# LibraryThing vs Ebook Central

The clearest difference is review sentiment: LibraryThing at 48% against Ebook Central's 0%. LibraryThing also leads on rating (3.5 vs 1.6) and ratings volume (278 vs 34). Ebook Central's advantage is device support (4 vs 2). 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 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LibraryThing has 278 ratings behind it against 34, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of LibraryThing's written reviews are positive against 0% of Ebook Central's.

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, Ebook Central every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | LibraryThing | Ebook Central |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.5 (278 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/librarything/id948824489/reviews)** | [1.6 (34 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ebook-central/id6502346051/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **278** | 34 |
| Positive reviews | **48.2% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #206 | **#156** |
| Size | 9 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [LibraryThing.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/397718884) | [Clarivate Analytics (US) LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1291059975) |

## What reviewers say

### LibraryThing

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

**Currently charting:** #206 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


### Ebook Central

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ebook-central/id6502346051)

**Currently charting:** #156 Top Free · Book (US App Store)

Read downloaded ebooks from your library securely and accessibly, anytime and anywhere. This app offers a modern reading experience with streamlined authentication and an intuitive interface, syncing your progress across devices for uninterrupted research, even offline.

**Highlights:** Offline reading, Secure reading experience, Streamlined authentication, Intuitive interface, Cross-device syncing, Accessible reading

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LibraryThing free?

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

### Is Ebook Central free?

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

### Which has better reviews, LibraryThing or Ebook Central?

LibraryThing is rated higher. LibraryThing averages 3.5 out of 5 from 278 ratings, while Ebook Central averages 1.6 from 34 ratings.

### Do LibraryThing or Ebook Central have ads?

Neither LibraryThing nor Ebook Central shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LibraryThing or Ebook Central?

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, and Ebook Central every 2 months. Most recently, LibraryThing was updated on September 29, 2026 and Ebook Central on September 29, 2026.

### Which is more popular, LibraryThing or Ebook Central?

LibraryThing currently peaks at #206 in the App Store charts, and Ebook Central at #156. 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.*