scan item barcodes to find them in the library.

**Highlights:** Search library catalog, Place holds on items, Manage user account, Track checked-out items, Scan item barcodes, Discover suggested reading

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Samanta X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/samanta-x/id6747803718)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LibrariesNI free?

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

### Is Samanta X free?

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

### Do LibrariesNI or Samanta X have ads?

Neither LibrariesNI nor Samanta X shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LibrariesNI or Samanta X?

LibrariesNI ships an update every 4 months, and Samanta X every 2 months. Most recently, LibrariesNI was updated on October 3, 2026 and Samanta X on October 14, 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.*