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Hoopla vs LibraryThing for Libraries

Hoopla logo

Hoopla

Libraries

Free library streaming app with instant borrowing, capped by a monthly checkout limit set by your library

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LibraryThing for Libraries logo

LibraryThing for Libraries

Libraries

Enrich your OPAC with social discovery features

From
$500/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Hoopla has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Hoopla the monthly borrow limit is a hard cap, so a heavy user runs out of checkouts partway through the month and simply cannot borrow more, unlike a queue they can wait out.; LibraryThing for Libraries oPAC enhancement only, not a complete library management system
  • They diverge on capability: Hoopla covers Instant borrowing, LibraryThing for Libraries covers Book cover images.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hoopla and LibraryThing for Libraries actually diverge.

Attributes where Hoopla and LibraryThing for Libraries differ
AttributeHooplaLibraryThing for Libraries
Starting priceFree$500/year
Pricing modelFree with a participating library card, capped by monthly borrow limitsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TVWeb, iOS, Android
FoundedUnknown2005

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Libraries).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Hoopla

  • Instant borrowing
  • Video and music
  • Monthly borrow cap
  • Comics and graphic novels
  • Kids mode
  • Offline downloads

Only in LibraryThing for Libraries

  • Book cover images
  • Similar books recommendations
  • Tag browsing
  • Series information
  • Author biographies
  • User reviews
  • Lexile measures
  • Awards information

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Hoopla

  • A patron who wants to watch a specific movie or listen to an album tonight without waiting in a queuenot LibraryThing for Libraries
  • A family wanting streaming video and music alongside books in one library-card appnot LibraryThing for Libraries
  • A light-to-moderate reader whose habits fit comfortably inside a monthly borrow capnot LibraryThing for Libraries
  • Someone using a Roku or Fire TV who wants library video content on the living room screennot LibraryThing for Libraries

LibraryThing for Libraries

  • OPAC enhancementnot Hoopla
  • Reader advisorynot Hoopla
  • Catalog enrichmentnot Hoopla
  • Discovery improvementnot Hoopla

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Hoopla

  • The monthly borrow limit is a hard cap, so a heavy user runs out of checkouts partway through the month and simply cannot borrow more, unlike a queue they can wait out.
  • Borrow limits and even Hoopla availability itself vary by library and can be reduced if a library needs to control its licensing costs, sometimes with little notice to patrons.
  • Because libraries pay per checkout, a library under budget pressure may cut its Hoopla limit or drop the service entirely, which is a risk outside the app.
  • The video and music catalogue is decent but noticeably smaller than Netflix or Spotify, so it is a supplement, not a replacement, for those services.
  • Audio and video quality and metadata are sometimes inconsistent, particularly for older or niche titles licensed from smaller distributors.

LibraryThing for Libraries

  • OPAC enhancement only, not a complete library management system

Pricing, plan by plan

Hoopla

Free
  • HooplaFree
    • Free with an eligible library card
    • Monthly borrow limit set by your library, commonly 5 to 15 items
    • No holds queues, instant availability

LibraryThing for Libraries

$500/year
  • Small Library$500/year
    • Book covers
    • Similar books
    • Tag browsing
  • Medium Library$1200/year
    • Everything in Small
    • Lexile measures
    • Author information
  • Large Library$2500/year
    • Everything in Medium
    • Stack maps
    • Custom widgets

Which should you pick?

Choose Hoopla if

  • You need instant borrowing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV.
  • You also want video and music.
Hoopla review

Choose LibraryThing for Libraries if

  • You need book cover images.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want similar books recommendations.
LibraryThing for Libraries review

Questions people ask

Is Hoopla or LibraryThing for Libraries better?
Neither clearly leads. Hoopla starts at Free and LibraryThing for Libraries at $500/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hoopla or LibraryThing for Libraries?
Hoopla has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Hoopla and $500/year for LibraryThing for Libraries.
Does Hoopla or LibraryThing for Libraries run on more platforms?
Hoopla runs on iOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV. LibraryThing for Libraries runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Hoopla for free?
Yes. Hoopla has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LibraryThing for Libraries starts at $500/year.
What is Hoopla best used for?
Hoopla is most often used for a patron who wants to watch a specific movie or listen to an album tonight without waiting in a queue, a family wanting streaming video and music alongside books in one library-card app, a light-to-moderate reader whose habits fit comfortably inside a monthly borrow cap, someone using a roku or fire tv who wants library video content on the living room screen. Of those, a patron who wants to watch a specific movie or listen to an album tonight without waiting in a queue and a family wanting streaming video and music alongside books in one library-card app are not what LibraryThing for Libraries is typically brought in for.
What can Hoopla do that LibraryThing for Libraries cannot?
Hoopla covers Instant borrowing, Video and music, Monthly borrow cap, Comics and graphic novels. LibraryThing for Libraries covers Book cover images, Similar books recommendations, Tag browsing, Series information.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hoopla: Does Hoopla have holds queues like Libby?

No, everything is available instantly, but your library sets a monthly limit on how many items you can borrow.

LibraryThing for Libraries: What does LibraryThing for Libraries add to an existing OPAC?

LibraryThing for Libraries enriches OPAC displays with tags, book reviews, ratings, series data, awards information, shelf browsing, similar books recommendations, and QR codes from over 153 million books.

Source
Hoopla: What happens when I hit my monthly limit?

You cannot borrow anything further until the limit resets, usually on the first of the next month.

LibraryThing for Libraries: How many tags does LibraryThing provide?

LibraryThing provides access to over 169 million library-vetted tags across 153 million books, enabling browse-based discovery beyond traditional keyword search.

Source
Hoopla: Does Hoopla include movies and music, not just books?

Yes, that is one of its main differences from Libby, which only offers ebooks, audiobooks and magazines.

LibraryThing for Libraries: Does LibraryThing offer mobile access?

Yes, Library Anywhere provides mobile web catalog access and native apps for iPhone and Android phones without installation or maintenance required.

Source
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