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

iCollect Books vs Libby

iCollect Books 4.6★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Tie
Libby 4.9★ · Free + IAP 70

Choose iCollect Books if you want a robust, customizable personal library cataloging system, even with its one-time cost, but pick Libby if you want free access to a wide range of library ebooks and audiobooks, despite potential wait times and search limitations.

Full reviews: iCollect Books · Libby

iCollect Books excels at personal collection management, offering detailed cataloging and customization for physical books, though it has a significant upfront cost after a limited free tier. Libby provides free access to library ebooks and audiobooks, making it excellent for readers on a budget, but users often face long wait times and report issues with its search functionality.

Head to head

Features & Customization edge: iCollect BooksR8R26R29R33
iCollect Books iCollect Books users appreciate its extensive customization options, allowing them to track special editions, add pictures, and organize collections in various ways R8R26R29. However, some users find the sorting options limited R33 and wish for more fields like Library of Congress numbers .
Libby Libby offers a wide selection of ebooks and audiobooks, often with audiobook versions available for many titles R68. Users can read on Kindle R68 and monitor loans . However, some users desire more advanced search capabilities, the ability to track previously read books R79, and more options for bookmarking .
Ease of Use & Scanning tieR1R4R6R14
iCollect Books iCollect Books is generally considered easy to use for cataloging R6, with some users praising its quick and efficient cataloging for large collections R14. However, the scanning feature can be clunky R4, sometimes provides incorrect book descriptions R1, or stops working . Manual entry can be tedious .
Libby Libby is praised for being easy to use for borrowing library books R89. However, users report issues with the search interface being terrible and not saving criteria R67R100, difficulty finding audio devices , and confusion about how to read a whole book versus a sample .
Reliability & Performance tieR12R24R28R31
iCollect Books iCollect Books has mixed reliability. Some users report it works as advertised and is stable . However, many users experienced data loss after updates or phone changes R28R31, crashes after purchasing upgrades R24, and issues with offline access R12.
Libby Libby generally performs well, with users praising its functionality . However, some users experience glitches like being randomly kicked out , audio issues on specific devices , and slow performance .
Price & Value edge: LibbyR3R7R13R16
iCollect Books iCollect Books offers a free tier with a strict limit of 30 books, after which users must pay $29.99 R13R16R19. This pricing model is a major point of contention, with many users feeling it's too expensive and not clearly disclosed upfront R3. Some users find the cost worthwhile for large collections R7.
Libby Libby is highly valued for being free, offering access to a vast library collection without subscription fees R68. The primary 'cost' for users is often long wait times for popular books R63.
Content Availability & Selection tieR2R8R12R48
iCollect Books iCollect Books is a cataloging app, not a content provider. It helps users track their own physical books, including special editions R8 and manga R2. It can find most books R8, but some users report having to manually enter details for many titles R48R12.
Libby Libby provides access to a wide range of ebooks and audiobooks from local libraries R68R89. However, users frequently complain about limited selection for certain genres R75, long wait times for popular books R63, and sometimes only audio versions being available for certain titles .
Pick iCollect Books if

you have a large personal book collection (physical or digital) that you want to meticulously catalog, track, and organize with custom fields and photos R8R26R29. It's also suitable if you frequently buy duplicates and need a robust system to prevent this .

Pick Libby if

you want free access to a wide variety of ebooks and audiobooks from your local library, are comfortable with potential wait times for popular titles, and primarily use it for reading or listening on your phone or Kindle R68.

Evidence note: Reviews for iCollect Books are primarily from users with large physical collections, while Libby reviews focus on digital borrowing. The free vs. paid model significantly influences user perception, with iCollect Books receiving more complaints about its pricing and limits.

Frequently asked

How many books can I add for free in iCollect Books?
You can add up to 30 books for free in iCollect Books R6R16. After reaching this limit, you need to pay $29.99 for the full version R13R19.
Does Libby offer a wide selection of books?
Libby offers a wide selection of ebooks and audiobooks from local libraries, with many users finding almost every book they are interested in R68R89. However, some users report limited selection for specific genres or authors, and popular titles often have long wait times R63R75.
Can I use iCollect Books offline?
iCollect Books users report that the database only shows without a connection about 10% of the time, making it an unreliable resource when out of the country or without internet access R12.
Are there any issues with Libby's search function?
Yes, many Libby users find the search interface terrible, reporting that it doesn't save standard search criteria and is generally weak, making it difficult to find what they are looking for R67R79R100R112.

