# SFPL vs MARINet

The clearest difference is rating: SFPL at 4.0 against MARINet's 3.3. SFPL also leads on ratings volume (50 vs 10). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

SFPL holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SFPL has 50 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 29% of SFPL's written reviews are positive against 33% of MARINet's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SFPL ships an update every 4 months, MARINet every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SFPL | MARINet |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (50 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sfpl/id952828394/reviews)** | [3.3 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/marinet/id1153332611/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **50** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | **33.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 22 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [San Francisco Public Library](https://appshunter.io/developer/1591076880) | [MARINet](https://appshunter.io/developer/1488669910) |

## What reviewers say

### SFPL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sfpl/id952828394)

Access your local library's catalog from your mobile device. Browse new releases, manage holds, renew borrowed items, and discover upcoming events. Plan your library visits with ease, all from your pocket.

**Highlights:** Browse new titles and recommendations, Place and manage holds, Renew checked out materials, Plan library visits, See upcoming events

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### MARINet

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/marinet/id1153332611)

Access your local library's digital collection and manage your account on the go. Borrow eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and more. Find nearby branches and check item availability.

**Highlights:** Search library catalog, Place and manage holds, Renew borrowed items, Access eBooks and audiobooks, Find library locations, View library card

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SFPL free?

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

### Is MARINet free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SFPL or MARINet?

SFPL is rated higher. SFPL averages 4.0 out of 5 from 50 ratings, while MARINet averages 3.3 from 10 ratings.

### Do SFPL or MARINet have ads?

Neither SFPL nor MARINet shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SFPL or MARINet?

SFPL ships an update every 4 months, and MARINet every 3 months. Most recently, SFPL was updated on September 8, 2026 and MARINet on September 10, 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.*