# LibraryThing vs NetGalley Shelf

The clearest difference is rating: LibraryThing at 3.5 against NetGalley Shelf's 2.1. LibraryThing also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 6 months) and review sentiment (47% vs 20%). 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.

LibraryThing holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 2.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 278 and 83 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of LibraryThing's written reviews are positive against 20% of NetGalley Shelf's.

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, NetGalley Shelf every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LibraryThing | NetGalley Shelf |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.5 (278 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/librarything/id948824489/reviews)** | [2.1 (83 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/netgalley-shelf/id1499581600/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **278** | 83 |
| Positive reviews | **47.2% of reviews** | 19.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #203 | **#108** |
| Size | 9 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [LibraryThing.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/397718884) | [NetGalley, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1499581599) |

## What reviewers say

### LibraryThing

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

**Currently charting:** #203 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


### NetGalley Shelf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/netgalley-shelf/id1499581600)

**Currently charting:** #108 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

Access and review digital books and audiobooks provided by publishers and authors. Discover new titles, download them for offline reading, or stream audiobooks directly within the app. This platform is designed for book advocates and industry professionals to provide valuable feedback.

**Highlights:** Access digital review copies, Listen to audiobooks, Download books for offline reading, Stream audiobooks, Discover new titles, Request and review books

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works fine for some users
- 👍 Keeps user logged in
- 👍 Audiobooks work well
- 🚀 Able to read ebooks

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Narration speed issues
- 🐛 Confusing interface
- 🔒 Login issues
- 🐛 Bookmarks and positions don't sync
- 🐛 No built-in dictionary

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues
- Downloading issues with audiobooks
- Books disappearing from shelf
- Inability to remove expired books
- Inconsistent behavior when opening books

**Requested features**

- Add ability to write reviews within the app
- Improve audiobook playback controls
- Add font size adjustment
- Implement dark mode
- Sync reading progress across devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LibraryThing free?

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

### Is NetGalley Shelf free?

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

### Which has better reviews, LibraryThing or NetGalley Shelf?

LibraryThing is rated higher. LibraryThing averages 3.5 out of 5 from 278 ratings, while NetGalley Shelf averages 2.1 from 83 ratings.

### Do LibraryThing or NetGalley Shelf have ads?

Neither LibraryThing nor NetGalley Shelf shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LibraryThing or NetGalley Shelf?

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, and NetGalley Shelf every 6 months. Most recently, LibraryThing was updated on October 16, 2026 and NetGalley Shelf on October 18, 2026.

### Which is more popular, LibraryThing or NetGalley Shelf?

LibraryThing currently peaks at #203 in the App Store charts, and NetGalley Shelf at #108. 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.*