# LibraryThing vs Novel Effect

The clearest difference is rating: Novel Effect at 4.9 against LibraryThing's 3.5. Novel Effect also leads on review sentiment (76% vs 47%) and ratings volume (9.9K vs 288). LibraryThing's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Novel Effect sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. LibraryThing asks for nothing beyond the download.

Novel Effect holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Novel Effect has 9.9K ratings behind it against 288, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of LibraryThing's written reviews are positive against 76% of Novel Effect's.

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, Novel Effect every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LibraryThing | Novel Effect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (288 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/librarything/id948824489/reviews) | **[4.9 (9.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novel-effect-read-aloud-books/id1057374139/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 288 | **9.9K** |
| Positive reviews | 47.5% of reviews | **76.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | #198 | **#29** |
| Size | 9 MB | 212 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [LibraryThing.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/397718884) | [Novel Effect Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1057374138) |

## What reviewers say

### LibraryThing

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/librarything/id948824489)

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

Catalog your personal book, DVD, and CD collections. Easily add items by searching or scanning barcodes. Enhance your catalog with high-resolution cover photos and browse your collection visually.

**Highlights:** Catalog books, DVDs, and CDs, Search for media items, Scan ISBN barcodes, Add high-resolution cover photos, Browse collection by cover type

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick barcode scanning
- 👍 Useful for cataloging library
- 🚀 Fast book addition

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitches and crashes
- 🔍 Limited search and editing capabilities
- 🤖 Outdated and dated UI

**Reported bugs**

- Barcode scanner not working
- Books disappearing from catalog
- Editing and saving issues

**Requested features**

- Ability to create custom collections
- Offline access to library
- Integration with other book apps
- Lending/loan tracking feature


### Novel Effect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novel-effect-read-aloud-books/id1057374139)

**Currently charting:** #29 Top Grossing · Book, #178 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

This app enhances children's storybook reading by adding interactive music, sound effects, and character voices that respond to your voice. It aims to make reading time magical, promote literacy, and spark imagination for kids up to 12 years old.

**Highlights:** Voice-activated music and sound effects, Character voices respond to reading, Hundreds of curated children's books, Weekly new book additions, Supports print books and eBooks, Classroom and family versions

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium Access | $5.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium Access | $7.99 | per month |
| Annual Premium Access | $41.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium Access | $49.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium Access | $49.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium Access | $59.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium Access | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ❤️ Loved the app
- 🤩 Fun and good family time
- 🎨 Brings books to life
- 👍 Engaging for students
- 🎉 Adds magic to reading

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Many locked books need premium
- 🔇 Sound issues - quiet or out of sync
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🤔 Not as many titles as expected

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or gets stuck
- Progress meter doesn't match audio

**Requested features**

- Add more books, especially current titles
- Improve audio sync and volume
- Implement Apple Family Sharing
- Add more free books or samples
- Provide option to turn off background music


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LibraryThing free?

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

### Is Novel Effect free?

Novel Effect is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, LibraryThing or Novel Effect?

Novel Effect is rated higher. LibraryThing averages 3.5 out of 5 from 288 ratings, while Novel Effect averages 4.9 from 9.9K ratings.

### Do LibraryThing or Novel Effect have ads?

Neither LibraryThing nor Novel Effect shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LibraryThing or Novel Effect?

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, and Novel Effect every 2 months. Most recently, LibraryThing was updated on November 11, 2026 and Novel Effect on November 12, 2026.

### Which is more popular, LibraryThing or Novel Effect?

LibraryThing currently peaks at #198 in the App Store charts, and Novel Effect at #29. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*