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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Amazon Kindle vs Libby

Amazon Kindle 4.9★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner Libby
Libby 4.9★ · Free + IAP 85

Libby is the better choice for users seeking free access to a vast library of books and audiobooks through their local library, while Amazon Kindle is preferred for those who want to purchase and own digital books with robust reading features and device syncing.

Full reviews: Amazon Kindle · Libby

Libby offers free access to library books and audiobooks, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious readers, despite occasional wait times. Amazon Kindle provides a vast selection of books for purchase, strong device integration, and good reading features, but users report issues with search, recommendations, and recent updates.

Head to head

Content Access & Selection edge: LibbyR1R2R5R10
Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle offers a wide variety of books for purchase, including specific genres like supernatural dark books, though some users feel the selection is limited in certain niches R2. Users appreciate being able to find and read what they want instantly R5. However, some find the filtering and search capabilities limited, making it hard to find specific types of non-fiction R1. There are also complaints about AI-generated book recommendations that are difficult to remove R10.
Libby Libby provides free access to a vast collection of books and audiobooks through local libraries, which users highly value R58R73. Many users appreciate the ability to borrow books without cost and discover new titles R76. However, a common complaint is the need to wait for popular titles due to limited copies . Some users also report limited collections for specific genres like history .
Ease of Use & Features edge: LibbyR6R9R13R15
Amazon Kindle Kindle is praised for its convenience, portability, and the ability to sync across devices . Users appreciate features like adjustable font size for better readability R23 and easy annotation . However, recent updates have introduced issues like books disappearing R30, collections going missing R6R32, two-column page formats R24, and app crashes R9. Some users also find the app's integration with Amazon lists lacking R15 and report difficulty accessing Prime-eligible books on iPhone R13.
Libby Libby is generally considered super user-friendly and easy to navigate R73. Users love the streamlined process of borrowing and returning books R95. The app is particularly praised for its audiobook functionality, making it easy to listen on the go R69R74R76. However, some users experience issues with device syncing for tags and holds and an error where pages can't be loaded without a phone reset . There are also requests for features like tracking daily listening minutes and better indication of read books .
Reliability & Performance tieR9R26R28R30
Amazon Kindle Kindle users report significant reliability issues, including the app crashing after finishing chapters R9, books vanishing after updates R30, and collections disappearing R32. Some updates are seen as making the app worse R26, and there are reports of the app not working on specific devices like Mac M5 R28.
Libby Libby generally performs well, but some users encounter a recurring error where pages fail to load, requiring a phone reset . There are also complaints about holds not being ready or expiring without proper notification . Some users find the app and website don't sync saved titles .
Price & Value edge: LibbyR8R13R23R55
Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle is a free app, but books are typically purchased, though some are included with Prime R13. Users see it as a good investment for self-improvement R8 and appreciate the convenience of instant book purchases R23.
Libby Libby is highly valued for being completely free, offering access to thousands of books and audiobooks with just a library card R55R58R73. Many users highlight the significant savings compared to paid services like Audible R95.
Support & User Experience tieR3R4R12R16
Amazon Kindle Kindle users report frustration with unresponsive support when facing issues like e-reader malfunction R16. A major recurring complaint is the excessive and persistent requests to rate and review the app, even after doing so R4R12. There are also concerns about the lack of editing in many books and reported errors not being fixed R3.
Libby Libby users express strong dissatisfaction with the recent introduction of generative AI features and AI books, with no option to opt out, leading some to stop using the app . Some users also complain about the quality of the search engine and the content selection, specifically regarding DEI books .
Pick Amazon Kindle if

you prefer to purchase and own your digital books, value a wide selection of titles available for instant access, and appreciate features like font enlargement and cross-device syncing R5R23.

Pick Libby if

you want free access to a vast library of books and audiobooks through your local library, are comfortable with occasional wait times for popular titles, and prioritize a user-friendly app for borrowing and listening R58R73.

Evidence note: Recent negative reviews for Amazon Kindle often highlight issues with app updates and persistent review requests, while Libby's recent negative feedback is heavily skewed by user dissatisfaction with the introduction of generative AI features. The free nature of Libby means some complaints stem from library-specific limitations (wait times, collection size) rather than app functionality itself.

