# LibraryThing vs CW MARS Libraries

The clearest difference is update cadence: LibraryThing at every 4 weeks against CW MARS Libraries's every 4 months. LibraryThing also leads on ratings volume (278 vs 26) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). CW MARS Libraries's advantage is rating (3.8 vs 3.5) and review sentiment (56% vs 47%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

CW MARS Libraries holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LibraryThing has 278 ratings behind it against 26, 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 56% of CW MARS Libraries's.

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, CW MARS Libraries every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LibraryThing | CW MARS Libraries |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (278 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/librarything/id948824489/reviews) | **[3.8 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cw-mars-libraries/id1434646418/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **278** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | 47.2% of reviews | **56.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [LibraryThing.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/397718884) | [Kenneth Cox](https://appshunter.io/developer/1400443993) |

## What reviewers say

### LibraryThing

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

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


### CW MARS Libraries

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cw-mars-libraries/id1434646418)

Access the shared catalog of libraries across Central and Western Massachusetts. Requires a library card and password from a participating CW MARS member library to use.

**Highlights:** Access shared library catalog, Search for books and materials, Manage library account, Find participating libraries

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LibraryThing free?

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

### Is CW MARS Libraries free?

CW MARS Libraries is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, LibraryThing or CW MARS Libraries?

CW MARS Libraries is rated higher. LibraryThing averages 3.5 out of 5 from 278 ratings, while CW MARS Libraries averages 3.8 from 26 ratings.

### Do LibraryThing or CW MARS Libraries have ads?

Neither LibraryThing nor CW MARS Libraries shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LibraryThing or CW MARS Libraries?

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, and CW MARS Libraries every 4 months. Most recently, LibraryThing was updated on October 12, 2026 and CW MARS Libraries on October 8, 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.*