LibraryThing vs BookTower Barcode Library
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
LibraryThing
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.
- Catalog books, DVDs, and CDs
- Search for media items
- Scan ISBN barcodes
- Add high-resolution cover photos
- Browse collection by cover type
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The LibraryThing app allows LibraryThing members to catalog and browse their collections. LibraryThing is focused on books, but you can add most media, including books, DVDs and CDs. LibraryThing relies on data from Amazon, and over 65 million library records. Add books by searching for them or scanning their ISBN barcode with the camera. Add high-resolution cover photos of your books with the cover editor and browse your books by cover type to find copies that need better covers.
BookTower Barcode Library
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Add books instantly with a barcode scan Keep read reading and want to read lists together Build a personal library and track your reading journey
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: LibraryThing at none against BookTower Barcode Library's shown. LibraryThing also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.1). BookTower Barcode Library's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 4 weeks). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
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, BookTower Barcode Library every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | LibraryThing | BookTower Barcode Library |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (278 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 47.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 278 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | LibraryThing.com | minchul kim |
Bugs and requests
LibraryThing
Reported bugs
3 issues- Barcode scanner not working
- Books disappearing from catalog
- Editing and saving issues
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to create custom collections
- Offline access to library
- Integration with other book apps
- Lending/loan tracking feature
BookTower Barcode Library
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
LibraryThing
No in-app purchases
BookTower Barcode Library
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is LibraryThing free?
Is BookTower Barcode Library free?
Do LibraryThing or BookTower Barcode Library have ads?
Which is updated more often, LibraryThing or BookTower Barcode Library?
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