Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Apple Books vs Libby

Apple Books 4.4★ · Free to download 55
Winner Libby
Libby 4.9★ · Free + IAP 90

Libby is the superior choice for most users due to its extensive free library access and highly praised user experience, while Apple Books struggles with pricing, bugs, and a less intuitive interface.

Full reviews: Apple Books · Libby

Libby offers free access to a vast collection of library books and audiobooks, making it a highly popular and convenient choice for readers. Apple Books, while integrated into the Apple ecosystem, faces criticism for book pricing, technical issues, and a less user-friendly interface.

Head to head

Features & Content edge: LibbyR2R3R5R7
Apple Books Apple Books users appreciate the ability to import EPUB files and find a variety of books, including free ones R5. However, many users criticize the limited selection of free books, the high cost of purchased books, and poor recommendations R2R3R7R12. There are also requests for features like audiobook bookmarks and notes, and better sorting options .
Libby Libby is widely praised for providing free access to a vast selection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from public libraries R83R86R104. Users love the ability to search, borrow, and place holds on books, and manage multiple library cards R77. Some users note that popular books can have long wait times or limited availability .
Ease of Use & Interface edge: LibbyR5R6R9R16
Apple Books Apple Books is described as generally easy to use for reading and finding free books R5. However, some users find the interface clunky, with needless animations and confusing changes to features like bookmarks R6R9. There are complaints about poor search capabilities, difficulty finding currently reading books, and distracting screen icons R16R48.
Libby Libby is consistently praised for being easy to use, intuitive, and simple to navigate . Users appreciate the straightforward process of searching for and borrowing books R77. However, some users mention weak search capabilities, difficulty tracking previously read books, and confusing audio access .
Reliability & Performance edge: LibbyR1R4R10R13
Apple Books Apple Books users report significant issues with bugs, app crashes, and loss of function R1R54. Syncing problems are common, with books reappearing after being deleted R4. The app is also criticized for heating up devices and draining battery, especially during audiobook playback R13. Some users experience difficulty purchasing books and problems with page turning R10.
Libby Libby generally performs well, with users reporting that the app works great . However, some users have experienced poor playback quality for audiobooks, describing it as muffled or gravely . There are also reports of the app consuming significant battery and data, even in the background . Download times can be long for some books .
Price & Value edge: LibbyR2R3R5R12
Apple Books Apple Books is free to download, but many users express frustration over the high cost of books within the app, wishing they were cheaper or free R2R3R12R18. While some free books are available, the primary content is paid R5.
Libby Libby is celebrated for its exceptional value, offering free access to a vast collection of ebooks and audiobooks through public libraries R83R104. Users highlight that this allows them to read popular books without paying for subscriptions R83R104.
Support & Accessibility tieR50R52R73R80
Apple Books Apple Books users mention issues with customer support, such as not being able to find previously purchased or archived books after a phone reset R50. There's a request for more inclusive fonts for individuals with dyslexia or ADHD R52.
Libby Libby users report issues with login problems, where the app support directs them to the library and the library directs them back to support R80. There's a concern about a lack of protection for children, as mature content can be accessed on a child's card R73.
Pick Apple Books if

You are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and primarily want to manage your own EPUB files or purchase books directly from Apple, despite the cost and reported bugs R50.

Pick Libby if

You want free access to a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through your local library, and value an easy-to-use interface for borrowing and reading R83.

Evidence note: Libby has a significantly higher number of ratings and a much higher lifetime average, indicating a broader base of satisfied users. Apple Books' lower rating and frequent complaints about core functionality suggest a less polished experience.