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. [R8] iCollect Books 5/5 · US Great for Special Editions: Was looking for something to track my books, especially special editions. This has found every book but so far. The amount of editing you can do is great too.
  2. [R26] iCollect Books 5/5 · US Best I could find: I’ve got several thousand books that I’ve collected over the years. I had them in a database perhaps 20 years ago which crashed. It’s taken me thus long to get over that failure and get my collection organized. I reviewed multiple “best” lists for book collecting and this app was the best. What seemed unique was that I could add pictures of the actual book in the collection. For
  3. [R29] iCollect Books 4/5 · US Love this app but there are some bugs: I love this app, I can take pictures of my books, organize them pretty much however I like, as well as change the organization easily. It helps me know exactly what I have, making it easy when I go book shopping what I have or need. There are a few annoying bugs in the app. Sometimes when I am putting in a new books info it changes to another book I have al
  4. [R33] iCollect Books 3/5 · US Sort: Sort is very limited
  5. [R1] iCollect Books 1/5 · US Wrong the book showed up when I entered the ISBN: The very first book I scanned, came up with the correct cover for the book. I am scanning, the description is for the wrong book. I’m scanning a vintage sunset book called kingdoms for kids, but the description of the book that comes up is for a story, not a how to, something completely different. I don’t know if that’s because I’m scanning a vinta
  6. [R4] iCollect Books 2/5 · US Meh.: The scanning is clunky, but you can add pretty much any information you want.
  7. [R6] iCollect Books 3/5 · US Easy to use: The app is easy to use and has settings to set how you want your list to show. The app, only allows you to add 30 books. Once you’ve added 30 you’ll need to pay. It’s a little more than I was looking to pay, but over all is a nice app.
  8. [R14] iCollect Books 5/5 · US The Best Digital Inventory System!!: The iCollect Suite of apps for the various types of items is the best way of quickly and efficiently cataloging a large collection. I have a large library of books, music, and games and all 3 apps let me quickly create and maintain an accurate database of all my collection for ease of reference wither its on the go when shopping and I want to make sure I don’t
  9. [R12] iCollect Books 3/5 · US Not reliable: I’ve really tried to like this app, but it seems fairly clueless in finding e-books which I use due to frequent travel. I usually have to put most of the info in myself which is pretty time-consuming. I am out of the country frequently and do not always have access to internet. My database only shows without a connection about 10% of the time - making it an useless resource then. W
  10. [R24] iCollect Books 3/5 · US It was great until it crashed: I paid for the upgrade and it was great! I was looking at everything you could do in it and changed the theme color and it crashed. Now I can’t get it to open back up and I’ve scanned almost 400 books into it. I’m so mad I could cry. If I’m not able to get it to open again, I want a refund! I’m not paying $10 for an app that won’t open!
  11. [R28] iCollect Books 1/5 · US Scam!: I purchased this app years ago to be able to add all my books. Then they get hacked, all my info in removed, and now I cant add more than 30 books because my account was wiped out and NOW they are asking for $30 to add my books! Its a complete scam! Its not my fault you guys were hacked! Do not get this app, they cant keep our information safe and then we have to pay more money for their mi
  12. [R31] iCollect Books 1/5 · US Data is Gone! No Warning!: I have used Books for years. It helped me avoid purchasing duplicate for me and as gifts for others. Now, my list is gone. I would give a rating of 0 stars if that was an option.
  13. [R3] iCollect Books 3/5 · US Nice app: This is a nice app but I wish it would have an unlimited option or let the purchaser know the number limits ahead of time. As a teacher I have many books and even after purchasing the supposed unlimited option was only able to put in 50 books and now asking for more money. Makes this teacher not very happy.
  14. [R7] iCollect Books 2/5 · US Awesome app for large collections!: To tell you how much I love this app, let me start off by saying I don’t pay for apps. If it ain’t free, I don’t use them. But this one so impressed me after reaching my “free limit” of books that I decided to purchase the full version. And I have zero buyers’ remorse! And the one time a feature was added that was inconvenient, they responded quickly and chose t
  15. [R13] iCollect Books 1/5 · US Not free: You have to pay 29.99 to enter more than 30 books
  16. [R16] iCollect Books 2/5 · US Only 30 books allowed for free: As of 7/19/24, the max allowed of books scanned in for free is 30. This is ridiculous, as anybody who is scanning ISBN’s to add to a list has a large quantity of books
  17. [R2] iCollect Books 5/5 · US Great for keeping track of books: I love this app for keeping track of my books because sometimes I forget which one I already have in a series and it’s nice to just be able to open my phone and be like ok I already have that one. Especially since I read a lot of manga. 🤣
  18. [R48] iCollect Books 3/5 · GB Who's doing the work here.: Had this App now for a number of years, and never really any problems. And yet you know there is a 'but' coming here, so here it is. But recently, and at an alarming rate I am finding that I'm having to fill in all the details. Title, author, cover picture, etc etc. Now I'm more than prepared to accept the odd one, yet the last 20 odd plus? Sorry, no. I still rate the a
  19. [R19] iCollect Books 1/5 · US Costs $30: $30 to have more than 50. $30. Insane.
  20. [R63] Libby 3/5 · US Kind of disappointed: Most of the books I request seem to have Long lists of holds ahead of me, or are the property of another library and Not available to me. Confusing and disappointing.
  21. [R68] Libby 5/5 · US Now my most used app: Thanks to Libby, I have returned to my oldest love. Why I love the app: - it has almost every book I’ve ever been interested in reading n - most books have audiobook versions too which is great for a busy mom like me - ebooks can be easily read in my kindle - I don’t have to spend money on reading - I now read 40* books a year.
  22. [R75] Libby 3/5 · US Nice but..: It’s a really good app but has such a limited selection.
  23. [R89] Libby 5/5 · US I love borrowing all the different books: I would rate this 5 stars 🤩 love it such a useful app if you don’t want to go to the actual library.
  24. [R67] Libby 1/5 · US reading good,search interface terrible: The reading experience is good The text is clear,the pages are numbered, you canchange the text size,search the manuscript, get instant definitions, use the table of contents and see what percentage of the book you've read. However finding what I'm looking for is awful, and theykeepmaking changes that make itworse. IHave a standard search criteria which th
  25. [R79] Libby 2/5 · US Very weak search capabilities, no indication you’ve already read something: need AI type search capabilities. Come on this is 2026. Part of the search should be whether you’ve read the title in the past either on book or on audiobook and when.
  26. [R100] Libby 2/5 · GB Search function is really poor . But the main issue is lack of science and engineering books: Please redo the search function. Secondly don’t show books we can borrow. What is the point.
  27. [R112] Libby 1/5 · GB AWFUL: Just about the worst piece of software I have ever come across. Functionality- terrible. Ease of use - find an adjective worse than terrible. Search function- useless. I cannot find one good thing to say about this app and 1 star is too generous

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