# LibraryThing vs Bookcase by Astropad

The clearest difference is rating: Bookcase by Astropad at 4.7 against LibraryThing's 3.5. Bookcase by Astropad also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 47%) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 4 weeks). LibraryThing's advantage is ratings volume (278 vs 6) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.6). 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.

Bookcase by Astropad holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LibraryThing has 278 ratings behind it against 6, 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 80% of Bookcase by Astropad's.

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, Bookcase by Astropad every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LibraryThing | Bookcase by Astropad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (278 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/librarything/id948824489/reviews) | **[4.7 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookcase-by-astropad/id6736535823/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **278** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 47.2% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [LibraryThing.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/397718884) | [Astro HQ](https://appshunter.io/developer/934510729) |

## 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


### Bookcase by Astropad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookcase-by-astropad/id6736535823)

This app helps create an ideal reading environment by automatically adjusting phone settings and opening preferred reading apps when connected to a specific accessory. Customize your reading experience for seamless immersion.

**Highlights:** Customizable reading environment, Automatic app launching, Phone setting toggles (Do Not Disturb, Reading Mode), Triggered by accessory connection, Personalized reading experience

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LibraryThing free?

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

### Is Bookcase by Astropad free?

Bookcase by Astropad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, LibraryThing or Bookcase by Astropad?

Bookcase by Astropad is rated higher. LibraryThing averages 3.5 out of 5 from 278 ratings, while Bookcase by Astropad averages 4.7 from 6 ratings.

### Do LibraryThing or Bookcase by Astropad have ads?

Neither LibraryThing nor Bookcase by Astropad shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LibraryThing or Bookcase by Astropad?

LibraryThing ships an update every 4 weeks, and Bookcase by Astropad every 5 days. Most recently, LibraryThing was updated on October 16, 2026 and Bookcase by Astropad on October 3, 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.*