Frequently asked

Is Apple Books free?
Apple Books is free to download, but most books within the app, especially popular titles, require payment, with many users wishing for lower costs or more free options R2R3R12R18.
Can I read library books on Libby?
Yes, Libby is designed specifically for accessing ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from public libraries for free, requiring only a library card to borrow titles R83R86R104R118.
Which app has better performance?
Libby generally offers a more reliable experience, though some users report battery drain and occasional audio quality issues , while Apple Books is frequently criticized for bugs, app crashes, syncing problems, and excessive battery usage R1R4R13R54.
Is it easy to find books on these apps?
Libby is praised for its easy search and filtering options R77, while Apple Books users report weak and poorly designed search interfaces, making it hard to find new books or even currently reading titles R16R48.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 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. [R2] Apple Books 5/5 · US Pls be free: Bro I’m trying to read my summer book homework 😭😭😭 but I need to pay more just to read than this iPhone
  2. [R3] Apple Books 3/5 · US I just think the books should cost less: I still think Libby is better because all the books are free
  3. [R5] Apple Books 5/5 · US Books: There are lots of really good free books and it is rather easy to find them and it shows me how long I’ve read for and it has a lot of books I have been looking for but couldn’t find.
  4. [R7] Apple Books 1/5 · US A BAD BOOK APP!!: So I was scrolling through the app, and I only had three recommendations and had mass of little options to read. This was very disappointing and I couldn’t enjoy a good book.. this had me completely petrified to write this review. i’m sorry if this affected your so-called business. This was absolutely tremendous and I will not stand for this absolutely ridiculous app a part of th
  5. [R6] Apple Books 3/5 · US Clunky after so many years: Good enough. A bit clunky with all the needless animations. Old version was more intuitive.
  6. [R9] Apple Books 3/5 · US Book mark.: Stop messing with things that work. Put the bookmark in the top right corner like before. Don’t make things more difficult for us. It should be a 1 tap thing.
  7. [R16] Apple Books 2/5 · US Great for reading books, lousy for finding new ones: Generally, I love being able to carry my library wherever I go or picking up wherever I left off even when on a different device (iPad, Macbook, iPhone) and read it at a font size and style that is comfortable. I really dislike searching for new books though, the search interface is generally weak and poorly designed for advanced searches.
  8. [R1] Apple Books 1/5 · US Apple books: It has bugs and close app suddenly & lost its function
  9. [R4] Apple Books 1/5 · US Syncing Problem: Why won’t it stop syncing to my backup ? I physically click it off and it says “no data” I then backup my phone, check and it’s still there ???
  10. [R10] Apple Books 1/5 · US Hard to purchase books: It doesn’t always work when I wanna purchase a book
  11. [R13] Apple Books 1/5 · US Heats up and drains battery: Just listening to an audio book with the screen off, my brand new iPhone gets warm and drained 10% battery in just 20 minutes. Apple! Come on! It’s YOUR app! Why is it so poorly optimized?!
  12. [R12] Apple Books 3/5 · US It’s pretty good: I like the books, love the app, but the cost of the books aren’t very cheap. I kind of wish the costs of the books were lower.
  13. [R50] Apple Books 1/5 · GB Complicated app: I reset my phone and can’t find what I brought already or archived in the main list, so I have to guess and pay hoping it will tell me to just download it again. Also the info is online only so it’s difficult to get it when traveling with no WiFi. Books are also generally more expensive than on other apps.
  14. [R52] Apple Books 2/5 · GB I love this app but!!!: I absolutely love this app! more than kindle, but I’ve noticed that it could be even more inclusive for individuals with dyslexia or ADHD. Introducing fonts like OpenDyslexic would make a huge difference and help so many people!
  15. [R73] Libby 1/5 · GB No protection for children: Users should be aware that any books can be accessed on a child’s card, even books with mature adult content.
  16. [R80] Libby 1/5 · GB Can no longer login: Not sure if it s the app or my library, however I can’t login. App support say to contact my local library and my library say to contact support, please sort out your comms.
  17. [R18] Apple Books 3/5 · GB money: its good but when it gets to money its you know to much😊
  18. [R83] Libby 5/5 · US Everyone should have Libby: This app has allowed me to read every popular book that has come out in the last few years for free. We all have access to the library and Libby just takes it one step farther by allowing us to put it on a device. I love that I could get audiobooks on here and not have to pay for a subscription.
  19. [R86] Libby 5/5 · US Great book app: Easy to use & reserve audiobooks, books, movies, and magazines. Love reading in my devices!
  20. [R104] Libby 5/5 · US Libby Rules!!: This app is the best! It makes audio and e books available through any library you can get a card. For free! What’s not to love! It the libraries weren’t struggling, I’d wish for some of their funding to continue to support this app but I don’t know if we will even have libraries soon.
  21. [R118] Libby 5/5 · GB Great App: Libby is a great app for students. It has a really good variety of books, audiobooks, and magazines, and everything is easy to find and use. Borrowing titles through the app is simple, and the audiobook player works really well too. A convenient way to access lots of reading material for free.
  22. [R54] Apple Books 1/5 · GB App crashes daily: Please sort it out and fix the bugs! Very frustrating when you’re in the middle of reading and you have to delete and re download the app. App crashes constantly and I’m unable to click on anything in store or on menu
  23. [R48] Apple Books 2/5 · GB We want to see the books we are currently reading, before anything else.: Every tab on the app is filled with suggestions of what to read, and I literally have to go in a hunt for the books I’m actually currently reading. Take a page from Netflix’s ‘Continue Watching’ and show the books I actually have and am currently reading first! Or even second. On the homepage. It should not be the last sub
  24. [R77] Libby 5/5 · US BEST APP EVERRRRRRR!!!: I love the app! It’s easy to search for books and borrow them. I like the filters, you can put one that removes the books that are already borrowed by someone else. You can also place a hold on books. In conclusion, this app is amazing!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store