Frequently asked

Is Amazon Kindle or Libby better for free books?
Libby is significantly better for free books, as it provides access to thousands of titles and audiobooks from your local library at no cost, requiring only a library card R58R73R95. Amazon Kindle is primarily a platform for purchasing books, though some titles may be included with a Prime subscription R13.
Do both apps offer audiobooks?
Yes, both apps offer audiobooks, with Libby being particularly praised by users for its extensive and free audiobook selection through libraries R69R74R76. Amazon Kindle also includes an audio option with some book purchases R35.
Are there any major recent issues with either app?
Yes, Amazon Kindle users have reported recent issues with app updates causing books and collections to vanish, app crashes, and changes to page formatting R9R24R30R32. Libby users have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the recent rollout of generative AI features and AI books, which cannot be opted out of .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 110 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Amazon Kindle 2/5 · GB Filters very limited: Its a great app, when it works. Its searching that gets me. I want Historical non fiction. I tried just selecting “historical “. It apparently has 6 books, and 3 of them are novels. Drives me nuts!
  2. [R2] Amazon Kindle 4/5 · GB More book options: I love kindle but the supernatural dark books are brilliant - mostly - but there isn’t enough of them! Very limited compared to other series.
  3. [R5] Amazon Kindle 5/5 · GB Happy reader: I am so happy to have kindle on my all devices. Everything what I want I can find and read when I want. Try it and you will love it. Highly recommended.
  4. [R10] Amazon Kindle 2/5 · GB Love the app. HATE THE ai recommendations: Please please please can we allow readers to block ‘authors’ or at the very least allow the suggested books on the app to be removed with one click. No matter what I do blatant ai books are being shown to me constantly. I’ve just counted 22 shown on the app. I just want to get rid of them!!!
  5. [R6] Amazon Kindle 3/5 · GB Collection information missing: Since the last update, when you search for a book it is not then possible to check which collections they are held in, the returned information is blank when you select the option.
  6. [R9] Amazon Kindle 3/5 · GB Keeps crashing: Every time I finish a chapter the book goes back to the book cover the page blanks out .was working fine before the last update not happy today because I just want to read so it’s a 3 star for now
  7. [R13] Amazon Kindle 1/5 · GB Couldn’t use on iPhone, what’s the point: As Amazon Prime subscriber, I wanted to make use of Amazon Kindle offer to read books included with Prime. I prompted from Amazon app to download Kindle, log in and was hoping to download eligible books with a click of a button but it turned to be impossible- instead of Download button there was a button with Amazon website link clicking upon which, AppSt
  8. [R15] Amazon Kindle 3/5 · GB Needs to sync up with Amazon lists: This is ok, but it needs more integrated functionality with Amazon lists.
  9. [R26] Amazon Kindle 2/5 · GB Getting Worse: I admire Amazon’s ability to take something quite good and make it a little worse with each update.
  10. [R28] Amazon Kindle 1/5 · GB Does NOT work on Mac M5: Useless!
  11. [R30] Amazon Kindle 1/5 · GB Update: I have updated the app and all the books including the one I was reading has now vanished
  12. [R8] Amazon Kindle 5/5 · GB !!!: Un très bon investissement sur soi même !!!!!!!!
  13. [R23] Amazon Kindle 5/5 · GB Kindle reading App: One man’s meat is another man’s poison”, but for me, electronic books are a joy. I’ve been a Kindle user since they first came out, and I still love them. The convenience of buying books instantly and carrying hundreds of novels, especially when going on holiday, is unbeatable. With my eyesight not being what it used to be, the ability to increase the font size is a huge benefit.
  14. [R55] Libby 5/5 · US In heaven: I’m the type that likes to read/ listen to a book before I buy it. So if you’re like me this is the ideal app.
  15. [R3] Amazon Kindle 3/5 · GB Needs editors: The level of error across the range I have read says that there is no recognition of a publishers onus to provide any editing. I suspect that this effort and cost has been shoved back at the authors. This is a bad business model, particularly since any reader is apparently able to report mistakes but nothing happens; books I read two years ago still have the same errors. It would no
  16. [R4] Amazon Kindle 1/5 · GB To many requests to rate: Bending
  17. [R12] Amazon Kindle 3/5 · GB Rarely reviews stuff: Bored with being asked to provide reviews
  18. [R16] Amazon Kindle 1/5 · GB My e reader is not working!: I contacted Amazon Kindle support 2 days ago and they have been unable to help.🥲Hopefully soon.
  19. [R58] Libby 5/5 · US Really cool: Books for free????? Amazing!
  20. [R73] Libby 5/5 · US The easiest and best app!: Thank you Libby for making it so easy to find my way through great books and media!!! And everything is free - really free - just snag your library card and enjoy!!!
  21. [R95] Libby 5/5 · US A gift!: What a gift the Libby app is! I’m so happy to find out this was offered by my local library. Such great selections and the fact it’s free👀Whatttt!!! Yes, please. Used to pay $22 a month for audible. Borrowing is easy, requesting is easy just all around a great app!
  22. [R35] Amazon Kindle 5/5 · GB James Miller: My most recent purchase included audio option I was not aware that this came with the book or it was already on my computer, as i had not taken any notice of it before but I am now making full use of the option. I do not see this as an app, or nor has it been downloaded as part of an update due to my laptop no longer able to be updated due to age.
  23. [R69] Libby 5/5 · US Great for ADHD readers!: Audio books make life so much easier for me. I go through books so fast! Libby has given me such easy access to audio books from my library. Listening to books while working has helped me get through my day.
  24. [R74] Libby 5/5 · US Best app ever: All the best audio books, for free, available through your local library, at the convenience of your mobile device.
  25. [R76] Libby 5/5 · US Audiobooks: I have just discovered the joy of audiobooks and am so grateful for the Libby app! I can check out books to try for free, and return if I don’t care for it. It’s been a great source for discovering new books!
  26. [R24] Amazon Kindle 2/5 · GB Two Column Pages?: Since the most recent upgrade, whenever I open a book, the pages are in a two column format. Is this a bug or is there a way to choose between one and two columns.
  27. [R32] Amazon Kindle 1/5 · GB Where have my collections gone: First the “Uncollected” collection meant missing. Followed the help desk advice to delete the app and reload. Now have lost ALL my collections. Not impressed and very annoyed. Come on Amazon sort it out and get your act together

Synthesized from 110 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store