# SFPL vs SPL Mobile

The clearest difference is rating: SPL Mobile at 4.7 against SFPL's 4.0. SPL Mobile also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 29%). SFPL's advantage is ratings volume (50 vs 12). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

SPL Mobile holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 50 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of SFPL's written reviews are positive against 67% of SPL Mobile's.

SFPL ships an update every 4 months, SPL Mobile every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SFPL | SPL Mobile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (50 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sfpl/id952828394/reviews) | **[4.7 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl-mobile/id1512423786/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **50** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | **66.7% 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) | [City of Sunnyvale](https://appshunter.io/developer/807509152) |

## 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


### SPL Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spl-mobile/id1512423786)

Access library services on the go with this mobile app. Search the collection, place holds, renew items, and discover new titles. Download eBooks and eAudiobooks, and stay updated on library information.

**Highlights:** Search library collection with filters, Browse bestsellers and new releases, View title details and community reviews, Place and manage holds, Renew borrowed items, Download eBooks and eAudiobooks

**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 SPL Mobile free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SFPL or SPL Mobile?

SPL Mobile is rated higher. SFPL averages 4.0 out of 5 from 50 ratings, while SPL Mobile averages 4.7 from 12 ratings.

### Do SFPL or SPL Mobile have ads?

Neither SFPL nor SPL Mobile shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SFPL or SPL Mobile?

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