# LibraryThing vs OWWL Library System

The clearest difference is review sentiment: LibraryThing at 48% against OWWL Library System's 0%. LibraryThing also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 10 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). 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 ships an update every 4 weeks, OWWL Library System every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LibraryThing | OWWL Library System |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.5 (278 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/librarything/id948824489/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **278** | — |
| Positive reviews | **48.2% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 10 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- 🤖 Outdated and dated UI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


### OWWL Library System

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/owwl-library-system/id1638623852)

Access the shared catalog of over forty public libraries across four counties. Search for books, place holds, manage your account, and renew borrowed items directly from your device. Requires a library card from a participating OWWL member library.

**Highlights:** Search shared library catalog, Place holds on items, View and manage your account, Renew borrowed items, Access forty-two public libraries

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LibraryThing free?

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

### Is OWWL Library System free?

OWWL Library System is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do LibraryThing or OWWL Library System have ads?

Neither LibraryThing nor OWWL Library System shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LibraryThing or OWWL Library System?

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, and OWWL Library System every 10 months. Most recently, LibraryThing was updated on September 24, 2026 and OWWL Library System on September 16, 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.*