# LibraryThing vs TLN Library Catalog

The clearest difference is update cadence: LibraryThing at every 4 weeks against TLN Library Catalog's every 16 months. LibraryThing also leads on rating (3.5 vs 3.1) and ratings volume (278 vs 12). On price, review sentiment, 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.

LibraryThing holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LibraryThing has 278 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 47% of LibraryThing's written reviews are positive against 50% of TLN Library Catalog's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, TLN Library Catalog every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LibraryThing | TLN Library Catalog |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.5 (278 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/librarything/id948824489/reviews)** | [3.1 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tln-library-catalog/id1444935670/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **278** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | 47.2% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 16 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [LibraryThing.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/397718884) | [The Library Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/399128321) |

## 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


### TLN Library Catalog

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tln-library-catalog/id1444935670)

Access your local library's catalog and account from your mobile device. Search for books, movies, and ebooks, place holds, renew loans, and pay fines. Find library locations and hours, and download digital content.

**Highlights:** Search catalog (books, movies, ebooks), Place holds, Renew loans, Pay fines, Download eBooks, Find library locations and hours

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LibraryThing free?

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

### Is TLN Library Catalog free?

TLN Library Catalog is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, LibraryThing or TLN Library Catalog?

LibraryThing is rated higher. LibraryThing averages 3.5 out of 5 from 278 ratings, while TLN Library Catalog averages 3.1 from 12 ratings.

### Do LibraryThing or TLN Library Catalog have ads?

Neither LibraryThing nor TLN Library Catalog shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LibraryThing or TLN Library Catalog?

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, and TLN Library Catalog every 16 months. Most recently, LibraryThing was updated on October 12, 2026 and TLN Library Catalog on October 1, 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.*